“Part of the narrative that we find ourselves in is talking about creating areas that are protected for people, not from people.” Ryan Finchum is the co-director of the Center For Protected Area Management at Colorado State University and a seasoned expert working with the US Forest Service international programs. He joins for a conversation […]
national parks
Answering Questions About Being a Park Ranger
“If you’re going to be really good at it, you’re passionate about it. You believe that you’re doing something that’s bigger than just collecting a paycheck.” Being a park ranger is about more than just trees and trails. Phil Gaines and I both believe it is about the people you meet and the relationships you […]
People Come First In Parks
“If you offer something specific, not only are you offering to help, but that shows that you see them as a person and that you’re recognizing their specific needs rather than just generalized to the general population.” Last episode, we did an interview with Chris Lee. In this episode, we’re going to Flip it a […]
Reviewing the 2023 State Park Director’s Conference
“What you’re doing is making a difference not only for this generation, but if you do it right, it’s making a difference for future generations.” Phil Gaines and I had the chance to record an episode together while attending the 2023 State Park Director’s Conference at the Mormon State Historic Site in Genoa, Nevada. It […]
Searching for Missing Hikers
“I really wanted to tell the truth behind the beautiful scenery.” In a world of rugged landscapes and unpredictable elements, park rangers and first responders face challenges that test their limits. Sometimes that work can include critical tasks such as searching for missing hikers. Andrea Lankford is a former National Park Service ranger who joins […]
The Politics of Parks
“Focus on common objectives and goals, you can get to where you want to be without being divisive.” When people first enter the world of park management, they don’t expect to be involved in politics. Yet, as time goes on it’s not uncommon to find yourself at the center of political discussions on issues like […]
Dealing with Park Visitors Who Misbehave
“The customer is rarely right, but they’re always the customer.” Phil Gaines joins to discuss the surge in misbehavior among park visitors after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a number of factors that could have caused this increase. One is the increase in new visitors who were not familiar with the park’s […]
Conversations for Park Professionals
In this episode of the Park Leaders Show I am joined by Donald Forgione, retired director of Florida state parks. Now I also get to welcome him as the host of the podcast, Tailgate Talks, which offers more conversations for park professionals. Donald’s diverse skillset made him a valuable asset among park professionals. As he […]
Get Your Park Ready for Summer
“If you educate and train your employees on the very front end, it makes for so much better summer season.” Spring is here and the parks are already starting to get busy with visitors. That is why it is important that you get your park ready for summer well in advance of their arrival. Part […]
Maintaining View Sheds in Parks
“Leadership is hard because it’s a gray decision. It’s not a black and white decision. You have to take a breath, take two steps back, and figure out what the objective is and why the resource is being protected in order to make the right decision.” – Phil Gaines Phil Gaines recently attended the California […]