President Theodore Roosevelt was a pivotal figure in the early days of the National Park Service. The National Park Service as we know it would not exist without Theodore Roosevelt.

Clay Jenkinson as Theodore Roosevelt

Clay Jenkinson portrays President Roosevelt in this episode of the Park Leaders Show. Clay allows us to step back into time and talk with the 26th President of the United States.

Clay Jenkinson is a humanities scholar, author and social commentator who is considered one of the most entertaining public speakers in the United States. Clay is dedicated to researching the historical characters he portrays and brings history to life. Clay is best known for his portrayal of Thomas Jefferson.

Clay is the creator and host of the nationally syndicated radio program The Thomas Jefferson Hour. Clay is also the author of several books, including The Character of Meriwether Lewis.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Clay is in character as Theodore Roosevelt as we discuss the fight for National Parks, the National Park Service's 100th birthday and what President Roosevelt thinks of Park Rangers.

As the National Park Service prepares to celebrate the Centennial, President Roosevelt encourages us to decide what the essential National Park Service  purpose is, and then bring park use in line to meet that purpose.

When I was a new park ranger, I noticed the Park Manager, Jack Hartt, would carry a camera in his pocket. I saw him take photos of trees, bugs, turkey, park rangers, and even vehicle accidents and vandalism.

Carrying a camera with you makes sense, right? Park rangers spend their days in the most beautiful places. We have the opportunity to take photographs of areas or situations most people never see.

Today, most of us carry a powerful camera right in our pocket. Smartphones have cameras equal in quality to professional cameras just a few years ago. If anyone knows how to use a smartphone to capture incredible moments as photographs,  it is David Molnar.

David Molnar - Celebrity, Music and Advertising photographer

David Molnar is a celebrity, music, and advertising photographer. David is also the author of iPhone Only Photographer. In this book, as well as on his website, David shares tips to taking stunning photographs with a smartphone.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, David explains how park rangers can use the phone in their pocket to take amazing photographs and tell the story of the park.

David has also made a generous offer to listeners of the Park Leaders Show. CLICK HERE to get access to three ebooks to help you improve your photography.

If you want to learn more about David Molnar, check out this interview I did with him on the Starve the Doubts podcast.

Would you like some beautiful Park Leaders stickers? You can get those here.

Donald Forgione, Director of Florida State Parks, returns to the Park Leaders Show.

In this episode, we discuss how Florida State Parks connects with communities of color. Director Forgione also talks about how park rangers should be seen as leaders in the community outside of the park.

Florida State Parks is proactive in seeking out up and coming leaders. Once a leader is identified, they are given the opportunity to take on more responsibility to grow.

If you want to support Park Leaders, and show pride in the work you do, Limited Edition Park Leaders stickers are available now. Get yours here.

Donald Forgione began his career as a Park Ranger with Florida State Parks. Over time, Ranger Forgione became Director Forgione.

As Director of Florida State Parks, Donald Forgione considers himself to be a ranger first. In fact, he signs off on email correspondence with "Ranger First" as a reminder to himself, and others, that he approaches his Director responsibilities as a park ranger.

In this episode, Director Forgione shares his journey with Florida State Parks and why having been a ranger helps him perform his duties as Director. He also shares how values move beyond words to become behaviors in a park agency.

Director Forgione explains what the Ranger First concept means to him and how it impacts his job as Director.