This podcast is made in partnership with the United States Forest Service, Region 6.


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Meet Your Hosts

Rachel Franchina

Rachel Franchina is a recreation planner and facilitator with more than 25 years of experience in visitor use planning, project management, and stakeholder engagement. She specializes in helping agencies and organizations set clear management direction that balances visitor experiences with resource protection. Rachel has led collaborative planning efforts across federal and state agencies, nonprofits, and local communities, and brings deep expertise in outdoor access, sustainable recreation, and public land stewardship.

Angie Braley

Angie Braley is an educator and outdoor professional with a passion for equitable access, conservation, and sustainable recreation. With a background in cultural anthropology and over a decade of experience as a rafting, sea kayaking, and hiking guide, Angie blends academic insight with hands-on adventure. She designs training programs that empower recreation professionals to create inclusive and impactful outdoor experiences. Angie is a former Fellow with the Center for Collaborative Conservation, a National Geographic Young Explorer, and a recipient of the U.S. Forest Service Chief’s Award. She calls Southern Oregon home, where she spends her free time rafting with her husband and dog, traveling, fishing, and chasing good tacos.

Intro and outro music by Studious Music Studios

Produced by Rebecca Maguire

Welcome to Planning the Wild, the podcast designed for U.S. Forest Service  professionals and partners working to enhance outdoor recreation experiences on national forest lands in the Pacific Northwest. Each episode offers practical strategies, expert interviews, and field-based insights to support effective planning and management of recreation resources. From navigating NEPA and forest planning processes to designing sustainable infrastructure and managing visitor use, this show helps you support the outdoor recreation economy, public access and stewardship goals. Whether you're new to recreation planning or a seasoned specialist, this is your resource for making smart, informed decisions that serve both people and the land.