Park Leaders Show

Latest Episodes:

Experience Your Park as a Visitor Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Today, on the 'Park Leaders Show', Phil Gaines returns to discuss new takes on the park visitor experience.

Per recent travels, Phil unpacks some lessons learned having toured local parks as a visitor. One principle he stresses is good leaders view the park experience through the eyes of the visitor. To facilitate a positive environment, a park ranger would best serve tourists working through their lens as opposed to a checklist. Likewise, the ranger would allow staff to contribute feedback on how systems can improve.

Additionally, Phil suggests a litmus test in the sense every park ranger should invite their families and friends to visit their parks. The goal, he says, is to mature perspective before revising processes and programs. If park rangers can learn through their loved ones, the takeaways are more likely to be applied to the customer's advantage.

Connect with Jody:

www.parkleaders.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

Interviewing to be a Park Ranger Part 1 Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

Phil Gains is back with me and today's episode is the first in a series on interviewing to be a park ranger. This topic was suggested five years ago by Cassidy, a new ranger, and it is a loaded topic. We are unpacking Cassidy's experience, as well as sharing our own experience as leaders in the Parks system.

We explore seven topics today; information that will be valuable no matter where you are on your journey as a park's employee. We dig into the importance of being adaptable, having a degree or a military background, and how every day is an interview, to name a few.

Every day is an opportunity to be preparing yourself for the future. How you dress, conduct yourself and invest in learning and understanding a potential position will make a difference and set you apart from others who think a 45-minute interview is the lynchpin of their future.

Connect with Jody:

www.parkleaders.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

Questions for future episodes? Email: jody@parkleaders.com

Twitter

A Park Ranger's Role in Customer Service Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

Today guest favorite, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the park ranger's role in customer service.

When a tourist visits a national park, seeing a park ranger can be the equivalent of finding Mickey Mouse at Disney World. Especially for newcomers, there's often a sense of awe built into the experience whenever a park ranger shows up.

As such, Phil encourages park leaders not only to be mindful of their daily priorities but to see themselves as part of the story visitors share. After all, for the customer, their stay is their time to soak in the best sights and sounds nature has to offer. Why not ensure they receive the best service as part of the attraction they came to see?

Great America Outdoors Act Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

Rediscovering Parks During Tough Times Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

Dan Bortner, the recently promoted Director of Indiana Department of Natural Resources, joins me today.

With 15 years as a State Parks Director, Dan has transitioned into overseeing not only all of Indiana's State Parks but the regulatory aspects beyond land holdings as well. At every level of leadership within parks, being surrounded by the best talent you can afford can make or break the culture. Forming the right team, regardless of "qualifications," will build a sustainable infrastructure.

In the current environment, as the rest of the world closed down, people rediscovered the joy of outdoor spaces, and all they have to offer. The impact that state parks have on mental health and the economy has come to the forefront. As Park Leaders, understanding the role that State Parks play in the big picture is paramount. Having a desire and intentionally working toward leaving a legacy is what long-term conservation is all about. Leaving our parks better than we found them is essential to us as leaders. Walking the line of preservation and innovation is a fine line to walk.

Episode Resources

The Business Side of Parks - https://parkleaders.com/the-business-side-of-parks/

Submit questions and topics to jody@parkleaders.com

Creating Better Visitor Experiences Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

Phil Gains, my semi-regular co-host, is with me once again; and today, we are tackling a listener's question.

Special thanks to Sean Bonage for submitting this episode's question. Sean asks, "What do you think are some of the most critical topics that you think need addressing that could help inspire a graduate student in their effort to better public land experiences for park visitors?"

As we answer Sean's question, we consider the importance of not relying on the traditional use of public lands. How do we stay relevant when everything around us is changing? Taking the current climate into consideration, more than ever, we need to be listening to our stakeholders, our citizens, and expanding our understanding of our visitors. We also explore advocacy and access to parks and the necessity of educating many first-time visitors in the arena of conservation and personal responsibility.

