Park Leaders Show
298 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 days ago - ★★★★★ - 44 ratingsPark Leaders connects the wisdom of Park Managers, leaders in the park system, and thought leaders of the business world with up and coming park leaders. This is the show for Park Rangers, Park Managers, and leaders who want to have an impact. Join host Jody Maberry as he talks to park leaders from all over the world.
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Episodes
Creating Experiences for Normal People
April 09, 2024 08:00 - 23 minutes - 26 MB"The general public is not impressed with how much you know. They're impressed with how much you've inspired them to know more about the places they visit." Key Moments 02:04 Creating Park Experiences for New Visitors 07:10 The Challenge of Information Overload in the Digital Era 10:35 Historical Communication and Public Engagement 16:02 Inspire Learning through Augmented Reality Historical Storytelling 18:08 Instant Information Access on Learning 21:19 Contact for creating pa...
Volunteer Projects to Enhance Tourism
April 02, 2024 08:00 - 29 minutes - 32.3 MB"We have to do more things with younger people to make sure they know what a cool industry we are and that there are so many different job opportunities that aren't just front line." Key Moments 04:35 Tourism Synergy and Collaboration 08:37 Empowering Youth to Make a Positive Impact 14:50 Revitalizing Urban Parks and Workforce Development. 19:03 Building Partnerships for Environmental Conservation 20:26 Historic Site Preservation 23:50 Community Support in the Tourism Industr...
The Role of a Park Director
March 26, 2024 08:00 - 28 minutes - 31.4 MB"A good new part director has a vision. And and if you want to make a difference and leave your mark, you have to have vision of where you want to take your agency in the next year, in the next 3 years, and in the next 5 years." Key Moments 06:53 Recognize the need to act as leader. 11:39 Watch what you say, people are listening. 13:38 Build on core values, ethics, and vision. 18:28 New directors often overwhelmed, need readiness training. 21:35 Stay close to service, vision, mo...
Leadership is a Choice
March 19, 2024 08:00 - 28 minutes - 30.7 MB“Go sit on a rock in your favorite spot somewhere and do a very serious self-assessment. What am I good at? What am I not good at? What do I like to do? What do I don't like to do? And if you don't want to be out there in the lead, if you don't want to be out there taking some risk, if you don't want to get up in front of audiences, don't put yourself in that position." Key Moments 01:45 Starting a Career in Parks and Recreation 06:37 Ranger Experience in Yosemite 10:31 Toxic Work En...
Finding the Return on Investment in Interpretation
March 12, 2024 08:00 - 28 minutes - 31 MB“People can't fall in love with your park if they're lost." Key Moments 03:49 Law enforcement rangers use interpretation to influence. 07:05 Expanding park interpretive products for diverse experiences. 09:56 Framework for visitor experience in parks and its application across different contexts. 13:53 Problem-solving strategies for adaptation. 19:08 ROI of interpretive programs for park rangers. 21:54 The challenges of parks to increase diversity amid visitor influx. 23:14 D...
Managing Protected Areas
March 05, 2024 09:00 - 34 minutes - 36.2 MB"Part of the narrative that we find ourselves in is talking about creating areas that are protected for people, not from people." Key Moments 02:57 Conservation and Community Participation 05:29 Rethinking Conservation Strategies 14:57 Conservation Training in Latin America 17:22 International Conservation Collaboration 22:05 Importance of Nature on Human Health 23:54 Global Tourism Program Facilitates Cross-Cultural Exchange and Learning. 27:13 Global Conservation Efforts ...
Answering Questions About Being a Park Ranger
February 27, 2024 09:00 - 55 minutes - 55.9 MB"If you're going to be really good at it, you're passionate about it. You believe that you're doing something that's bigger than just collecting a paycheck." Key Moments 02:05 Inspiration for a Career in Park Rangers 06:13 Evolving Qualifications for Park Rangers 08:39 The Importance of Passion in Career Choices 21:38 Evolution of Park Rangers and Park Management 31:44 Job Application Strategies and Power of Networking 45:11 The Importance of Work-Life Balance in the Great Outd...
Document History
December 05, 2023 09:00 - 29 minutes - 25.2 MB"Sometimes we forget, or perhaps even take for granted, the significant role that we may be we may be playing in this legacy that we call parks." Episode HIghlights 01:07 Significance of national parks and our role in preserving parks. 04:53 Organic Act of 1916 shaped National Park Service. 06:49 Lack of agreement among states led to individual state park systems. 10:05 Need to actively preserve and utilize information for future generations. 16:08 Challenge of storing, organizin...
