Color Country Podcast

For journalist & storyteller Stephanie DeGraw, childhood summers at the Grand Canyon's North Rimwere filled with the scent of juniper, ponderosa pine, and summer rain. Those days shaped her love for public lands and inspired the work she does today.Hear Stephanie's story on the Color Country Podcast, wherepersonal memories meet timeless landscapes.

'The stakes have never been higher': What is America's Red Rock Wilderness Act? Advocates say the passage of America's Red Rock Wilderness Act is crucial for protecting Southern Utah's economies dependent on tourism, wildlife and cultural resources. The region is the ancestral home of many Native American tribes.Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance Director Travis Hammill speaks with host Stephanie DeGraw about how these lands are vulnerable to destruction due to plans to potentially drill for oil in Southern Utah.

As the call of the wild beckons, the number of visitors to Utah's state parks continues to climb. As a result, officials are asking visitors to do more preplanning and responsible recreating this season.Devan Chavez, Utah Division of State Parks associate director, tells Host Stephanie DeGraw that Utah's state parks experience a significant increase in tourism yearly. He said that with a 33% rise during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor numbers jumped from 7.9 million in 2019 to 12.9 million in 2024."The word is out on Utah, especially Southern Utah. Year over year, especially at state parks, we're seeing increases," Chavez said. "So, know before you go. Check before you outdoor recreate. Look at park conditions before getting on the road. I do not want people to arrive at a park and be surprised that there might be a line or a wait to get in."

April is Dark Skies Month, and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes event hopes to encourage families to explore nature’s wonders after dark through hands-on activities. Attendees will have educational telescope-viewing sessions, free sand surfing, a s’mores bar, and a night sky-themed craft station. Participants will earn the specialedition “Starry Skies” sticker to add to their collection. Weilersaid the StarrySkies Challenge offersfamilies away tounplug, look up and discover the wonders of Utah’s dark skies. Shesaid that its a fun way for childrent to not only connect withastronmers and outdoor educators but they can learn about nature,astronomyand night sky preservation. When:Friday,April 25 7:00 pm.– 10:30 p.m. Where:CoralPink Sand Dunes State Park Coral Pink Sand Dunes Road, Kanab, Utah

Jim Kirkland, state paleontologist with the Utah Geological Survey, discusses the “paleontological jackpot” of one of North America’s top Jurassic period track sites recently discovered in St. George, Utah, hosted by Stephanie DeGraw.

Exploring the striking, vast landscapes of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument as a young girl, a Southern Utah University senior and budding paleontologist says the land connects the past to the present.Madison (Madi) Syrett-Watkins talks with Host Stephanie DeGraw about how her dinosaur journey began near her hometown of Tropic, Utah. Prehistoric mysteries dotted her childhood as she and her family explored the area between the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Bryce Canyon National Park. She discovered her first fossil when she was 14 on Utah's public lands. "One of the coolest things about paleontology is how it connects the past to the present. You can see how different species adapted or didn't to environmental shifts, and that can be really important and apply to the modern day," Syrett-Watkins said. "We can use what we've learned from the past to influence the present and the future."

Stephanie DeGraw interviews Tiffany Stofer, the Director of Development at the Zion National Park Forever Project. They discuss the 2024 Field Guide projects, including the Cedar Breaks Visitor Center and the partnership with the Dixie National Forest. They also discuss the importance of public support and donations in funding these and other projects.

The Northern Corridor highway would be a four-lane highway that would slice through the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area to the northwest and northeast of St. George, Utah. Join host Stephanie DeGraw and Dr. William Mader.

The popular Calf Creek Recreation Site in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Utah will be closed for two months beginning in July. Harry Barber, Bureau of Land Management Paria River District Manager speaks with host Stephanie DeGraw about the upgrades and improvements.

"Hiking Waterfalls Utah: A Guide to the State's Best Waterfall Hikes" by author Stewart M. Green is discussed with host Stephanie DeGraw. Green shares his process for selecting and hiking to waterfalls in Utah. He chats about responsible hiking and tips for staying safe. Green shares his favorite hikes in Utah, including those in the Wasatch Range, Davis Creek, Moab and southern Utah.