Bob Krumenaker, a seasoned conservationist (over 41 years with the NPS) and former superintendent of Big Bend National Park, discusses the ecological, cultural, and political stakes involved with the proposed border wall construction in the remote, environmentally rich area of Big Bend National Park. Learn about why Big Bend is a sanctuary worth protecting and how local communities and conservation advocates are turning the tide against intrusive border infrastructure.

In this episode:

• Bob shares his extensive career in the National Park Service and his deep connection to desert ecosystems.
• The unique geological and biological highlights that make Big Bend nationally significant.
• How border security policies threaten biodiversity, night skies, water resources, and local communities.
• The current status of border wall proposals and the bipartisan opposition rallying to preserve Big Bend's wild character.
• The legal and political efforts underway, including wilderness designation, to secure long-term protection.
• Practical ways for the public to get involved and support conservation efforts in their areas.
• Lessons from Big Bend about community cooperation and environmental advocacy.

Resources & Links:

• Keep Big Bend Wild
• Big Bend National Park Official Site
• Wilderness Act of 1964
• Border Wall Map & Updates

Note: This interview sheds light on critical environmental and political issues facing public lands today. Your voice and involvement matter—learn more and take action through the links provided.

In this episode of the Safe Travels Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Cavin, Fossil Preparator and Lab Manager at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, to explore one of the most overlooked roles in paleontology: fossil preparation.

When most people think about paleontology, they picture scientists excavating fossils in the field. But behind every museum-quality fossil specimen is a highly skilled fossil preparator, the meticulous expert who stabilizes, cleans, preserves, and reconstructs fossils for scientific research and public display.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• What a Fossil Preparator actually does in a paleontology lab
• The difference between field excavation and laboratory fossil preparation
• Mechanical prep vs. chemical prep techniques
• How air scribes, micro sandblasters, and adhesives are used to reveal fossils
• The delicate process of removing matrix without damaging bone
• The relationship between fossil preparators and paleontologists
• Why preparators are critical to peer-reviewed scientific research
• The physical health risks of fossil prep, including silica dust exposure and repetitive strain injuries
• Conservation ethics and preserving fossils for future generations

Jennifer explains why fossil preparators are the unsung heroes of paleontology. Without their precision and technical expertise, many fossil discoveries, including ancient mammals like early horses, camels, and saber-toothed predators from the John Day Basin, would never be studied, published, or displayed.
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In this episode of Safe Travels, I’m joined by Dr. Nick Famoso, Paleontology Program Manager at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, for a fascinating deep dive into one of the richest fossil regions in North America.

We explore the incredible geology of the John Day Basin, how millions of years of volcanic activity helped preserve ancient life, and the remarkable fossil record of prehistoric mammals that once roamed the Pacific Northwest — including some of the earliest horses, ancient rhinos, camels, and dog-like predators that filled a weasel-style ecological niche.

Dr. Famoso also explains why fossil teeth are some of the most important clues paleontologists use to identify species, understand diets, and reconstruct ancient ecosystems.

Whether you’re curious about paleontology careers, fossil hunting science, or the evolution of mammals, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how scientists piece together Earth’s deep past.

Topics Covered

• Geologic history of the John Day Basin
• How volcanoes helped preserve fossils
• Evolution of early horses and mammals
• Ancient rhinos, camels, and carnivorous “dog-weasels”
• Why fossil teeth are critical to paleontology
• What makes John Day Fossil Beds so scientifically important
• Careers in paleontology and working in national parks

About Safe Travels

Safe Travels is a storytelling podcast focused on national parks, public lands, conservation, science, and the people who protect these places. New episodes feature park rangers, scientists, historians, and explorers from across the country.

If you enjoyed this episode:

Like, subscribe, and share to help more people discover the stories behind our national parks.
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