Even in an urban setting, there is wilderness all around. Birds, bugs, plants are not just getting by, but thriving living in a city. 

Most people never notice. Most people quickly move from one place to another without looking up or down to see the life around them. Or, wildlife is so common it goes unnoticed. When was the last time you thought about a pigeon? Or a snail? So much life in a city goes unseen. 

Nathanael Johnson not only noticed the urban wilderness around him, he wrote a book about it. Unseen City takes a look at the majesty of pigeons, the discreet charm of snails and other wonders of the urban wilderness. 

Unseen City combines great writing, deep research with the curiosity of Johnson's young daughter, Josephine. The curiosity of Josephine helps us all learn more about the wildlife around us but usually goes unseen. 

This is a book is a must for any park bookstore in an urban area. 

Armando Quintero spent 22 years with the National Park Service. Now, Armando is the Executive Director of the Sierra Nevada Research Institute at The University of California, Merced. 

When Armando left his career as parks, he knew his background would allow him to be an advocate for parks from the outside. 

Experience from the inside and the outside of parks has given Armando a unique perspective of our parks and their place in our society. Armando discusses the importance of adaptive leadership in parks. 

Armando recommends The Forest Ranger by Herbert Kaufman. 

Matt Carroll did not follow a typical path to becoming a Superintendent with the National Park Service. 

During a full career with the Air Force, Matt picked up all the skills he would need to be a Park Superintendent; management, budgets, leadership, operations and more. He also volunteered with the National Park Service for many years before he retired from the Air Force. 

Typically, by the time a ranger becomes a superintendent, he or she has been immersed in the culture of the park service for years. Matt came in from the outside to the role of Superintendent of Greenbelt Park and Baltimore-Washington Parkway. 

Shortly after joining the Greenbelt Parkway, Matt developed a list of 2016 Superintendent Priorities. Matt posted the priorities at Park Headquarters so park staff, volunteers, and visitors could see them. 

Here are the 2016 Superintendent Priorities for the Greenbelt Park and Baltimore-Washington Parkway;

1. Improve Visitor Experience, Customer Support & Partnerships
2. Institute Sound Business Practices
3. Foster a Culture of Safety in Daily Operations
4. Ensure Good Stewardship of Park Resources and Facilities
5. Develop and Support a Professional Workforce

Sam Ovett and Jenna Hanger are living a life that will make you jealous. It makes me jealous. Sam and Jenna are Traveling Trainers for Leave No Trace. They travel the western United States teaching the principals of Leave No Trace to students, communities, volunteers, and government agencies.

As Traveling Trainers, they visit some of our most beautiful places and spend over 250 nights per year camping. Spending so much time together worked out well for Sam and Jenna. They are engaged to be married and plan on launching their own business later this year.

One interesting aspect of being a traveling trainer is the Leave No Trace Hot Spot program. This unique program focuses on areas that have been negatively impacted by recreational use. Traveling Trainers work with the community and stakeholders of a Hot Spot to help recover and protect the area for future generations.

You can follow Sam & Jenna on Instagram  to keep up to date on their adventures.

Brandon Kramer joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about the new documentary film, City of Trees. 

City of Trees follows Washington Parks and People as the organization uses a grant to plant trees in parks Washington DC.  The story plays out with struggle and triumph as the organization as you get to know people who are hired to plant trees.

During the film, you will learn about a community, learn about the men who are hired to plant trees, and learn about the organization trying to make it all work. 

Click here for opportunities to see the National Broadcast of City of Trees. PBS will be broadcasting City of Trees on April 19th. 

Many park agencies face budget struggles. Michigan State Parks faced the issues head-on by exploring new ways to add value to what parks offer.

Ron Olson, Chief of Michigan State Parks, joins the Park Leaders Show to explain the innovative ideas Michigan explored and implemented to survive budget cuts and offer more to park visitors. 

In this episode, Mr. Olson will explain the programs and services Michigan State Parks offered to guests to enhance recreational opportunities and increase funding. 

Here is an article from 2009 that outlines some of the challenges Michigan State Parks faced when Ron Olson become Chief. 

