Park Leaders Show

I have been a lifelong fan of Smokey Bear. This month, August 2014, Smokey Bear celebrates his 70th birthday. Imagine that. Smokey has been with us since the Second World War.

Seventy years of grandfatherly advice about wildfires. Seventy years of raising awareness of the impact of fire. Seventy years of standing on the roadside alerting you of the fire hazard. Seventy years of watching over us and protecting our natural resources.

As a child I looked up to Smokey. As a Park Ranger I bonded with Smokey as we were both stewards of the forest. As a wildland firefighter I appreciate the hard work Smokey put towards fighting the same battle.

Fred Hernandez, Acting National Fire Prevention Coordinator for the US Forest Service, joins me to talk about Smokey and his lifelong mission to raise awareness about wildfires.

You may be surprised to learn some of the history behind Smokey Bear. Fred talks about why Smokey was created, where his name came from, the story of Smokey Bear who lived in the National Zoo, and why Smokey's tag line changed to "Only you can prevent Wildfires.

There are many ways to get in touch with Smokey. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and of course Smokey has his own website. Smokey is so popular he even has his own zip code. You can send a letter directly to Smokey at; Smokey Bear Washington, DC 20252

If you are reading this in email, click here to listen to the episode.

This episode features a special song performed by The Wild Ponies.

Smokey Bear - Bearhug (click to watch on YouTube)

Direct download: PL21_Seventy_Years_of_Smokey.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 2:15am PDT

For this episode, I invited a guest to return and we took questions from park rangers in the field. 

So far, the most listened to episode has been Don't Let the Park Define You with Commander Bill Overby. I invited Bill back because you like him, and because he has a heart for both State and National Parks. As Commander of the Parks Law Enforcement Academy in Mount Vernon, WA, he is connected to the young rangers as they begin their career.

He has been the commander for over a decade and spent over thirty years as a Park Ranger with Washington State Parks. If something could happen to a Park Ranger, he has seen it, done it, or dealt with the consequences of someone else doing it. To tap into his wisdom, we took a couple of questions from Park Rangers and answered them on the Park Leaders Show. We also dug in deep and talked about the topic beyond the questions.

We explore the idea of having fun while working at a park. Can you have fun and still be professional?

We also discuss integrity when filling out applications for park service jobs. Commander Overby feels strongly about this and he will explain why.

You may not know this, but I hold a record at the Law Enforcement Academy. Ten years after I was a cadet no one has matched what I did. Commander Overby discusses my accomplishment and why he thinks no one else will be able to match it.

If you are reading this in email click here to hear the episode.

Direct download: PL20_Fun_and_Professional.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:57am PDT

Each year, the National Park Service asks Rangers to single out one ranger who epitomizes the Ranger ethic. Believe me, there are so many rangers who could be help up as an example of excellence on the job. So when one ranger is selected to receive the Harry Yount Award for Excellence, you know this is someone special.

My guest today, Tom Betts, is the most recent recent recipient Harry Yount Award. Tom Betts is the Chief Ranger at Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico. If I were to exaggerate everything you think of a Park Ranger, I would almost be able to describe Tom.

Tom has protected park visitors and resources during volcano eruptions, wild land fires, earthquakes, floods, snowstorms, wildlife encounters, and search and rescue missions. He has conducted patrols via foot, truck, boat, helicopter, raft, ATV, skis, snowmobile, horseback, and airplane.

Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, said this about park rangers,

"They are a fine, earnest, intelligent, and public spirited body of men, these rangers. Though small in number, their influence is large. Many and long are the duties heaped upon their shoulders. If a trail is to be blazed, it is 'send a ranger.' If an animal is floundering in the snow, a ranger is sent to pull him out; if a bear is in the hotel, if a fire threatens a forest, if someone is to be saved, it is 'send a ranger.' If a Dude wants to know the why, if a Sagebrusher is puzzled about a road, it is 'ask the ranger.' Everything the ranger knows, he will tell you, except about himself."

I am convinced he was talking about Tom Betts. Now, I know Tom would not want me saying this about him. When I first asked him to be on the Park Leaders Show, he told me he has spent the last 32 years trying to stay out of the spot light. He was gracious enough to be a guest on the Park Leaders Show and now his secret is out.

Tom talks about his career with the National Park Service, the story of meeting his wife at the Grand Canyon, and offers advice to up and coming leaders in the park system.

If you are reading this in email click here to listen to the episode.

Direct download: PL19_Harry_Yount_Award.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:40am PDT

When you want to talk about youth involved in parks and recreation, the best place to start is with the Corps Network. I have become fond of the Corps Network and they work they do. Not just the work for parks and conservation, but the work they do in the lives of young people.

One of those young people who made the most of her time with the Corps is Ruby Simonian. Ruby glows with excitement about her time with the California Conservation Corps. She gives the Corps credit for building her confidence, skills, and experience. Prior to becoming involved in the CCC, Ruby was not motivated to do much with her future. When she left the Corps, she felt she could have an impact on the world.

Ruby's hard work with the Corps did not go unnoticed. She was awarded 2014 Corpsmember of the Year.

Ruby offers advice to leaders on how to connect with youth working in their parks. She also talks about John Griffith, and the impact he had on her time with the Corps. She holds John up as an example of how leaders can work with youth.

If you are reading this in email, click here to listen to the podcast.

Direct download: PL18_Working_with_Youth.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:00am PDT

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