I have been a lifelong fan of Smokey Bear. This month, August 2014, Smokey Bear celebrates his 70th birthday. Imagine that. Smokey has been with us since the second World War. Seventy years of grandfatherly advice about about wildfires. Seventy years of raising awareness of the impact of fire. Seventy years of standing on the […]
Can You Have Fun and Still Be Professional?
For this episode, we invited a guest to return for the first time. Commander Bill Overby joins us to take questions from park rangers in the field. So far, the most listened to episode has been Don’t Let the Park Define You with Commander Bill Overby. I invited Bill back because you like him, and […]
The Storied Career of a National Park Service Ranger with Tom Betts
Each year, the National Park Service asks Rangers to single out one ranger who epitomizes the Ranger ethic. Believe me, there are so many rangers who could be held up as an example of excellence on the job. So when one ranger is selected to receive the Harry Yount Award for Excellence, you know this […]
Connecting with Youth with Ruby Simonian
When you want to talk about youth involved in parks and recreation, the best place to start is with the Corps Network. I have become fond of the Corps Network and they work they do. Not just the work for parks and conservation, but the work they do in the lives of young people. One […]
Is Parks a Man’s World?
Marty Huseman is the Chief Ranger at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Her career with the National Park Service has taken her all over the country. As she began her career, she was advised to take a job at a park most people have not heard of. She followed that advice and became a Park […]
Can National Parks Remain Relevant?
Ray Murray could be considered an environmental elder. He has been working in the field of parks, recreation, and conservation for decades. Ray is currently the Partnerships Program Chief for the Pacific West Region of the National Park Service. In this interview, Ray shares the biggest changes he has seen during his time with the […]
Park Rangers are Heroes with Amanda Loewe Llanes
I have had the opportunity to talk to many people about why they became a park ranger. Each story is personal and unique, but the answer Amanda Llanes gave really stood out. Amanda was a cadet at Skagit Valley College Parks Law Enforcement Academy when we introduced by Commander Bill Overby. She was attending the […]
Interpreting an Experience
During a camping trip at Maumee Bay State Park I watched as the park prepared for a Fourth of July celebration. Small flags lined the entrance road to the campground. Every campsite had an individual flag. Volunteers were meeting to discuss the plan for a bike parade the next day. Watching this made me consider […]
African American National Parks Day with Teresa Baker
Consider your last visits to our National Parks. Just pick one, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, or Mount Ranier. How many African-American faces did you see on your visit? Even better, when was the last time you saw an African-American face under the flat hat? It is clear there is a piece missing if the faces you […]
Parks are in the Business of People with Austin Bradley
Former Washington State Parks Director, Rex Derr, told me about the State Parks Leadership School. This School was founded by the National Association of State Park Directors. Upon learning more about the school, I knew anyone who attended would likely be a good guest for the Park Leaders Show. I called a few people who […]