Park Leaders has been discussing diversity lately. Diversity is on of the most pressing issues to ensure parks remain relevant.

You can not examine diversity in parks without coming across the name Jose Gonzalez. Jose is the founder of Latino Outdoors.

Jose founded Latino Outdoors to connect leadership, culture, and communities with conservation, nature, and the great outdoors. He works closely with organizations seeking to add diversity to their outdoor and conservation programs.

Latino Outdoors is a platform for Latino Outdoor and Environmental Education Professionals to serve as role models and leads for guided hikes and outdoor excursions for Latino communities—all ages and generations, bilingual and Spanish-speaking. We help set up and lead outings for Latino community members for the purpose of expanding the Latino experience in the Outdoors—with a focus on providing positive transformative experiences with cultural relevancy.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Jose discusses the relevance of Latinos in the future of parks and conservation.

What We Talk About

• Why Jose founded Latino Outdoors • The Mission of Latino Outdoors • Why Parks should specifically address Latinos • Why there are not more Latino Park Rangers and what we can do about it

Resources

• Latino Outdoors • Bay Area National Parks • Parks Forward

You may find this episode uncomfortable. I am fine with that. John Griffith will call you out.

Our parks are not just for white guys in fleece jackets. You would have that impression though if you visited most of our national our state parks. Park Rangers are not a diverse group. Neither are park visitors, for the most part.

If the answer is to hire diverse employees for only office jobs and think that's a good enough effort for your diversity goals, message of parks will eventually go extinct.

That is the message John Griffith preaches to stakeholders of national and state parks.

John is a supervisor with the California Conservation Corps, who has become best known for his hip-hop dancing.

The attention John has received for his dancing has allowed him a new platform to spread his message of conservation and diversity.

What We Talk About

• The importance of exploring outdoors • How urban youth respond to the outdoors • Diversity in Parks • Why outreach to minority groups does not work • Finding ways to connect with diverse demographic groups • Making recreation appealing vs. protecting the park • How people build relationships with nature • How dancing has allowed John to connect with Urban Youth • The sacred role of a Park Ranger

Resources

• John Griffith's Youtube Channel • California Conservation Corps • The Corps Network • Outdoor Afro • Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv • Totem Magic: Going Mad by John Griffith • Music by Jason Harrod

Here is the video of John dancing that got all of the attention;

The Boss Dances Like a BOSS! John Griffith Dancing to Travis Porter (click to watch on YouTube

Once I saw this video I knew I had to talk to John;

 John Griffith Dancing to Bird Machine by DJ Snake (click to watch on YouTube)

Jack Hartt is Park Manager of Deception Pass State Park. Deception Pass is considered to be the flagship park of Washington State, and many consider Jack to be the flagship Ranger. He has inspired or trained many Rangers who went on to become Park Managers or Assistant Managers. Jack has been manager at Deception Pass State Park, Washington's busiest park, and Riverside State Park, Washington's largest park.

What We Talk About

• Managing relationships • Focusing on developing the right people • The role of a Park Manager • The role of an Assistant Park Manager • The role of a leader without a formal title • Finding a mentor • The "Park-Like" concept • Introducing a new Manager to a park

Resources

• Rocky Mountain National Park • Riverside State Park • Deception Pass State Park • It's Your Ship by Michael Abrashoff • Eleven Rings and The Last Season by Phil Jackson • Interpreting our Heritage by Freeman Tilden • Environmental Interpretation by Sam Ham

Books by Jack Hartt

• A Day in the Park With Ranger Jack • Two Hands and a Shovel • A Walk Around the Block • Proper Size Me

Bill Overby, Commander of the Parks Law Enforcement Academy

Bill Overby is Commander of the Parks Law Enforcement Academy at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, WA. He was a Park Ranger with Washington State Parks for 32 years, including 20 years as manager of Deception Pass State Park. Commander Overby recommends you don't  let the park define you, even as you give your all to your career.

What We Talk About

• How are cadets are not prepared when they arrive at the academy • How to tell if cadets will stand out in the academy • The importance of writing well • Traits of Rangers who become leaders • Biggest challenge of being a Park Manager • How to handle a promotion when you now supervise your peers • Recruitment and retention of employees • The importance of appearance • Balancing your career and family life

Resources

• Deception Pass State Park • Parks Law Enforcement Academy at Skagit Valley College • Music by Jason Harrod