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This episode is the start of something special. Phil Gaines, retired Director of South Carolina State Parks, is going to be a semi-regular guest co-host on the Park Leaders Show. When parks lose a long-time leader like Phil, we lose so much knowledge and experience. By finding new ways to continue to bring past experiences […]

When someone visits a park and they are curious, what is the first thing they want to do? Ask a ranger. Park Rangers are icons of parks and one of the reasons people enjoy talking with Rangers is because they can answer your questions about nature. Now, you no longer have to seek out a […]

On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, we explore maritime archeology with Denise Jaffke Denise as an Archeologist with California State Parks who is currently working on creating the Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail. Parks play a role in putting together pieces of historical puzzles through archeology. Add water, and there is a new layer […]

To build a solid career, you need to build a solid network of peers, associates, and friends. A strong leader has a strong network. Dylan Mroszcyk-McDonald returns to the Park Leaders Show to continue our series on leadership and culture in parks. On this episode, we focus on building a network and how it can […]

In parks, we have spread the myth of a lone heroic leader at the top. We give special attention and privilege to someone with a leadership title. If it takes a hero to lead people, it moves leadership out of the reach of most people. As leaders, we need to remember the person is more important than […]

After 37 years with South Carolina State Parks, Phil Gaines retired as Director. As Phil did during his entire career, he used his last day to lead by example. On August 2, 2018, exactly 13 years after becoming Director of South Carolina State Parks, and exactly 37 years after starting his career as a park […]

Podcasts with Park Rangers is a podcast featuring conversations with Park Rangers from National Parks around the country. Lucas and Sarah Villa-Kainec are the hosts of the podcast Podcasts with Park Rangers. We sat down together at a picnic table in Fort Worden State Park. In this episode, we discuss their podcast, traveling across the […]

Eben Sypitkowski is the Director of Baxter State Park in Maine. Baxter State Park is a unique park. Baxter is a state park in name, but not park of Maine State Parks. The park started as a gift in land and resources from Governor Baxter. Two more ways Baxter is a unique park; it is completely self-funded.  […]

As technology has changed around us, it has created a tremendous opportunity for interpretation. Brad Krey, Interpretation and Education Programs Manager for California State Parks, joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss how California is using technology to take the park to kids. One concern we have in parks is remaining relevant. People will protect […]

Wild Jobs are all around us, but often go unnoticed. John Griffith returns to the Park Leaders Show to tell us about his new show, Wild Jobs, on Animal Planet. Griffith uses the show to highlight conservation and the hard work done at wildlife sanctuaries and animal hospitals. Getting a show with Animal Plant started years […]