In this opening episode of the Ranger PamPaw Podcast, retired National Park Service ranger Mark Tezel introduces the journey ahead—one shaped by a lifetime in America’s national parks.From a first visit to Big Bend National Park at just one year old to a career that began in 1989, Ranger PamPaw reflects on how these places shaped his values, perspective, and sense of stewardship. Now retired, he shares why stepping out of the uniform doesn’t mean stepping away from the parks.This podcast is about stories, context, and hard-earned wisdom—not hype or travel checklists. Season 1 will explore how parks really work, ranger experiences, fire and wildlife, change over time, and why America’s national parks remain one of our greatest shared ideas.If you care about national parks, public lands, and the stories they preserve, this podcast is for you.

Thanks for joining me on the trail today.

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Visit www.tezelsontheroad.com/rangerpampaw or email me at rangerpampaw@tezelsontheroad.com.

Thanks for walking the trail with me.

I’ll see you in the park.