Kimo Laughlin: Eastern Sierras / Central Valley, California

Mike Foote is a pro mountain runner, race director, public lands conservation advocate, and new dad. He has been pushing the limits of mountain endurance for over a decade across the globe, but now Mike's most important focus is at home - in his home region, on his home trails, in his backyard with his family. We talk about the value and public land stewardship, what it’s like having a little kid as a pro athlete, why knowing where your food comes from is so important, and how conservation brings together multiple stakeholders for ecosystem resilience.thebackyardstories.comIG @the.backyard.storiesWritten column TRAIL RUNNER MAGWhere to find MIKE FOOTE:IG @MIKEFOOTEMTCreator and host Jonnah Perkins IG @_.jonnahThe Backyard Stories is presented by Protect Our Winters and Trail Runner Magazine Editing by Jesse PerkinsOriginal music by Dudley Noon

Nick Brown grew up building forts in banana trees in his family's historic orchard in Southern California and he has now dedicated his career to subtropical fruit production. The 2017 Thomas Fire devastated a third of his family's orchard. So Nick is working ahead to be prepared for the next wildfire because fire seasons are getting longer and more intense throughout the state of California. Nick is a former trail guide and surf instructor and loves to spend time in the ocean and on trails when his fruit trees give him a break. Nick owns a direct-to-consumer fruit delivery company called Rincon Tropics so he can share rare fruit varieties from his family's orchard directly from the farm. Nick's passion for fruit extends to the care he takes in stewarding his landscape.thebackyardstories.comIG @the.backyard.storiesWritten column TRAIL RUNNER MAGWhere to find NICK BROWN:IG @RINCONTROPICSCreator and host Jonnah Perkins IG @_.jonnahThe Backyard Stories is presented by Protect Our Winters and Trail Runner Magazine Editing by Jesse PerkinsOriginal music by Dudley Noon

After traveling the western hemisphere in search of adventure, Dani Reyes-Acosta has brought her four season athlete life to a rooted home in southwest Colorado. Here Dani is dependent on and protective of her home landscape. Through trail running, climbing, and snowboarding, she has embedded herself in storytelling and diversity advocacy in the OUTDOOR STATE. In addition to her life as an athlete-leader, Dani also grows much of her own food with her partner, Johnny, raising a small flock of ducks, along with vegetables and tree fruits. Her permaculture project has shown her that the connection between our food and our adventure spaces are never far apart. thebackyardstories.comIG @the.backyard.storiesWritten column TRAIL RUNNER MAGSPONSORED BY JANJIWhere to find DANI REYES ACOSTA:IG @notlostjustdiscoveringCreator and host Jonnah Perkins IG @_.jonnahThe Backyard Stories is presented by Protect Our Winters and Trail Runner Magazine Editing by Jesse PerkinsOriginal music by Dudley Noon

After spending four years living and working in Yosemite National Park, Kimo Laughlin made the life changing decision to move back to his family's orchard in California's Central Valley. He is now building his life around fruit and nut production while also trying to keep a foot in the mountains to stay close to his passion for climbing, running, and fly fishing. Kimo is a vocal leader in the conversation around affordable water for small farmers and clean water for those living and working in agricultural l communities.thebackyardstories.comIG @the.backyard.storiesWritten column TRAIL RUNNER MAGWhere to find KIMO LAUGHLIN:IG @stephaniemariehoweCreator and host Jonnah Perkins IG @_.jonnahThe Backyard Stories is presented by Protect Our Winters and Trail Runner Magazine Editing by Jesse PerkinsOriginal music by Dudley Noon

As a professional trail runner, nutritionist, and mother, Stephanie Howe organizes her life around food. She has been a longtime supporter of local agriculture and sources much for her food from the San Rafael Farmers Market, near her home in Marin County, California. Stephanie is an advocate for clean air, a growing issue for the San Francisco Bay Area, and much of the Mountain West. She is the Protect Our Winters Trail Alliance team captain.thebackyardstories.comIG @the.backyard.storiesWritten column TRAIL RUNNER MAGWhere to find STEPHANIE HOWE:stephaniemariehowe.comIG @stephaniemariehoweCreator and host Jonnah Perkins IG @_.jonnahThe Backyard Stories is presented by Protect Our Winters and Trail Runner Magazine Editing by Jesse PerkinsOriginal music by Dudley Noon