“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 […]
Park Ranger
Dealing With Administrative Change
“You have to be ready because change is constant, and you have to be able to adapt and adjust.” As the retired director of South Carolina State Parks and a current professor at Clemson University, Phil Gaines has wisdom on navigating administrative changes in park systems that is invaluable. Phil joined me to break down the […]
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, […]
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, […]
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 […]
What Has Changed in Parks in the Last Decade
“If you look back over the last 100 years of significant events in America’s parks, state, national, local, that, you know, on that list of the top 10 or 15 things that’s changed the way we manage parks is, how we did the pandemic.” We just celebrated a major milestone—300 episodes of the Park Leaders […]
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 […]
Document History
“Sometimes we forget, or perhaps even take for granted, the significant role that we may be we may be playing in this legacy that we call parks.” It is incredibly important to preserve the historical legacy of our national and state parks. There is a need to capture significant events, natural disasters, and park facilities […]
The Impact of Local Conservation
“those little tidbits of information really help park and conservation leaders be better in their jobs, be better stewards of the resources, and just be better community leaders.” – Chris Lee Local conservation efforts have a lasting impact on communities and individuals. Chris Lee, the executive director of Des Moines County Conservation, joins for […]
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 […]