“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 […]
state parks
The Future of Camping
“… they don’t have to make conservation their top priority. So you combine those 2, and they are really doing some innovative things around camping.” The increasing demand for camping in natural parks has impacted the future of camping. Companies are taking notice and working to proactively prepare for this growing interest. During this conversation, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
The Biggest Issues for Parks in 2023
On this episode of Park Leaders Show Donald Forgione joins to discuss some of the biggest issues for parks in 2023. Resources www.parkleaders.com https://parkleaders.com/about/ Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/
Be a Champion for Public Lands
On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss ways to be a champion for public lands. Jody and Phil are joined by special guest and nationally recognized historian, Clay Jenkinson. Clay Jenkinson is a nationally recognized historian, author, and public humanities scholar. Specifically, he has a special interest in […]
Operating with a Sense of Urgency
On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the importance of operating with a sense of urgency. While urgency is often discussed as a function of time, as Phil explains, the term for park rangers should be viewed through intentionality. Like business leaders, park rangers should not reduce […]