Diversity of recreation and overall inclusion is challenging us as park leaders to redefine how parks are used and how we approach all groups. Intentionally expanding our pool of viewpoints is imperative; and this trickles into how we care for our workers and their overall health. Lastly, we are unpacking the pros and cons of pulling back the veil on decision making during tough times and how to grow customers into advocates.

Episode Resources

Submit questions and topics to jody@parkleaders.com

A Look at the Park Law Enforcement Association Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

Today, Mark Caughlin, district manager for Horsetooth Reservoir and park ranger for the Larimer Country Resources department, joins us to discuss his career pathway.

Working within the Colorado county system, Mark explains how his jobs have been impacted by the Fort Collins population boom as well as the coronavirus. He also talks about his responsibilities with Park Law Enforcement Association and how he hopes to inspire more park ranger training programs around the country.

Mark also talks about resource protection and mentorship as cornerstones to excellence in the park ranger industry.

How to Have an Impact Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

On this special episode of the Park Leaders Show, Phil Gaines returns to discuss how the podcast has evolved the past six years.

After debuting in April 2014, the Park Leaders Show continues to pursue its niche in educating park rangers on the value of leadership. As Jody explains, there have been many lessons learned during the podcast's run, but the reward has been well worth the investment.

To conclude the show, Jody and Phil revisit their most frequently asked question, "What advice do you have for an up and coming park ranger who wants to leave an impact?"

Motivation is Temporary Jun 30, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Phil Gaines joins me again as my semi-regular guest host. Today, we are diving deep on employee motivation and how we, as leaders, can help to sustain it, even in trying times.

The current landscape of our nation can feel like it is one thing after another. In these times, it is necessary to keep a pulse on our team and provide motivation. In seasons as we find ourselves in, even the most motivated employees can be struggling.

Often we view money as the key motivator, but on its own, it can fall short. Motivation, by definition, is temporary; culture is what carries through. As leaders, we must encourage our team with the resources we have available to us. This is how we build a sustainable culture.

By fostering a culture of engagement and empowerment, we help our employees understand they are part of something bigger than themselves. Communicating where we are and where we are going fosters self-motivation within our team.

You don't have to have all the answers. By providing vision will help you sustain and keep motivated employees.

Developing an Interpretive Talk Jun 23, 2020

Show notes

On today's episode of the Park Leaders Show, we have an old friend joining us. John Griffith has guested on six episodes over the past six years and has been integral in the growth of the show. John is a huge voice in the conservation movement and has worked to educate the masses for many years with a 19-year stint in the California Conservation Core and as the host of Wild Jobs on Animal Planet.

John has now transitioned to a place of passion as a Nature Guide or Interpreter for the North Coast District of California State Parks. While tenure may have him as the "new guy", his background in social media and creating relevant education have helped him build a thriving educational program even during the current pandemic we are experiencing.

Today we discuss the importance of empowering guests and visitors to recreate the awe they experience in a natural setting and translate it to the nature around them in their daily lives. The importance of sowing seeds of inspiration in the short touchpoints nature guides have is key to taking their visit from terminal to transformative. By associating learning about nature with fun and utilizing entertaining methods, a passion for conservation can be cultivated one visitor at a time.

Episode resources:

Book Recommendation: Bringing Nature Home – by Douglas W. Tallamy

https://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Nature-Home-Wildlife-Expanded-ebook/dp/B003UV8ZTE/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Bringing+Nature+Home&qid=1589334645&sr=8-1&tag=stephprodu-20

Humbolt Redwood State Park Page –https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtRedwoodsStatePark/

Facebook Page: @Griffwilds - https://www.facebook.com/GriffWild/

Facebook Group: @Griffswildtips https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriffsWildTips/

Instagram: @thenaturenut https://www.instagram.com/thenaturenut/

YouTube: John Griffith https://www.youtube.com/user/TotemMagicGoingMAD