People Come First in Parks
November 28, 2023 09:00 - 34 minutes - 28.8 MB“If you offer something specific, not only are you offering to help, but that shows that you see them as a person and that you're recognizing their specific needs rather than just generalized to the general population." Episode Highlights 03:39 Creating a podcast about parks and the opportunities that come from it. 09:02 Recommendations can be reliable and chance encounters facilitate connections. 10:15 Being open to opportunities and making connections has led to getting great podca...
The Impact of Local Conservation
October 31, 2023 08:00 - 23 minutes - 26.2 MB“those little tidbits of information really help park and conservation leaders be better in their jobs, be better stewards of the resources, and just be better community leaders." – Chris Lee Episode Highlights [00:02:21] Importance of local parks and conservation efforts. [00:03:53] Parks offer a strong community presence and finding solace in nature. [00:08:01] Park rangers connect people to experiences with the outdoors. [00:11:59] Always strive to improve leadership skills. ...
Manage Like a Mother
October 10, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes - 32.4 MB"When your mother was not setting expectation properly and yet was keeping you accountable, it felt unfair. You remember that. So take those learnings and apply them in the workforce..." – Valerie Cockerell The skills and experiences of motherhood translate into essential and effective leadership skills. Valerie Cockerell started to find similarities between the challenges of managing a park to the struggles of parenting. Throughout our conversation, she emphasizes the valuable skills moth...
The Future of Camping
October 03, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes - 33.1 MB"... they don't have to make conservation their top priority. So you combine those 2, and they are really doing some innovative things around camping." The increasing demand for camping in natural parks has impacted the future of camping. Companies are taking notice and working to proactively prepare for this growing interest. During this conversation, Donald Forgione joins to talk about camping trends and innovations and how it's evolving to meet the growing demand. There continues to a...
Reviewing the 2023 State Park Director's Conference
September 26, 2023 08:00 - 21 minutes - 24.5 MB"What you're doing is making a difference not only for this generation, but if you do it right, it's making a difference for future generations." Phil Gaines and I had the chance to record an episode together while attending the 2023 State Park Director's Conference at the Mormon State Historic Site in Genoa, Nevada. It was the perfect opportunity to discuss our experiences at the conference, with Phil sharing his unique perspective as a former park director now representing Clemson Univer...
Managing the Capacity Dilemma
September 12, 2023 08:00 - 30 minutes - 32.6 MBCapacity is a big challenge for this generation, especially post-pandemic. We need to rethink how we get people into these special places while preserving their natural beauty and ensuring a meaningful and enjoyable experience. - Phil Gaines As national park attendance continues to increase, managing visitor numbers has become crucial. The pressure is on park officials to accommodate the influx, while ensuring a quality and safe experience for all. As a seasoned park ranger, Phil Gaines...
Transforming Neglected Parks into Community Assets
August 22, 2023 08:00 - 21 minutes - 24.3 MB"The more interaction you have with nature, the healthier you are mentally and physically." - Dan Biederman Dan Biederman is an expert in urban redevelopment, who discovered a profound love for the outdoors at a young age. He dreamed of becoming a forest ranger, but lacked the scientific background. Instead, he found himself as a systems consultant in the heart of midtown Manhattan. A chance encounter with Bryant Park, a neglected public park in New York City, led him to his true calling;...
Searching for Missing Hikers
August 01, 2023 08:00 - 27 minutes - 30.4 MB"I really wanted to tell the truth behind the beautiful scenery." In a world of rugged landscapes and unpredictable elements, park rangers and first responders face challenges that test their limits. Sometimes that work can include critical tasks such as searching for missing hikers. Andrea Lankford is a former National Park Service ranger who joins to share her insights on the importance of firefighting and law enforcement in parks. Andrea's love for the outdoors lead her to study ...
The Role of an Assistant Park Manager
July 11, 2023 08:00 - 31 minutes - 34 MB"The exposure that assistant managers have to total park operations is tremendous." Managing a park isn't a one-person job. It's a combination of efforts from different individuals with the role of the assistant park manager quite significant. Phil Gaines and I explore the hidden challenges and crucial responsibilities they have. An assistant park manager has to understand how that park operates as a business to fully fulfill their role. Join our conversation about the wild world of park m...
The Politics of Parks
June 13, 2023 08:00 - 22 minutes - 25.5 MB"Focus on common objectives and goals, you can get to where you want to be without being divisive." When people first enter the world of park management, they don't expect to be involved in politics. Yet, as time goes on it's not uncommon to find yourself at the center of political discussions on issues like land use and resource management. It is important to focus on governance rather than personal politics. Politics affects everyone in parks, from park rangers to directors. Parks ...
