"Focus on common objectives and goals, you can get to where you want to be without being divisive."

When people first enter the world of park management, they don't expect to be involved in politics. Yet, as time goes on it's not uncommon to find yourself at the center of political discussions on issues like land use and resource management. It is important to focus on governance rather than personal politics. Politics affects everyone in parks, from park rangers to directors.

Parks are deeply intertwined with politics at every level. The higher up in the system, the more one has to understand who they work for. Phil and I have found that it is best to navigate these situations by focusing on the core values of stewardship and service. It is important to stay true to your core values as a park person and have a strong ethical background. Compromise is critical when dealing with people of different ideas. It is also important to not lose sight of the primary responsibility – the preservation of the parks under your care.

As a park ranger, the focus should be on the protection of the property, not personal politics. It is important to build a good reputation and character to be able to influence decisions and advocate for the park's protection. By building strong relationships and a reputation for integrity you will be able to work effectively with politicians, advocating for the best interest of the parks and the people they serve.

Resources

www.parkleaders.com

https://parkleaders.com/about/

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

Episode Highlights

00:00:02 - The Politics of Parks

00:03:30 - Getting Involved in Politics

00:06:09 - Compromise and Common Goals

00:09:40 - Politics in Parks at Different Levels

00:15:02 - Importance of Separating Politics and Governance

00:17:24 - Personal politics vs. governance

00:19:21 - Understanding Director's Role

00:20:27 - Navigating Decisions

00:21:32 - Climate Change

"The customer is rarely right, but they're always the customer."

Phil Gaines joins to discuss the surge in misbehavior among park visitors after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a number of factors that could have caused this increase. One is the increase in new visitors who were not familiar with the park's rules and regulations. Like many places, there also seemed to be a lack of customer service focus among staff. Both of those combined creates the inherent difficulty in managing large crowds.

This episode gives great reminders as to the importance of educating visitors about park etiquette. I love Phil's proactive approach to addressing potential issues. What ways are you addressing the concerns with visitor behavior before they have a chance to escalate?

In this episode, we discuss:

• factors behind increased misbehavior in parks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• the significance of educating visitors about park rules and regulations.

• responsibilities of park leaders in ensuring clean facilities and a positive visitor experience.

• how to embrace a ranger-first mentality and proactive approach to address misbehavior in park settings.

• how to separate personal emotions from work and concentrate on finding solutions

Instead of letting misbehavior among visitors ruin the park experience, take a proactive approach that could change the game for parks everywhere. Take a listen to this episode for ideas on how to take back control of the experience in parks.

Resources

www.parkleaders.com

https://parkleaders.com/about/

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

Episode Highlights

00:02:21 - Increase in Misbehavior in Parks

00:06:08 - Tips for Dealing with Bad Behavior

00:10:25 - Importance of Presence

00:13:08 - Handling Bad Behavior

00:14:43 - Ranger First Mentality

00:16:21 - Advantages of Non-Law Enforcement for Education

00:19:06 - Don't Take It Personal

00:21:19 - Customer Expectations