Hemlocks to Hellbenders
Christian Alexandersen
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About This Podcast
Hemlocks to Hellbenders is an award-winnning podcast hosted by Christian Alexandersen highlighting Pennsylvania’s parks, forests and great outdoors.
Our episodes feature engaging conversations with park managers, forest rangers, scientists, educators, outdoor recreationalists, volunteers, officials and more that help you plan your next adventure in the Commonwealth's incredible parks and forests.
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Recent Episodes
S4E12 New to nature? Find free inclusive, guided activities with Centred Outdoors
For every Pennsylvanian that grew up stomping through creeks, wandering through the woods and exploring our magnificent forests, there’s many more that are just discovering the outdoors. Maybe they…
S4E11 What's killing Pennsylvania's trees and how DCNR’s fighting it
The more time I’ve spent outdoors, the more I’ve learned about the threats our trees face here in Pennsylvania. It seems like every other day I’m finding out about a new disease or invasive plant or…
S4E10 Little Buffalo State Park - Activities, events and history bring visitors year-round to Perry County
Little Buffalo State Park is the place that kicked off my love for Pennsylvania’s state parks. I’ve told this story many times, but I’ll do it quickly here right now. In 2020, my wife Abby and I were…
S4E9 Appreciating the sound of silence with Quiet Parks International
What does it mean for a place to be truly quiet? It’s a question I’ve been pondering over the last several months following a webinar from the Keystone Trails Association and Pennsylvania Parks and…
S4E8 The arduous task of creating a trail from scratch with Appalachian Dirt
There’s a lot of thoughts that float through our minds when we’re out on the trails hiking. Am I in the right career? Is that snake poisonous? Look at that beautiful view! Did I leave the oven on? I…
S4E7 Upper Pine Bottom State Park - Don't blink or you'll miss it
Driving down Route 44 from Lycoming County to Montgomery County, you may be able to spot a brief break in the trees and rhododendrons. It’s so quick that if you blink, you’ll miss it. But if you slow…
S4E6 Little Pine State Park - Surrounded by mountains, filled with activities
If you’ve ever stood beside a cold mountain stream at first light — mist rising off the water, hemlocks towering overhead and the gentle sound of moving water— then you already understand the magic…
S4E5 Washington Crossing Historic Park - Experience the American Revolution's boldest endeavor
It’s December 26th, 1776. Gen. George Washington has just successfully gotten 2,400 men from the Continental Army across the Delaware River from Pennsylvania into New Jersey. The first year of the…
S4E4 Trough Creek State Park – Where rugged cliffs, creeks and waterfalls shape a wild landscape
When I was on my journey of running one mile in all-then 121 Pennsylvania state parks in 2021, I took notes after every run. It was an effort to make sure I would remember my experiences. I’d take…
S4E3 Pymatuning State Park - Explore the largest lake in Pennsylvania, where ducks walk on the backs of fish
Pymatuning State Park is big in every sense of the word. It is the largest state park in Pennsylvania. Its Pymatuning Reservoir is the largest lake in Pennsylvania. And it’s one of the most visited…
S4E2 Celebrating Pennsylvania's historic place in America's 250th birthday
The story of the United States of America cannot be told without Pennsylvania. Independence Hall. The Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia. The Liberty Bell. Benjamin Franklin. George…
S4E1 Exploring ancient rock carvings in the Susquehanna River with Paul Nevin
Hundreds of years ago, a group of Native Americans living along the lower Susquehanna River made an indelible mark on the valley. At what is now known as Safe Harbor, they made hundreds of carvings…
S4 Hemlocks to Hellbenders Season 4 Trailer
Welcome, fellow explorers. My name is Christian Alexandersen and I’m the host of Hemlocks to Hellbenders, a podcast highlighting Pennsylvania’s parks, forests and great outdoors.Season four of…
S3E22 Feeling posh? Try one of Pennsylvania's new state park glamping sites
For a long time, there’s been this mostly unspoken rule that “real” outdoor experiences have to be rugged. You’ve got to rough it, hike ten miles in the rain, sleep on the ground and eat beans from a…
S3E21 Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center - How one tree led to a thriving outdoor classroom
In Pennsylvania, every state park has its purpose. Allegheny Islands shows people what undeveloped islands once looked like on the river. Colton Point features stunning views of the Pennsylvania…
S3E20 Under the surface of the Keystone State with geologist Russell Losco
One of the strangest things about getting older has been the shift in my interests. Despite being intensely curious as a kid, I never cared about nature growing up. I didn’t climb trees or capture…
S3E19 Salt Springs State Park - Explore ancient hemlocks, waterfalls and wildflowers in NEPA
What is it that makes a state park special? It’s a question I’ve asked my self countless times since I began exploring Pennsylvania’s public lands in 2021. For some it’s deep, meaningful history to…
S3E18 Uncovering the battles that scarred Pennsylvania's public lands with author Brady J. Crytzer
When people think about history, especially armed conflicts, many picture dusty textbooks, old maps and long-forgotten generals. But here in Pennsylvania, history isn’t just words on a page—it’s…
S3E18 Connecting communities through conservation with the South Mountain Partnership
When you stand on the ridgeline of South Mountain and look out across the valleys, you see more than just trees and farmland. You see orchards stretching toward the horizon, you see trails that have…
S3E18 Hyner Run & Hyner View State Parks - Uncover adventure in the forest & in the clouds
When you stand at the edge of Hyner View State Park, it feels like Pennsylvania has stretched itself out just for you. Rolling mountains covered in endless green, the West Branch of the Susquehanna…
Frequently Asked Questions
Hemlocks to Hellbenders has published 88 episodes since January 2023, covering topics in Nature, Places & Travel.
Hemlocks to Hellbenders is currently highly active with new episodes every 2 weeks. Average episode length is 45m.
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