“You don’t have to come from parks to lead in parks. But you do have to embrace the culture, listen, and lead with purpose.” Notable Moments [00:02:00] Starting out as a seasonal worker builds a foundation [00:03:40] Promoting park managers without prior experience [00:05:18] Success stories of hiring from outside the park system [00:08:48] Benefits of diverse backgrounds in leadership [00:14:50] Importance of honoring legacy while bringing fresh ideas [00:21:34] Staying close to your point of s...
Jul 01, 2025•27 min•Ep. 320
"Storytelling is the bridge between awe and understanding, whether you're in a theme park or a national park." Notable Moments 01:05 – Bob’s national park road trip that shaped his worldview 05:24 – “Recreation” vs. “Re-creation”: the true power of parks 06:10 – Walt Disney’s advice: walk the park, observe the guests 08:41 – How Disney draws inspiration from national parks 12:19 – Gaps in concessionaire storytelling at national park lodges 14:51 – Bob’s advice for elevating the lodge experience ...
Jun 24, 2025•35 min•Ep. 319
"When you truly love a place, you do whatever it takes to protect it, even if it takes a decade." Notable Moments 00:01:04 Meeting Rodrigo and Jose 00:02:03 Rodrigo shares how a simple question sparked conservation 00:07:15 Jose explains fighting the first hydroelectric project 00:20:54 What happens after the land is protected 00:32:04 The significance of the ancient Alerce tree Jody Maberry recounts his unforgettable trip to Chile’s Cochamó Valley, especially meeting Rodrigo Condeza and Jose Cl...
Jun 17, 2025•48 min•Ep. 318
"The only way you're going to save the world is with a damn good story." Notable Moments 02:13 – Jeff’s origin story: how a zoo letter changed his life 04:47 – Radical collaboration and partnerships across conservation groups 06:31 – Story of Pueblo Patagonia and local leadership in Chile 13:16 – Big change starts with one local champion 17:26 – Why storytelling is essential to conservation success 24:16 – Gabon’s 30x30x30x30 model and protecting rivers, too 26:14 – Partnering with Disney for th...
Jun 03, 2025•39 min•Ep. 317
“A win in conservation is temporary. You’ll fight for it again. A loss is permanent.” Notable Moments [00:01:03] – Why politics and public land are inseparable [00:04:37] – The impact of the Antiquities Act on land policy [00:06:57] – South Carolina’s bipartisan approach to land conservation [00:10:31] – Western vs. Eastern perceptions of public land ownership [00:15:11] – Economic and social value of protected lands [00:21:13] – The difference between temporary wins and permanent losses [00:26:...
May 27, 2025•35 min•Ep. 316
“Parks protect the land, but just as importantly, they protect the stories that shaped our nation.” There are a number of ways parks can contribute to the United States’ 250th anniversary. From South Carolina’s rich revolutionary history to the roles western parks can play, this conversation highlights how parks serve as stewards of history, not just nature. Phil joins to share his involvement with state commissions and the American Battlefield Trust, offering ideas for programming, preservation...
May 20, 2025•23 min•Ep. 315
"I'm going to do something that's connected to the national parks or our or a state park near me so that I can use my knowledge and see the real world impact it has. And that way, I never am stuck in class asking, why is this important? Why on earth do I have to learn this?" Notable Moments 03:02 Parks' Enhanced Virtual Learning Programs 05:30 The Value of Learning About Distant Places 12:39 Bridging Classrooms and Public Lands 17:53 Engaging Park Rangers as Educators 24:08 Enhancing Park Visito...
Apr 08, 2025•31 min•Ep. 314
"We've designed the bathroom to be agnostic to the environment in which it goes. There are certainly other operational considerations the further out you go, but there's really no fundamental limitation as to where we put a throne." Bathrooms in parks are rarely the focus of innovation, but I was eager to dive into this unexplored territory with guests Jessica Heinzelmann and Fletcher Wilson from Throne Labs. Together, they are revolutionizing bathrooms, transforming them from mundane necessitie...
