“Parks become even more meaningful when you can share the memories that can be made there.” Technology and outdoor recreation don’t always seem like natural partners. But it does when the technology can deepen the connection people have with parks. All Road Taken has done just that by helping families discover new places, track their […]
national parks
Takes From a Wilderness Warrior
“Fear often comes from not knowing. Once you take time to learn, fear can turn into respect.” When I first started visiting national parks, I’ll admit, I was scared of grizzly bears. I don’t mean cautious. I mean nervous-to-go-on-the-trail scared. Over time, that changed. Watching how bears behave, listening to people who had lived […]
The Future of National Parks
“Sometimes steady leadership, or keeping the park on course, is the most important thing we can offer.” When Jon Jarvis returns to the show, it always feels like catching up with an old friend who has walked the trails of history and still sees the path ahead. Jon, former Director of the National Park Service, […]
The Four Types of Park Managers
“You take care of the people, and they will take care of the park.” What kind of park manager did you grow up under? As simple as that question sounds, it has been sitting with me for over a decade. I first jotted down notes about the types of park managers I had encountered back […]
Back to the Future of Parks
“Every park has trees and trails. What makes people come back is you.” The future of parks starts with people. In this episode, I share my keynote at Michigan DNR’s in-service event where I why you are the difference. When Michigan State Parks invited me back to speak at their in-service event, I had no […]
Exploring Parks in 3D
“Too often today everything is tech and screens… but picking up a book, putting on a pair of glasses, and seeing something really cool is inspiring and fun.” There are episodes that inform and episodes that inspire, and then there are episodes like this one with Dave Bossert that do both while bringing a big […]
Exploring Sacred Landscapes
“National parks are sacred not because of what we build, but because of what we protect.” When Sam Gennawey joins a conversation, you know you’re about to explore the story behind the story. Sam’s latest book, Sacred Landscapes, takes readers on a six-year, 175,000-mile journey through national parks from the lens of someone who’s quite […]
Do You Need Park Experience to Manage a Park
“You don’t have to come from parks to lead in parks. But you do have to embrace the culture, listen, and lead with purpose.” Every so often, an email lands in my inbox that reminds me why I started this show in the first place. In this episode, Phil Gaines and I respond to a […]
The Politics of Public Lands
After a recent expedition to Chile with The Nature Conservancy, I returned home reflecting on a global truth: public lands are political. Whether it’s South America or South Carolina, land conservation stirs up a lot of passion. For many people it’s complexity can also lead to quite a bit of debate. For years, I’ve avoided […]
The National Parks Classroom
“I’m going to do something that’s connected to the national parks or our or a state park near me so that I can use my knowledge and see the real world impact it has. And that way, I never am stuck in class asking, why is this important? Why on earth do I have to […]