“National parks are sacred not because of what we build, but because of what we protect.”
When Sam Gennawey joins a conversation, you know you’re about to explore the story behind the story. Sam’s latest book, Sacred Landscapes, takes readers on a six-year, 175,000-mile journey through national parks from the lens of someone who’s quite literally lived it.
Sam is such a seasoned storyteller, and his love for our parks and public lands runs deep. As someone known for writing about theme parks and urban design, Sam brings a unique perspective to the wilderness. He draws connections between how we design places for people to gather and how we preserve spaces for people to be transformed.
One of the most moving parts of our conversation was when Sam talked about national parks as sacred ground. He doesn’t just mean beautiful landscapes. He’s referring to the feeling these places stir in us. Those feelings of awe, reverence, curiosity, and reflection.
We also touched on what it means to document stories and experiences, something Sam does beautifully in this new book. Whether you work in parks, love them from a distance, or are still trying to find your place outdoors, this conversation will remind you why our public lands matter.
Connect with Sam Gennawey
Get the book Sacred Landscapes
Discover Books by Sam Gennawey
Resources
https://parkleaders.com/about/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/
Notable Moments
[00:00:20.320] Introduction of Sacred Landscapes
[00:01:23.010] Sam’s unexpected inspiration to write the book
[00:08:14.120] The emotional transformation of spending years on the road
[00:18:03.540] National parks vs. theme parks — how they serve the public differently
[00:31:45.600] Designing places that spark reverence
[00:49:45.430] The legacy Sam hopes Sacred Landscapes will leave