Caroline Blizzard is the Director of the Deep Creek Lake State Park Discovery Center. Caroline has created a successful education program about monarch butterflies. 

In this episode, you will learn how an education program in a park in Maryland has had an impact on the local community as well as a community in Mexico. 

Caroline will also share tips on how you can create a powerful educational program at your park. 

Private sector involvement in public parks is an issue most people are not indifferent on. Usually, people either see it as a solution to many of the problems parks face, or they are against any private involvement. You may not realize how involved the private sector is already involved in parks. 

John joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss the benefit of private sector involvement in parks. 

John Koeberer is the president of the California Parks Company. The California Parks Company has a presence in parks throughout California, providing services ranging from concessions, wedding services, and campground operations. 

John explains how private sector involvement can help parks with better marketing and business expertise. Better business operation will ensure parks do not become irrelevant. 

You can find Park Leaders on Facebook here. 

On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, John Griffith shares the story of creating the Bioblitz Dance with the encouragement and support of Rue Mapp of Outdoor Afro. 

John explains the reason for the Bioblitz Dance and the steps of the Bioblitz Dance. 

John Griffith challenges you and your park to do a Bioblitz Dance. If you do a Bioblitz Dance and let us know you are doing the dance because of the show, we will send you Park Leaders stickers for everyone who participates in the dance. You just have to let us know by letting us know on Facebook or include Bioblitz Dance and Park Leaders in the title of your video on YouTube.

You can find the Bioblitz Tutorial Here. 

Fort McHenry National Monument is one of Steve Clark's favorite National Parks. It is not for the obvious reasons either. It is because of baseball.

Steve got his connection to the outdoors through baseball. Of course, the national anthem is sung before every baseball game. The Star Spangled Banner was birthed at Fort McHenry.

Steve's story is an example of how many people are connected to parks in different ways to different parks for different reasons. Now, Steve is the Superintendent of the National Parks of Western Pennsylvania, including the Flight 93 Memorial. 

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Steve talks about his career in the National Park Service and the delicate balance of interpreting the story of Flight 93. 

In recent episodes of the Park Leaders Show, both Alan Spears and Jon Jarvis mentioned the Greening Youth Foundation. When two people I respect both mention the same organization, I know I have to look deeper. 

Angelou Ezeilo joins the Park Leaders Show to share her story and explain the work of Greening Youth Foundation. Greening Youth Foundation has had tremendous success engaging underrepresented youth and diverse youth to nature. 

Greening Youth Foundation connects parks to diverse workers who are newly introduced to potential careers in conservation and outdoor recreation. Angelou points out that parks and organizations can longer say there are not diverse people interested in conservation and recreation jobs. Any park or organization can connect with Greening Youth Foundation to find candidates. 

Alan Latourelle served as CEO of Parks Canada from 2002 to 2015. Alan joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss Parks Canada. 

In this episode, Latourelle talks about his experience as CEO. He also discusses Parks Canada Centennial, the growth of Parks Canada, and getting more Canadian youth into parks. 

We also explore the relationship between Parks Canada and First Nations. Indigenous people are 8% of Parks Canada staff and 12% of Parks Canada Executives.

Jon Jarvis, Director of the National Park Service, join the Park Leaders Show. Director Jarvis discusses his career, the National Parks Centennial, and the one thing National Parks offers you can find nowhere else. 

I was at a conference with Director Jarvis, and we were able to sit down for a face to face interview. During our conversation, Jon outlines his career path with the National Park Service and some of his milestones along the way. We talk about the preparation and planning for the National Park Service Centennial. Director Jarvis also explains the sense of place parks add to history that can be found nowhere else. 

Whether you work with the National Park Service or are a fan of parks, you do not want to miss this inside look at our National Park System. 

Music for the Park Leaders Show is created by Jason Harrod. 

Dawn Carr is the Executive Director of the Canadian Parks Council.  The Canadian Parks Council is an organization that unites national and provincial parks all across the country. 

Canadian Parks Council offers a Park System Leadership Course focused on developing excellent leaders in parks. Dawn offers that humility is the one common trait of leaders who participate in the Park Leadership Course. 

