Park Leaders Show : Park Ranger | National Park | State Park | Leadership

"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 management, where the scent of adventure intertwines with the thrill of responsibility.  In this episode, you will: Discover the integral role an assistant park manager plays in maintaining the park's harmony and sustainability Realize the significance of establishing a strong relationship between the park manager and assistant manager for optimal park operations Uncover the complexities of an assistant park manager's duties and the strategies to navigate these challenges effectively Grasp the essence of the assistant park m

  "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 are deeply intertwined with politics at every level. The higher up in the system, the more one has to understand who they work for. Phil and I have found that it is best to navigate these situations by focusing on the core values of stewardship and service. It is important to stay true to your core values as a park person and have a strong ethical background. Compromise is critical when dealing with people of different ideas. It is also important to not lose sight of the primary responsibility – the preservation of the parks und

"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 managing large crowds. This episode gives great reminders as to the importance of educating visitors about park etiquette. I love Phil's proactive approach to addressing potential issues. What ways are you addressing the concerns with visitor behavior before they have a chance to escalate? In this episode, we discuss: factors behind increased misbehavior in parks during the COVID-19 pandemic. the significance of educating visitors about park rules and regulations. responsibilities of park leaders in ensuring clean facili

In 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 that are navigating the challenges of park management and the importance of ongoing learning and development. In this episode, you will: Recognize the crucial role of maintenance in effective parks management Tackle the difficult task of finding and retaining top-quality seasonal employees Appreciate the worth of third-party analysts in fostering productive dialogues Discover the wide-ranging skill sets of various park professionals Embrace the significance of continually evolving both personally and professionally The ep

"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 unmanageable and unfulfilling. Documenting your process and experience each year is critical to future success. The crew this year may not be there next year. How then will you tackle this monumental task of getting the parks ready? In this episode we talk about why it is important to: Implement strategies to prepare parks for the summer season based on past experiences. Recognize the significance of proper training and education for park employees to enhance their efficiency. Streamline park management by understanding how t

"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 experience for this self-proclaimed Southern boy accustomed to sunshine, was venturing to the snow-filled wilderness of California. However, it was there that he found an interesting issue in the parks between protecting a historic view shed or letting nature take its course. This is one of the latest compelling clashes between preservation and progress.   There were other impactful moments while he was at the conference including learning from park rangers from around the country and talking about the importance of friends groups an

On 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 pending qualifications and willingness to relocate.  What then is the solution? While there’s no one-size, fit-all fix, in theory, scouts must embrace unorthodox means to reach their talent pool. From analytically driven social media job postings to community involvement, park recruiters must be willing to establish relationships from teachers and school children to parents and business leaders. Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/  

On 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 little-known facts about the ordeal culminating in a memorable Supreme Court ruling. Though the Sierra Club’s efforts would ultimately inhibit Disney’s ability to build the resort, with many environment lessons compacted within a single narrative, you’ll find Selmi’s storytelling and commentary compelling as he takes you back in time into a groundbreaking case study. Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/ Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleade

On 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/

On 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 tourism since the mid 2000’s. Despite the pandemic, Lori believes the return to normality will require more commercial intentionality to not only motivate park participation but explore the financial benefits of promotion. For more information about Lori’s work, visit her website at https://womenintourism.com. Resources www.parkleaders.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

On 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 more sacred than the modern-day interpretations due to how people perceive reverence and what constitutes a rejuvenation of the human spirit.  Either way, to be a better American, Clay suggests people understand what made this country what it is and advises park leaders to define public lands to include better technology for maximal engagement. While Roosevelt and his peers were compelled to pioneer accessibility, if the current populace is to appreciate iconic landmarks, there must be pathways for them to embrace that accessi

On 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 standards do I want the public to notice?’ Whatever the answer, if you permit it, you promote it. You may base decisions solely on finances and budget cuts, but if quality control becomes a casualty, all sides lose in the long run. Resources www.parkleaders.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/  

On 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 greatest good for the greatest number in the long run.” A peer of Teddy Roosevelt, Pinchot founded the Society of American Foresters in 1900 to preserve public lands and prevent exploitation. Having served as the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Pinchot also tripled the nation's forest reserves using his conservation definition to maintain long-term health of state resources. Resources  www.parkleaders.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

On 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 within time restraints. Per Phil’s experiences, operating with a sense of urgency is not about speed but action. Accordingly, if you understand urgency in a healthy way, chances are you’ll be able to move organizations forward and inspire your teams along the way. Resources www.parkleaders.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

On 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 state parks to feel connected to nature, as Phil explains, the park ranger is an integral part of the experience. Like Mickey Mouse at Disney World, the park ranger is more than a friendly face but an icon of park visitation. Accordingly, as leaders of conservation and preservation, rangers should consider themselves just as much a part of the park landscape as the terrain and wildlife. Although attractions have their place, park leaders should not undermine their role amidst the little things. After all, what rangers say and

On 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 tribes and include them in leadership positions. Granted, this is easier said than done given parks have a history of inadvertently marginalizing tribal voices through ignorance and negligence. Still, through influence and awareness, Victor hopes more park leaders will facilitate a trusting relationship with tribes by listening and engaging them in community events. Resources www.parkleaders.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

On 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 them is legacy. Despite pursuits ranging from politics and advocacy to liberal arts and poetry, the key objective for these influencers came down to awareness and sustaining momentum and movement together. As Teddy Roosevelt once said, “There’s no bigger cause in our country today than conservation” - a reality ringing true today as much as it did over a hundred years ago. Resources www.parkleaders.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

On 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 difference may seem minor; however, the ramifications from operations and infrastructure to advocacy and retention can be significant. Resources www.parkleaders.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

On 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.   As she explains, supporting a team to do meaningful means creating opportunities to connect with marginalized communities. After all, the wonder of states parks should be enjoyed by everyone. Why not train aspiring rangers to spread the word in creative ways? Resources  www.parkleaders.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/  

On 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 role in influencing outcomes, Phil believes if people on-site at field and regional levels are equipped to facilitate resolutions, state parks will benefit more in the long run. Resources www.parkleaders.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/