“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. This week, I had the privilege of diving deep into this crucial topic with Sarah Unz, Vice President of […]
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Connecting With Nature in the Classroom
“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 often shape a lifetime of curiosity and exploration. Yet, […]
The History of Public Lands
“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 […]
Creating a City Level Junior Ranger Program
“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.” Sean Underhill is a park ranger from Prescott, Arizona helping get city-level park programs up and running. He shares insights into their extensive volunteer efforts and a new ranger program that is building […]
Honoring Fallen Park Rangers
“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, […]
The Impact of Natural Disasters on Parks
“As a helper, as a as a compassionate individual, you can get compassion fatigue, physical fatigue, and emotional fatigue because it is devastating.” Nature’s fury can teach us some of the most valuable lessons. The one constant challenge Donald Forgione faced during his career leading Florida State Parks was mother nature herself. Particularly hurricanes. During […]
Talking About the Glacier Park Conservancy
“By bringing varied backgrounds into conservation careers, we are ensuring our parks represent all of America.” 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 and Wildlife Service, Glacier Park leaders, and […]
A Summer as a Seasonal Park Aide
“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.” It’s not every day you get to hear from someone about their experience working at the park they group up in. However, that is exactly what my […]
Attention to Details Matter to Park Guests
“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 […]
Innovative Technology and Conservation
“We need to inspire people, especially young people, with innovation. That is how we can change the world in a positive way. 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 Glice® rinks are […]