I had the pleasure to meet Dawn in person at the Inspiring a New Generation Summit. In this episode Dawn discusses what  Canada and the Canadian Parks Council is doing to connect youth to nature. 

Episode 80 of the Park Leaders Show is ten random park related ideas. Individually, the ideas did not make a full episode. Collectively, the ideas create an episode of 10 ideas in 10 minutes (11 minutes, actually, but 10 in 10 sounds better).

I recently attended the Ranger Rendezvous and the Inspiring a New Generation Summit. Next on my list is the CA Parks Training Conference, where I will give two presentations and be part of a panel discussion.

If you would like Park Leaders founder, Jody Maberry, to speak to your organization or at your event, please reach out.

At the Ranger Rendezvous, I was reminded how important it is to belong to a Ranger Association. The Rendezvous is the annual conference for the Association of National Park Rangers. A Ranger Association will introduce you to other Rangers. And you never know who could be your next supervisor, co-worker, or potential employee. 

Also at the Rendezvous, I met former Park Leader Show guests Bob Krumenaker and Cassius Cash. Anytime you have the opportunity to converse with a veteran park ranger; you should do it. 

If you are a Park Manager, and there is turnover at your park, it is because of you. You don't listen. That is why people leave. 

Visible tattoos on a park ranger are a bad idea. Tattoos should be concealed behind your uniform. 

Performance reviews are not very useful. But what if people were held accountable for other staff members attaining goals? Wouldn't that promote the teamwork we are looking for?

If you are a Park Manager or Superintendent, one of the best things you can do for your agency is to invest in an up and comer. You don't need a formal mentorship program to help someone out. 

The John Wayne Pioneer Trail is at risk. The state of Washington wants to give the trail to adjacent land owners. The threat to the trail is a prime example of why parks need to focus on diversity. If there were a diversity of voices from all backgrounds causing a ruckus, there would be no question about the future of the trail. 

The Park Leaders Show is due for another panel episode. In the past, there have been panel episodes about Diversity and Communication. What should come next?

Forget about adding more policies and procedures. New policies may show exactly how you want things done, but it gets in the way of creativity and job satisfaction. 

Want Park Leaders Stickers? You can get those here. 

Alan Spears is the Cultural Resources Director for the National Parks Conservation Association. Alan Spears and I had the opportunity to sit down together and talk about cultural resources at the Ranger Rendezvous, the annual conference of the Association of National Park Rangers. 

Alan got his start in the outdoors chasing frogs at Fort Dupont in Washington DC. Alan's presentation at the Ranger Rendezvous was about Urban Parks. His story shows the impact urban parks can have a child. And in this case, the child who played in nearby woods grew up to help the National Park Service protect and interpret cultural resources. 

In this episode, we also talk about Harpers Ferry, Fort Monroe and the National Park Service's role in interpreting slavery as a root cause of the Civil War. 

We also talk about why it is important for the National Park Service to tell stories that don't always have a storybook ending, like the Manhatten Project. 

Alan reminds us; the National Park Service should be proud of the work they do and what they have collectively accomplished. 

While discussing the challenge of enhancing cultural diversity in park staff and visitation, Alan mentions the Greening Youth Foundation as an example of an organization having an impact. 

Find Park Leaders on Facebook. 

Cam Sholly joins the Park Leaders Show to offer a look at the National Park Service from a Region perspective.

Cam is the Region Director for the Midwest Region of the National Park Service. In this episode, Cam explains how the Region offices offer support to parks throughout the region by putting Parks First. 

Cam discusses his experience as a ranger in the field as a Chief Ranger and Park Superintendent and moving into positions in Washington DC and a Region office. 

This episode will give you an understanding how the National Park Service operates from a Region level to a Park level. You will also gain insight on how a seasonal National Park Service can work towards a permanent position. 

We also discuss the impact parks can have on local economies and how parks can work with community partners to protect and enhance a park while boosting local tourism. 

Geocaching has been a popular outdoor activity for 15 years. It is in your park, or near your park. People will travel for miles to find a Geocache. 

