Park Leaders Show

Latest Episodes:

Tranforming the Kern River May 31, 2016

Show notes

Gary Ananian is the founder of the Kern River Conservancy. He is a volunteer who pours his own time and money into protecting a river he loves.

Vandalism and trash got so bad on the Kern River that Gary started camping elsewhere. The lure of the river brought him back, but he was again faced with trash and vandalism. When he discovered there was not a single conservation group dedicated to protecting the Kern River, he founded a group to begin to clean up the river.

The Kern River was designated as a Leave No Trace Hot Spot and Gary worked with Sam Ovett and Jenna Hanger. Together, they helped transform the Kern River and work with the public and land management agencies to give the river a promising future.

Gary explains how volunteers can work with and educate the public in a way uniformed staff can not.

Through his work on the Kern River, Gary has shown one person can have an impact.

Protecting Wild Places Rick Bass May 17, 2016

Show notes

After a backpacking trip to Glacier National Park, I passed through the Yaak Valley. I was intrigued by the beauty of the valley. It just felt different than most other places I had visited.

Shortly after my short visit to the Yaak Valley, I discovered a book called The Book of Yaak by Rick Bass. I began devouring Rick Bass' books, and I returned to the Yaak.

Over the years, I hiked many miles and spent many nights in the Yaak Valley. And read many Rick Bass books. Rick used his words to bring awareness to the Yaak Valley and the issues this unique place in Montana faced.

In this episode of The Park Leaders Show, Rick Bass talks about the Yaak Valley, the importance of parks, and the biggest issues facing parks today.

Here are some of Rick Bass' books you will enjoy;

The Lost Grizzlies

The Ninemile Wolves

The Wild Marsh

Rick Bass recommends The Grizzly Years by Doug Peacock. Rick Bass gave us a list of suggested books people in parks should read. Check out the Suggested Reading List from Rick Bass.

Unseen City with Nathanael Johnson May 11, 2016

Show notes

Even in an urban setting, there is wilderness all around. Birds, bugs, plants are not just getting by, but thriving living in a city.

Most people never notice. Most people quickly move from one place to another without looking up or down to see the life around them. Or, wildlife is so common it goes unnoticed. When was the last time you thought about a pigeon? Or a snail? So much life in a city goes unseen.

Nathanael Johnson not only noticed the urban wilderness around him, he wrote a book about it. Unseen City takes a look at the majesty of pigeons, the discreet charm of snails and other wonders of the urban wilderness.

Unseen City combines great writing, deep research with the curiosity of Johnson's young daughter, Josephine. The curiosity of Josephine helps us all learn more about the wildlife around us but usually goes unseen.

This is a book is a must for any park bookstore in an urban area.

Adaptive Leadership with Armando Quintero May 03, 2016

Show notes

Armando Quintero spent 22 years with the National Park Service. Now, Armando is the Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at The University of California, Merced.

When Armando left his career as parks, he knew his background would allow him to be an advocate for parks from the outside.

Experience from the inside and the outside of parks has given Armando a unique perspective of our parks and their place in our society. Armando discusses the importance of adaptive leadership in parks.

Armando recommends The Forest Ranger by Herbert Kaufman.

Setting Park Priorities with Matt Carroll Apr 26, 2016

Show notes

Matt Carroll did not follow a typical path to becoming a Superintendent with the National Park Service.

During a full career with the Air Force, Matt picked up all the skills he would need to be a Park Superintendent; management, budgets, leadership, operations and more. He also volunteered with the National Park Service for many years before he retired from the Air Force.

Typically, by the time a ranger becomes a superintendent, he or she has been immersed in the culture of the park service for years. Matt came in from the outside to the role of Superintendent of Greenbelt Park and Baltimore-Washington Parkway.

Shortly after joining the Greenbelt Parkway, Matt developed a list of 2016 Superintendent Priorities. Matt posted the priorities at Park Headquarters so park staff, volunteers, and visitors could see them.

Here are the 2016 Superintendent Priorities for the Greenbelt Park and Baltimore-Washington Parkway;

Improve Visitor Experience, Customer Support & Partnerships
Institute Sound Business Practices
Foster a Culture of Safety in Daily Operations
Ensure Good Stewardship of Park Resources and Facilities
Develop and Support a Professional Workforce

Leave No Trace with Sam Ovett & Jenna Hanger Apr 19, 2016

Show notes

Sam Ovett and Jenna Hanger are living a life that will make you jealous. It makes me jealous. Sam and Jenna are Traveling Trainers for Leave No Trace. They travel the western United States teaching the principals of Leave No Trace to students, communities, volunteers, and government agencies.

As Traveling Trainers, they visit some of our most beautiful places and spend over 250 nights per year camping. Spending so much time together worked out well for Sam and Jenna. They are engaged to be married and plan on launching their own business later this year.

One interesting aspect of being a traveling trainer is the Leave No Trace Hot Spot program. This unique program focuses on areas that have been negatively impacted by recreational use. Traveling Trainers work with the community and stakeholders of a Hot Spot to help recover and protect the area for future generations.

You can follow Sam & Jenna on Instagram to keep up to date on their adventures.

City of Trees with Brandon Kramer Apr 12, 2016

Show notes

Brandon Kramer joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about the new documentary film, City of Trees.

City of Trees follows Washington Parks and People as the organization uses a grant to plant trees in parks Washington DC. The story plays out with struggle and triumph as the organization as you get to know people who are hired to plant trees.

During the film, you will learn about a community, learn about the men who are hired to plant trees, and learn about the organization trying to make it all work.

Click here for opportunities to see the National Broadcast of City of Trees. PBS will be broadcasting City of Trees on April 19th.

Innovating Ideas in Parks with Ron Olson Apr 05, 2016

Show notes

Many park agencies face budget struggles. Michigan State Parks faced the issues head-on by exploring new ways to add value to what parks offer.

Ron Olson, Chief of Michigan State Parks, joins the Park Leaders Show to explain the innovative ideas Michigan explored and implemented to survive budget cuts and offer more to park visitors.

In this episode, Mr. Olson will explain the programs and services Michigan State Parks offered to guests to enhance recreational opportunities and increase funding.

Here is an article from 2009 that outlines some of the challenges Michigan State Parks faced when Ron Olson become Chief.

Developing a Powerful Education Program with Caroline Blizzard Feb 23, 2016

Show notes

Caroline Blizzard is the Director of the Deep Creek Lake State Park Discovery Center. Caroline has created a successful education program about monarch butterflies.

In this episode, you will learn how an education program in a park in Maryland has had an impact on the local community as well as a community in Mexico.

Caroline will also share tips on how you can create a powerful educational program at your park.

Private Sector Involvement in Public Parks with John Koeberer Feb 09, 2016

Show notes

Private sector involvement in public parks is an issue most people are not indifferent on. Usually, people either see it as a solution to many of the problems parks face, or they are against any private involvement. You may not realize how involved the private sector is already involved in parks.

John joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss the benefit of private sector involvement in parks.

John Koeberer is the president of the California Parks Company. The California Parks Company has a presence in parks throughout California, providing services ranging from concessions, wedding services, and campground operations.

John explains how private sector involvement can help parks with better marketing and business expertise. Better business operation will ensure parks do not become irrelevant.

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