Feb 18, 2025•30 min•Ep. 313
"You have to be ready because change is constant, and you have to be able to adapt and adjust." As the retired director of South Carolina State Parks and a current professor at Clemson University, Phil Gaines has wisdom on navigating administrative changes in park systems that is invaluable. He joined me to break down the often tumultuous times when new administrations take office. Transitions can be tough. Read the blog to hear how more on our conversation about strategic planning and adapting ...
Jan 28, 2025•27 min
"Nothing gets done without partners. And in fact, it's way more fun when you get to do it with other people." Philanthropy is a powerful tool that often goes unnoticed in the world of park management. I have the privilege of diving deep into this with Sarah Unz, Vice President of Community Partnerships at the National Park Foundation, and Ryan McClure, Executive Director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation and Board Chair of the Friends Alliance. Read the blog for more on creating world-class experi...
Jan 21, 2025•30 min•Ep. 311
"They've done studies observing children in a park. They issue the more organized places like a like a soccer field or basketball court, but the kids always end up on the edges where the trees or the brush is just messing around." Childhood adventures in nature can shape a lifetime of curiosity and exploration. That’s why I was thrilled to chat with Chris Anderson, creator of "OutSCIder," an initiative bringing educational videos about national parks into classrooms. Through his work, Chris is e...
Jan 14, 2025•29 min•Ep. 310
"After 43 years of doing this, some things didn't sound accurate to me. So I started researching this in in order to to put together a program to go out and really explain what the history of these places are and what is fact and what is fiction." When was the last time you thought about the history behind our public lands? It's more intricate than many realize. One person that knows that is a veteran leader in the world of parks, Walt Dabney. Walt joined us fresh from the 47th annual Ranger Ren...
Dec 10, 2024•39 min•Ep. 309
"Signs don't do much. It's the educational programs where you're actually talking to people that are the most effective in changing behaviors." Notable Moments 00:42 Prescott's volunteer-driven, unique park ranger system. 03:26 Code enforcement change to interpretation. 07:07 Leave No Trace signs to improve local campsites. 11:48 Enhance accessibility and safety to attract families. 15:38 Launching a Junior Ranger program 18:06 Nature Ninos partner is developing a local STEM activity center. 20:...
Dec 03, 2024•27 min•Ep. 308
"We honor our profession and we're proud of what we do to remember those that we lost." Park Rangers often dedicate their life to the preservation of nature. There is another side of the work that is less known; Uncovering the forgotten stories of those who paid the ultimate price. My conversation with Jeff Ohlfs, retired chief ranger of Joshua Tree National Park, explored the often-overlooked sacrifices of park rangers worldwide. Read more about his work in the blog . Resources Association of N...
Nov 26, 2024•35 min•Ep. 307
"As a helper, as a as a compassionate individual, you can get compassion fatigue, physical fatigue, and emotional fatigue because it is devastating." Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/
Oct 22, 2024•29 min•Ep. 306
"By bringing varied backgrounds into conservation careers, we are ensuring our parks represent all of America." Connect with Doug Email Doug Mitchell Glacier National Park Conservancy Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/ In Glacier National Park, the journey to reintroduce bison is a great example of the power of perseverance and learning from failure. The collaborative effort between the US Federal Government, US Fish a...
Sep 17, 2024•46 min•Ep. 305
"I've never been there early enough to see the sunrise, but I've been there late enough to see the sunset. And it does have a really pretty sunset." Notable Moments 02:04 Common Questions from Visitors 06:33 Importance of Seasonal Training 08:02 Day in the Life of a Park Employee 10:12 Family adventures with bears. Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ It's not every day you get to hear from someone about their experience working at the park they group up in. However, that...