Now, GeoTours can help parks create a deliberate, curated experience for visitors. A GeoTour is a collection of geocaches that take people on a tour of a specific area. Each stop can highlight a natural feature, a historical fact, a cultural resource, and tell a story. 

GeoTours have been used to highlight entire park systems, like this GeoTour with Kentucky State Parks, or an individual park, like this GeoTour at Mount Ranier. 

The friendly folks at Geocaching will help your park create a GeoTour and even work with you to create a GeoTour passport so participants can keep track of their progress. 

To find out more about GeoTour go here. 

To get your hands on elusive Park Leaders stickers go here. 

The Park Leaders Show goes international. In this episode, I talk with Pete Cleary, a park ranger at Philip Island Nature Parks in Australia. 

We examine the unique characteristics about Philip Island, as well as the common traits of parks and park rangers in different countries throughout the world. 

Ranger Cleary explains the concept of parks offering and Ultimate Experience to park visitors willing to pay for more access and experience at a park. 

In this episode, we also talk about the World Ranger Congress, the International Ranger Federation, and the Thin Green Line. 

Find more park resources at parkleaders.com.

After a tremendous performance as Theodore Roosevelt, Clay Jenkinson returns to the  Park Leaders Show to talk about Theodore Roosevelt and parks.

If you haven't yet listened to the episode with Clay in character as Theodore Roosevelt, Click here to listen. You will want to hear that episode first.

In this episode, Clay discusses Theodore Roosevelt's role in National Parks and the impact he still has today on our park system. We also discuss Ken Burn's National Park and Roosevelt films, the upcoming National Parks Centennial, the threat of vanishing viewsheds

Clay urges everyone to do two things to reconnect with parks;

1. Spend at least 4 days in a National Park with as few amenities as possible.
2. Read Walden and Mountains without Handrail

Clay Jenkinson is the creator of the Thomas Jefferson Hour and author of The Character of Meriwether Lewis.

President Theodore Roosevelt was a pivotal figure in the early days of the National Park Service. The National Park Service as we know it would not exist without Theodore Roosevelt.

Clay Jenkinson as Theodore Roosevelt

Clay Jenkinson portrays President Roosevelt in this episode of the Park Leaders Show. Clay allows us to step back into time and talk with the 26th President of the United States.

Clay Jenkinson is a humanities scholar, author and social commentator who is considered one of the most entertaining public speakers in the United States. Clay is dedicated to researching the historical characters he portrays and brings history to life. Clay is best known for his portrayal of Thomas Jefferson.

Clay is the creator and host of the nationally syndicated radio program The Thomas Jefferson Hour. Clay is also the author of several books, including The Character of Meriwether Lewis.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Clay is in character as Theodore Roosevelt as we discuss the fight for National Parks, the National Park Service's 100th birthday and what President Roosevelt thinks of Park Rangers.

As the National Park Service prepares to celebrate the Centennial, President Roosevelt encourages us to decide what the essential National Park Service  purpose is, and then bring park use in line to meet that purpose.

When I was a new park ranger, I noticed the Park Manager, Jack Hartt, would carry a camera in his pocket. I saw him take photos of trees, bugs, turkey, park rangers, and even vehicle accidents and vandalism.

Carrying a camera with you makes sense, right? Park rangers spend their days in the most beautiful places. We have the opportunity to take photographs of areas or situations most people never see.

Today, most of us carry a powerful camera right in our pocket. Smartphones have cameras equal in quality to professional cameras just a few years ago. If anyone knows how to use a smartphone to capture incredible moments as photographs,  it is David Molnar.

David Molnar - Celebrity, Music and Advertising photographer

David Molnar is a celebrity, music, and advertising photographer. David is also the author of iPhone Only Photographer. In this book, as well as on his website, David shares tips to taking stunning photographs with a smartphone.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, David explains how park rangers can use the phone in their pocket to take amazing photographs and tell the story of the park.

David has also made a generous offer to listeners of the Park Leaders Show. CLICK HERE to get access to three ebooks to help you improve your photography.

If you want to learn more about David Molnar, check out this interview I did with him on the Starve the Doubts podcast.

