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 […]
Protecting Wild Places with Rick Bass
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 […]
Unseen City with Nathanael Johnson
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 […]
Adaptive Leadership with Armando Quintero
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 […]
Setting Park Priorities with Matt Carroll
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 […]
Leave No Trace with Sam Ovett & Jenna Hanger
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 […]
City of Trees with Brandon Kramer
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 […]
Innovating Ideas in Parks with Ron Olson
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. […]
Developing a Powerful Education Program With Caroline Blizzard
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. Monarch […]
Private Sector Involvement in Public Parks with John Koeberer
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 […]