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 National Park Service. Ray talks about the traits of successful park managers, what successful partnerships looks like, and advice for up and coming leaders.
Ray feels the biggest challenge facing parks is remaining relevant. As the world changes outside of park boundaries, parks have had trouble keeping up. Ray understands parks cannot rely on people who look like him, recreate like him, or act like him. Parks needs to reach into urban areas, connect across generations, and be available for people of all income levels.
Ray’s wisdom can help new rangers and veterans alike.
Don’t Miss an Episode! Subscribe Below:
––– http://parkleaders.mysites.io/feed/podcast/ –––
Parks don’t remain “relevant”… they are, have always been, and will always be RELEVANT! It is the park leaders and politicians who may not always be relevant. It’s one of those egocentric things to thik that a wild place (or historical/cultural monument) can or cannot be less (or more) than it already is. Our society is loosing its wild values, not parks losing theirs. When I was a young ranger, all incoming rangers wanted to go to “wild” parks, now these places are hard to fill with new and young Rangers.
When I was stationed on a mountain, above the Mojave Desert, a park visitor approached me and asked me what I had done to be assigned here! He was dumbfounded when he I told him I loved it there. Society, park people and civilians alike, are loosing their love of things wild…of parks. I still believe that parks are where our children, their children, and all generations can see and feel the like that has been around us…forever!
I agree with you. Parks are as important as they have ever been, perhaps more so. What has changed is the interest and opinions about recreation and conservation. The question about park remaining relevant is more to the attitude of citizens. If parks are not in the mind and hearts of people who recreate, spend, and vote then the issue of remaining relevant is a real concern.