Would you like some beautiful Park Leaders stickers? You can get those here.

Donald Forgione, Director of Florida State Parks, returns to the Park Leaders Show.

In this episode, we discuss how Florida State Parks connects with communities of color. Director Forgione also talks about how park rangers should be seen as leaders in the community outside of the park.

Florida State Parks is proactive in seeking out up and coming leaders. Once a leader is identified, they are given the opportunity to take on more responsibility to grow.

If you want to support Park Leaders, and show pride in the work you do, Limited Edition Park Leaders stickers are available now. Get yours here.

Donald Forgione began his career as a Park Ranger with Florida State Parks. Over time, Ranger Forgione became Director Forgione.

As Director of Florida State Parks, Donald Forgione considers himself to be a ranger first. In fact, he signs off on email correspondence with "Ranger First" as a reminder to himself, and others, that he approaches his Director responsibilities as a park ranger.

In this episode, Director Forgione shares his journey with Florida State Parks and why having been a ranger helps him perform his duties as Director. He also shares how values move beyond words to become behaviors in a park agency.

Director Forgione explains what the Ranger First concept means to him and how it impacts his job as Director.

Are we leaving out Millennials from the park experience?

I recently read an article in Outside Magazine questioning if the outdoor industry has a Millennial problem.

This article from Outside magazine touches on many issues relevant to parks and recreation. In the Northwest, in particular, recreation can be more about the jacket you wear while hiking than the actual hike itself.

While outdoor clothing companies were racing for more high-tech options, they left out the younger generation. With no regard for Millennials, clothing and gear companies continue to offer high-end, high-priced options.

Are parks making the same mistake? Are we racing to cash in on high priced recreation?

Most park systems are moving toward cabins and expensive RV sites. Millennials do not stay in expensive cabins or drive RVs. So what happens in 10 years when Millennials will be the key demographic for parks?

It doesn’t stop with just cabins and full hookup sites for RVs, I know of at least one situation where a park had a 100% occupancy rate during the summer. As a result, the agency raised the camping fees for that park.

I get it. Parks has to run like a business. But believe me, running like a business is not about making more money this year. Running like a business means to create a WOW experience that excites someone who camps in your park now will come back later in the summer.

And next summer.

And the summer after that.

Eventually, they will bring their kids. Perhaps someday they come back in a big expensive RV. But not today. Not this summer. Not when Millennials are at the prime age to reach them.

And if you don’t get Millennials now, you stand the chance never to get them.

If we don't make parks appealing to millennials now, they will not be visiting parks in 10 years. They have an interest in what Parks has to offer, but we are suggesting there is not a place for them in parks. Our actions suggest we are most welcoming to retirees in large RVs or families that can afford to stay in cabins.

But what are we doing in parks to suggest there is a place for Millennials?

As Tae Kim said in the Outside Magazine article - “If you just get people outside having a good time, Mother Nature takes over. They’re hooked for life.

Have you noticed the National Park Service Find Your Park campaign?

There is a park for everyone, is what the National Park Service wants you to know with the Find Your Park campaign. But don't assume parks are only wilderness or wooded parks. If that were the case, not everyone would find their park.

Many people are finding their park in Washington D. C. in the form of monuments, historic sites, parkways, and even the White House. The National Park Service has a large presence in our nation's capital.

Philip Selleck, Associate Region Director of the National Park Service Capital Region, joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss the urban parks of Washington D.C. Phil will talk about the challenges of operating parks that see a large volume of traffic that experience shorter visits.

Phil also discusses promoting through the ranks of the National Park Service. From seasonal park ranger to chief ranger, Phil offers advice on what it takes to get promoted.

Spencer Cox, Lt. Governor of Utah, joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about the value of state and national parks to the state of Utah.

Utah is fortunate to be home to five national parks, several national monuments and a thriving state parks system. The parks boost the economy and create jobs. Perhaps more importantly, Lt. Governor Cox suggest parks are part of the fabric of the Utah lifestyle.

Lt. Governor Cox also offers insight to how state government view a park system. He talks about funding, maintenance, and how a state determines if their park system is successful. He also discusses privatization of parks

This episode is a valuable look into how a park system fits into priorities and planning from legislatures and the Governors office.