Dealing with Park Visitors Who Misbehave
June 06, 2023 08:00 - 23 minutes - 26.6 MB"The customer is rarely right, but they're always the customer." Phil Gaines joins to discuss the surge in misbehavior among park visitors after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a number of factors that could have caused this increase. One is the increase in new visitors who were not familiar with the park's rules and regulations. Like many places, there also seemed to be a lack of customer service focus among staff. Both of those combined creates the inherent difficulty in ma...
Conversations for Park Professionals
May 16, 2023 08:00 - 19 minutes - 22.9 MBIn this episode of the Park Leaders Show I am joined by Donald Forgione, retired director of Florida state parks. Now I also get to welcome him as the host of the podcast, Tailgate Talks. Donald's diverse skillset made him a valuable asset among park professionals. As he shared his experiences and knowledge with others, he discovered a common thread among park rangers: they all possessed a deep sense of service and duty. With his podcast, Donald is going to be able to help even more people...
Get Your Park Ready for Summer
April 18, 2023 08:00 - 21 minutes - 24.2 MB"If you educate and train your employees on the very front end, it makes for so much better summer season." Spring is here and the parks are already starting to get busy with visitors. That is why it is important that you get your park ready for summer well in advance of their arrival. Part of taking the time to get the park ready includes making sure all the employees are trained and educated for a busy season. Iif you don't do the little things to prepare, the season could prove to be ...
Maintaining View Sheds in Parks
March 28, 2023 08:00 - 23 minutes - 26.8 MB"Leadership is hard because it's a gray decision. It's not a black and white decision. You have to take a breath, take two steps back, and figure out what the objective is and why the resource is being protected in order to make the right decision." - Phil Gaines Phil Gaines recently attended the California Parks training conference. He joins this episode to share what he learned there as well as his wealth of experience in park management and viewshed protection. One unexpected experienc...
How to Deal with a Shortage of Seasonal Staff
February 28, 2023 09:00 - 26 minutes - 29.3 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the ways parks can manage seasonal staff shortages. While park careers have their perks, the challenge of filling them is increasing in today’s climate. As Phil explains, recruiters are not only struggling to compete with other industry compensations but also to confirm interest from a remote audience. Since many park positions require onsite involvement, finding the right candidate can be arduous pend...
The Rise of Environmental Law
February 14, 2023 09:00 - 30 minutes - 32.6 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Jody welcomes guest Daniel Selmi to discuss the rise of environmental law. Dan is a retired Professor at Loyola Law School and joins the show to discuss his new book, “Dawn at Mineral King Valley”. A Disney aficionado, Selmi discusses the inspiration behind the book and unpacks Disney’s struggle to build a ski resort in what is now Sequoia National Park. Amidst the legal battle between the Sierra Club and the National Park Service, Selmi discloses ...
The Biggest Issues for Parks in 2023
December 27, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 29.8 MBOn this episode of Park Leaders Show Donald Forgione joins to discuss some of the biggest issues in parks in 2023. Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/
Balancing Tourism and Local Communities
December 13, 2022 09:00 - 26 minutes - 28.9 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Lori Modde, Founder & Managing Director of Lorick Management, joins the show discuss the balance of tourism and community development. As a community and economic development expert with over 25 years of experience, Lori has long been an advocate for national parks in Australia. Having started out as a marketing manager in the tourism industry, Lori’s business, Lorick Management, has worked on campaigns to encourage diversity and health within tour...
Be a Champion for Public Lands
December 06, 2022 09:00 - 55 minutes - 55.8 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss public lands with special guest and nationally recognized historian, Clay Jenkinson. As an expert on Theodore Roosevelt’s life and presidency, Clay unpacks the dynamics surrounding Roosevelt’s exploration and conservation efforts. He also dissects the generational differences concerning the expectations of parks. For instance, when one talks about spiritual significance, Roosevelt’s definition is arguably mo...
Park Visitors Notice Your Standards
November 29, 2022 09:00 - 22 minutes - 25.7 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss standard awareness in parks. Based on true stories, Jody and Phil discuss how parks should handle their facilities during financial hardships. Since one of the most important buildings in the park is the bathroom, park rangers must take care of maintenance matters in a timely fashion to retain credibility and morale. As Phil suggests, dare to ask yourself, ‘What message do I want to send? What standa...
Who is Gifford Pinchot?