Sep 10, 2024•11 min•Ep. 304
"The small stuff is where you create that memory or you create an impression that never leaves them. Attention to those little details really matter." Attention to details isn't just a small matter; it can transform the experience of park visitors. In the latest episode of the Park Leaders Show, Phil Gaines returns for a conversation about why the small stuff is crucial in parks and conservation. Paying close attention to the seemingly little things can make a monumental difference to visitors. ...
Sep 03, 2024•25 min•Ep. 303
"We need to inspire people, especially young people, with innovation. That is how we can change the world in a positive way. Connect with Viktor Glice website Viktor's Website Viktor on Instagram Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/ Viktor Meier is the cofounder and CEO of Glice®, a revolutionary company that has developed synthetic ice for a more sustainable ice skating experience. This conversation sheds light on how G...
Aug 27, 2024•27 min•Ep. 302
"Because he died so early, there was no opportunity for him to really grow into what a lot of people think he was gonna become, which was the next director of the National Park Service and one of the leading conservationists in the nation." Key Moments 04:06 Working in conservation, writing about science and natural history. 07:05 Writing a book in 2019 about George Melendez Wright 12:30 Zoom meetings, presentations, follow-up articles, interviews. 14:36 Early death led to unrealized potential i...
Aug 06, 2024•46 min
"If you look back over the last 100 years of significant events in America's parks, state, national, local, that, you know, on that list of the top 10 or 15 things that's that's changed the way we manage parks is, how we did the pandemic." Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/ We just celebrated a major milestone—300 episodes of the Park Leaders Show! This episode felt like a great opportunity for Phil Gains and I to refl...
Jul 23, 2024•36 min•Ep. 300
"Work-life balance means that you're trying to find a way to balance this so you're a complete person and your batteries are recharged." Key Moments 01:10 Peak of park busyness means a ranger is always on as a ranger. 05:29 Balancing work and life in park professions. 09:08 Passion for work requires deliberate disengagement. 11:52 Engaging in activities outside of work reduces stress. 13:38 Work-life balance leads to better performance. 17:03 Take a breath, step back, refocus. 21:45 The joys of ...
Jul 09, 2024•24 min•Ep. 299
"Does it really make any difference if you do believe something, but are at the same time intolerant of someone who does not agree or concur in your beliefs?" Key Moments 01:27 Meeting Freeman Tilden. 09:42 Starting a Career with Park Service at age 58. 11:54 Freeman Reevaluates National Park Service Principles and Writes "Interpreting Our Heritage" at age 71 14:59 Aiming for Visitor Engagement, Not Just Facts .17:00 Becaming a Team for National Park Service 22:58 Lasting Impact of 47 years of D...
Jul 02, 2024•35 min•Ep. 298
"The welcome station is where you are telling a visitor what to expect during the rest of their time with you." Key Moments 05:58 First Impressions Matter at Parks 10:41 The Importance of Welcome Station Staff 16:34 Understanding Role vs. Purpose 19:06 Optimizing Park Efficiency 21:41 Importance of Face Time with Park Rangers 24:57 Pre-Shift Meetings at Welcome stations Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/ How to Have an...
Jun 25, 2024•29 min•Ep. 297
"Parks can be a great antidote to social isolation and mental health struggles. Yet the only way to do that effectively is to invest in our parks and make sure that the experience that people have when they go is positive and supportive of those health outcomes." Key Moments 05:31 The Impact of Local Parks on Personal Growth 08:39 NRPA's origin and evolution, partnership with parks. 11:39 Protecting Natural Spaces for Future Generations 13:33 NRPA Resources and Geographical Connection 16:44 The ...
Jun 18, 2024•31 min•Ep. 296
"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 park experiences or h...
Apr 09, 2024•23 min•Ep. 295
"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 Industry 28:06 Promoting Ca...
Apr 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 294
"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, motivate. 25:38 See...
Mar 26, 2024•29 min•Ep. 293
“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 Environments 1...
Mar 19, 2024•28 min•Ep. 292
“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 Diversity and inclusi...
Mar 12, 2024•29 min•Ep. 291
