Park Leaders Show

On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss park retention with COVID-19 impacts beginning to fade.

After 15 months of social distancing, parks, like most enterprises, are slowly returning to normality. Accordingly, Phil asks two critical questions:

1) How do we get back to normal?

2) How do we educate and engage in what we want them to learn?

As Phil and Jody discuss, state parks should embrace the opportunity to provide more resources, from kiosks to online, where new visitors can engage new information. More initiatives can emerge with less focus on health preservation by focusing on customer service, new activities, and client feedback.

Overall, the time has never been better for state park service models to step up. For state parks, why not accept the call to lead the way?

Connect:

www.parkleaders.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

Direct download: Ep_234__-_Welcoming_New_Park_Visitors.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Alan Spears, Senior Director of Cultural Resources for the National Parks Conservation Association, joins the show to discuss civil discourse in state parks.

In a politically charged era, the struggle to promote diversity is real. Tensions are high, feelings are fragile, and confrontations are ignitable if not handled appropriately. Yet, as Alan explains, state parks can play a part in healing cultural and racial divisions. Not only can parks commemorate national pride through select monuments and landmarks but also serve as refuges for civil discourse where people can engage in culturally sensitive conversations.

As he suggests, if park rangers and interpreters work together to encourage inclusivity, then the strain of social stress will lessen.

Connect:

www.parkleaders.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

Direct download: Ep_233_-_Civil_Discourse_in_Parks_Alan_Spears.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Jackson Lake State Senior Park Director Amy Brandenburg joins the show to discuss becoming dark-sky certified.

Having helped her Morgan County state park achieve dark-sky certified status in September 2020, Amy explains the requirements of obtaining the designation. As she points out, the accreditation process can be exhausting for parks pursuing similar endeavors. For starters, park rangers must not only file an extended application but revise their park’s resources to meet light pollution regulations.

Despite the hard work, Amy is hopeful new tourism trends will continue in 2021 and beyond. As a charge for other state parks, Amy advises rangers to think outside the box to maximize their resources, protect the environment and inspire attendance.

Connect:

www.parkleaders.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

Direct download: Ep_232_-_Making_Your_Park_Dark_Sky_Friendly_Amy_Brandenburg.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

On this special episode of the Park Leaders Show, the Logsdon family joins the show to discuss iguanas and working with families as camp hosts.

As a family on the go, the Logsdon live an abnormal life; however, while their mobile, small-home lifestyle has been perceived unorthodox by some, the learning, volunteer, and mentoring opportunities have well made up for it. According to Nathan, more young families should consider camp hosting as a realistic venture. Even in shoulder seasons, camp hosts can reap resume building leads and reach a broader group of people as they learn more about nature and culture in state parks.

Resources:

Website: mamasaysnamaste.com

E-mail: ashley@mamasaysnamaste.com

Connect:

www.parkleaders.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

Direct download: Ep_231_-_Working_With_Familes_as_Camp_Hosts_Logsdon_Family.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, biologist, Gina Zwicky, joins the show to discuss her passion for frogs.

Charming, charismatic, and ecologically intriguing, Gina explains how frogs inspired her career as well as her side hustles. Currently serving as a park service volunteer, Gina also discusses why she enjoys taking people on interpretative nature hikes and what people can do to improve their interactions.

For instance, while frogs are suffering due to human activity, by connecting with nature through interpretation and community science programs, people can enhance the quality of frogs as they participate in ecological monitoring.

Resources:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GinaGoesOutside

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginagoesoutside/

Connect:

www.parkleaders.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

Direct download: Ep_230_-_For_the_Love_of_Frogs_Gina_Zwicky.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:00am PDT

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