Marty Huseman is the Chief Ranger at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area. Her career with the National Park Service has taken her all over the country.

As she began her career, she was advised to take a job at a park most people have not heard of. She followed that advice and became a Park Ranger at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area.

Marty's interest in developing the next generation of Park Ranger's led her to become involved in the Park's Law Enforcement Academy with Bill Overby. Marty was a founding member of  the National Park Service Honor Guard.

In this interview Marty talks about her career and path to becoming a Chief Ranger. She also outlines the structure of National Park and the roles of different staff. We also discuss whether parks is a man's world and the challenges Marty has faced being a female Park Ranger.

Resources

• OPM Leadership Competencies

Ray Murray could be considered an environmental elder. He has been working in the field of parks, recreation, and conservation for decades. Ray is currently the Partnerships Program Chief for the Pacific West Region of the National Park Service.

In this interview, Ray shares the biggest changes he has seen during his time with the National Park Service. Ray talks about the traits of successful park managers, what a successful partnerships looks like, and advice for up and coming leaders.

Ray feels the biggest challenge facing parks is remaining relevant. As the world changes outside of park boundaries, parks have had trouble keeping up. Ray understands parks can not rely on people who look like him, recreate like him, or act like him. Parks needs to reach into urban areas, connect across generations, and be available for people of all income levels.

Ray's wisdom can help new rangers and veterans alike.

I have had the opportunity to talk to many people about why they became a park ranger. Each story is personal and unique, but the answer Amanda Llanes gave really stood out.

Amanda was a cadet at Skagit Valley College Parks Law Enforcement Academy when we introduced by Commander Bill Overby. She was attending the academy on a scholarship from Hawaii Pacific Parks Association. Commander Overby thought her story was worth sharing.

She has taken on the responsibility of representing two cultures, both trying to accomplish something through preserving land and culture.

When I asked her why she wanted to be a park ranger, she said she wanted to be a hero. You see, to Amanda, anyone who protects the environment and culture is a hero.

I hope her message reaches anyone who works in parks, no matter your position or how long you have been serving.

This interview with Amanda took place while she was a cadet at the Academy. I hope to interview Amanda periodically during her career so we can all follow how she develops. Her career can give us real examples of the challenges and pleasures a ranger will face early in her career. And I hope to get excellent examples of leaders having an impact on her development.

Below is the entire graduation ceremony from the Skagit Valley College Parks Law Enforcement Academy. It is long, but you will hear plenty about Amanda during the ceremony. She wins several awards, get recognition from the Commander and fellow cadets. Amanda also does a cultural presentation to the Commander and other leaders.

Skagit Valley College's PLEA Graduation of 2014 (click to watch on YouTube)

During a camping trip at Maumee Bay State Park I watched as the park prepared for a Fourth of July celebration. Small flags lined the entrance road to the campground. Every campsite had an individual flag. Volunteers were meeting to discuss the plan for a bike parade the next day.

Watching this made me consider the impact preparation can have on a park.

Park Ranger Joseph Felgenhauer taught me about the impact of preparation and the importance of interpreting an experience. During one hike along the Little Spokane River, while leading a group of school kids, Joseph taught me the following things;

Use words to guide and experience. Ranger Felgenhauer used words to lead his guests to discover and learn.

Encourage people to participate. Ranger Felgenhauer encouraged kids to touch everything they came across on the trail.

Point out what you want people to see. A customer could miss something outstanding if you don't point it out to them.

Know what your customers are going to see, feel, and experience. Ranger Felgenhauer knew every turn and curve his guest would walk on the interpretive hike.

Preparation trumps knowledge. Preparation can leave you in a position to adjust to anything that may arise.

Nothing beats preparation. Don't leave people your visitors to have a good time on their own. Prepare for it.

There is no substitute for WOW. Ranger Felgenhauer WOWed his guest. The WOW is what they will remember, not the weather or the beautiful trees.

Resources

Riverside State Park

 Grand Canyon Shaped Over Time: Ranger Minute (Geology) (click to watch on YouTube)

Consider your last visits to our National Parks. Just pick one, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, or Mount Ranier. How many African-American faces did you see on your visit?

Even better, when was the last time you saw an African-American face under the flat hat?

It is clear there is a piece missing if the faces you see could combine into a puzzle.

Teresa Baker is trying to change that. She would like to see more faces like hers when she visits National Parks.

Not content to sit back and wish, she learned forward to do her part. She founded African-American National Parks Day, which is gaining momentum in its second year. Despite the gaining popularity of this event, her hope is that the event is not even needed in five years.

Teresa and I talk about this special day, and then we go deeper. We talk about why we don’t see more African-Americans recreating in our parks and how parks can connect better with the African-American community. I also ask Teresa some uncomfortable questions, and she gives honest answers you are going to want to here.

Resources

• African American National Parks Day • Outdoor Afro