November 15, 2022 09:00 - 27 minutes - 30.5 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the life and legacy of Gifford Pinchot. As a top 10 influencer on Phil’s park and conservation list, Pinchot, often heralded as the Father of American conservation, left an impressionable legacy on national parks. Not only did he professionalize forest management but established the modern definition of conservation as a “wise use” approach to public land. In his words, stewardship was regarding “the ...
Operating with a Sense of Urgency
November 01, 2022 08:00 - 18 minutes - 22.2 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the importance of operating with a sense of urgency. While urgency is often discussed as a function of time, as Phil explains, the term for park rangers should be viewed through intentionality. Like business leaders, park rangers should not reduce urgency to deadlines but enhance it through deliberation. More specifically, they must know their goals, be able to define pathways, and make differences wit...
A Ranger is a Part of the Park Experience
October 04, 2022 08:00 - 16 minutes - 20.2 MBOn this episode of Park Leaders Show Phil Gaines joins me to talk about the changes in the recreation experience over the last few years. With the increase in crowds a ranger is a part of the park experience, possibly now more than ever. After a recent trip to Glacier National Park I noticed that there are a lot of people in our parks. It seems that the pandemic awoke something in people that helps them realize parks are where you go to recharge and rejuvenate. While many people visit ...
Building Relationships with Tribes
September 06, 2022 08:00 - 39 minutes - 40.6 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest Victor Bjelajac, Superintendent of California State Parks, joins the show to discuss the best ways to build tribal relationships. With 14 tribes represented in his district, Victor is passionate about integrating different perspectives and worldviews from diverse backgrounds. Having recently overseen the first tribe operating a visitor center within a state park system, Victor hopes to inspire more parks to build relationships with local trib...
Ten People Who Influenced Conservation
August 30, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 28.8 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss influencers of conservation. From Theodore Roosevelt, Rachel Carson, Aldo Leopold, Steven Mather, and John Muir to Gifford Pinchot, Henry David Thoreau, Horace Albright, George Hartzog, Bob Stanton, and Fran Mainella. the list of American park heroes is lengthier than we might think. Still, while the vocations of these individuals cover a wide spectrum, as Phil explains, the common denominator among ...
Customer Service for Maintenance Staff
August 23, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 34 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss customer service for maintenance staff. While many parks have training programs for new staff, developing cultures of customer care is a better alternative. As Phil explains, the key comes down to training versus education. With training, you’re conditioning personnel to behave within specified parameters; with education, you’re inspiring a team to focus on mission and purpose. Granted, the differenc...
Supporting Your Team To Do Work That Matters
August 16, 2022 08:00 - 27 minutes - 30.1 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, special guest Sara Milbourne, Park Ranger at Rocky Gap State Park, joins the show to discuss park leadership. A Maryland Park Service Ranger and interpreter for almost two decades, Sara has a reputation for management and team building. Having pioneered dog-friendly initiatives and programs such as ‘Healthy Parks, Healthy People', Sara’s passion extends beyond maintenance and preservation into environmental justice and cultural experiences. A...
Can Your Park Be Autonomous
July 05, 2022 08:00 - 24 minutes - 27.1 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the autonomy of state parks. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, decision-making in state parks was centralized at headquarters resulting in cookie-cutter approaches to management; however, as Phil explains, recent trends have empowered authority at the local level. Since each park is unique, each state park should have the authority to make quick, high-impact decisions. While headquarters should have a rol...
A Look at Politics in Parks
June 28, 2022 08:00 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guests Jonathan and Destry Jarvis, join the show to discuss their book, National Parks Forever: Fifty Years of Fighting and a Case for Independence. Fusing experience with non-fiction, Jonathan and Destry unpack five decades of political tension involving state parks. Since 1972, conflicting perspectives in the Department of the Interior have hindered the role of the National Park Service. While some have contended the NPS should promote preservati...
Should Parks be Self-Sufficient
June 21, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 29.5 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss why parks should be financially sufficient. While a complex topic in execution, the bottom line for a park’s financial structure is simple: Each state park should be sufficient to maintain operating expenses including maintenance and personnel. As Phil explains, this implies independence in terms of need provision for visitors and staff and controlling the destiny of the park. Granted, any state pa...
Why Rangers Wear the Campaign Hat
June 14, 2022 08:00 - 21 minutes - 24.2 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss why rangers should commit to their campaign hat. While dress code is often a subjective topic, for park rangers, the uniform plays a valuable role. While badges have their place, as Phil explains, the campaign hat designates authority and captures an iconic legacy to tourists. If one is a ranger or park leader, it’s critical for visitors to know who they are as they explore and inquire. As the campai...
State Park Leadership School
June 07, 2022 08:00 - 23 minutes - 26.3 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss his final experience at the State Park Leadership School. Started by the National Association of Park Directors in 2005, Phil unpacks his role with the school in finding instructors, inspiring attendance, and delivering content. Since each state has different guidelines and regulations, Phil explains why the school is now a two-year program focused on overarching leadership principles and best practic...
Remembering Why We Do the Job
May 31, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 31.2 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Park Supervisor, Rowdy Perry, joins the show to discuss his love and appreciation for state parks. As a former ranger turned supervisor for the Michigan Department of Nature Resources, Rowdy unpacks the attendance rise in his state, the psychological safety parks bring, and how park leaders should perceive their jobs. Per his experience, while park employees get paid in sunsets, the reason behind the work comes back to people and providing them ...
Intended Consequences in Conversation
May 24, 2022 08:00 - 43 minutes - 44.9 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Ben Novak, Lead Scientist at Revive & Restore, rejoins the show to share recent conservation success stories. While intended consequences may seem like a vague term, in the context of environment preservation, this often refers to the calculated controlling of species and habitats to sustain life. In select state parks, the reintroduction of wolves into the wild is a prime example of what’s working. In other areas, the reintegration of turkeys into g...
How to Build a Winning Team
May 17, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 30.6 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Host of the “Build a Winning Team” podcast, and former COO of Story Brand, joins the show to discuss his story and definition of success. A man of many hats, Tim Schurrer talks about the value of humility within a teamwork setting. Per his experiences, corporate success is often defined by a selfless culture where roles are prioritized above the spotlight. By cultivating an environment of validation, team members can derive contentment...
Using Fees to Sustain Visitor Experiences
May 10, 2022 08:00 - 21 minutes - 24.8 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss new economic trends within park management. In the wake of the pandemic, park visitors have increased around the country. Yet, while the uptick in retention has been a silver lining, the population boom has led to new opportunities. As more tourists visit state parks, the more demand has taxed its resources. Accordingly, this has prompted some park rangers to enforce new fees and limits for trail and...
Building a Better Park Culture
April 05, 2022 08:00 - 28 minutes - 30.6 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, special guest, Michelle Baker, former Director of Disney Institute, and business leader at Disney Cruise Line, joins the show to discuss ways to build a better park culture. As Michelle explains, the emerging generation of park leaders and visitors have a deep desire to leave a lasting impact. From recreation to labor, the theme among rangers and tourists today is to live and work on purpose. Yet, for some starting out in the industry, the ‘how to’...
What Should You Call Park Visitors
March 29, 2022 08:00 - 13 minutes - 17.1 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the proper title for park visitors. As Phil explains, while there’s a transactional element involving visitors, they aren’t best described as customers or guests due to service intent. Since state and national parks are for the public, the goal for park leaders should be to retain tourists over time as opposed to making money in the moment. Accordingly, one could say the best investments for parks are ...
What are People in Parks Talking About?
March 22, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 29.1 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss popular themes and topics from today’s tourists. Having spoken at several park ranger conferences in recent weeks, Phil notes the common denominators of frequently asked questions. The most common threads? Visitor retention and voluntary compliance. As Phil explains, while many park fans are curious about increased visitation and staffing struggles, the motivations for these inquiries are similar. Wi...
What are People in Parks Talking About?
March 22, 2022 08:00On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss popular themes and topics from today’s tourists. Having spoken at several park ranger conferences in recent weeks, Phil notes the common denominators of frequently asked questions. The most common threads? Visitor retention and voluntary compliance. As Phil explains, while many park fans are curious about increased visitation and staffing struggles, the motivations for these inquiries are similar. Wi...
What to Look for When You Visit a Park
February 16, 2022 02:53 - 16 minutes - 19.6 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns on-site at Zion National Park to discuss the complexities of maintaining large-scale state parks. From capacity management to resource protection, encouraging tourism and preservation in tandem can be a difficult task. Sprinkle in today’s social issues and the recipe for park leadership can get tricky in a hurry; however, as Phil charges, as long as rangers are committed to perceiving their parks through the eyes...
Focus on Professional Growth
November 30, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 34 MBOn this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss ways leaders can focus on professional growth during this pandemic era. While personal growth centers on passion, experience, and knowledge base, as Phil explains, the key to professional growth boils down to legacy. Despite competition being a commercial necessity, to mature professionally, one must consider what making a difference looks like. For some, upward mobility is essential to this reality; f...