Lt. Governor Cox recently shared pictures and video from a recent vacation to promote outdoor recreation in Utah. You can watch the video here.

Nearly every one of the questions asked to Lt. Governor came not from the host of the Park Leaders Show, but from people in the field who work in a park every day.

Carol Quinn returns to the Park Leaders Show to explain how to hire great people. If you missed the first half of the interview with Carol Quinn, you can find it here.

In this episode, Carol will discuss how to improve your hiring process. Making small changes in the interview process can move you towards hiring high performers.

If you have ever made a bad hire, you understand the long-term impact it can have on your park or organization. Sometimes we don't interview properly. Sometimes we rush a hire because there is so much work to do.

It doesn't have to be this we. We can hire high performers nearly every time.

Also in this episode, we talk about the impact Motivation Based Hiring can have on the culture of an organization.

If you would like to learn more about Carol Quinn, or Motivation Based interviewing, visit HireAuthority.com.

You can also check out Carol's books, Don't Hire Anyone Without Me and Motivation Based Interviewing.

Lee Cockerell has said "Your most important responsibility is to hire and promote the right people for your organization." If that is true, we need to take a hard look at the way we hire people.

Carol Quinn, CEO of Hire Authority, joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about how you can improve your hiring.

Carol has helped many companies, including Disney, hire the right people. In this episode, we talk about what typical interviews look like, and why relying on gut feeling is a mistake.

Carol also gives us an introduction to Motivation Based Interviewing (MBI).

To learn more about MBI, you can find information and free resources on HireAuthority.com. Carol is the author of Motivation Based Interviewing and Don't Hire Anyone Without Me.

This interview with Carol Quinn will give you a headstart in understanding what you can do differently to hire high performers.

Recently, Eric Watilo issues a document to parks in his region of Washington State Parks giving ideas to make sure visitor's have a better experience when they visit parks.

When I saw the information Eric was getting out to people in parks, I knew I had to share it with you. Eric did not create this list for people to read and check a box. This is content meant to be discussed and considered.

Eric joins me on the Park Leaders Show to discuss his list of 12 Steps to Enhance a Visitor Experience.

If you are reading this in email, CLICK HERE to listen to the episode and go in depth with the 12 Steps.

12 Steps to Enhancing a Visitor's Experience

1. Smile – As simple as this may seem, not everyone smiles.
2. Greet Them – Use words to make them feel welcome.
3. In-Person is Priority – Never break off a face-to-face interaction with a visitor to answer the telephone or speak with another employee.
4. W.I.N – W.I.N stands for “What’s Important Now.”
5. Please and Thank You – Say it. Say it often. We all like to hear please and thank you.
6. You’re Welcome – Do not say “No Problem.” Use your manners and say "You're Welcome".
7. Recognize Who You Work For – Every one of us in Parks is a government employee.
8. It Is What You Say – What you say to a park visitor can strongly influence they experience have at the park.
9. Find the Answer and Follow-up – From time to time a visitor will ask you a question you do not have the answer to. Instead of saying “I don’t know” and leaving it there, tell the visitor you do not know but that you will find out and get back to them.
10. Make Time for the Visitor –  I understand in parks it is not always possible to do this, but when you can take the time to show a visitor what they are looking for, you certainly should.
11. “Thank You for Supporting Our Parks” – After every financial transaction you make with a customer, thank the guest for their support.
12. Listen to Park Leaders Podcast – In particular, listen to this episode about customer service with Lee Cockerell.

In addition to Eric Watilo's list, I have added for steps of my own to enhance a visitor's experience.

1. You are putting on a Show Every day – At Disney World employees are called Cast Members because they play a role in the big show they put on every day. You may not be at Disney World, but you are putting on a show every day.
2. Your personal problems don’t matter to the park visitor – I am not saying your personal problems don’t matter. I just want to be clear that your personal problems do not matter to the park visitor. Your issues should not get in the way of delivering top notch service.
3. Wear the Hat – If you are a park ranger you need to wear the iconic flat hat when you interact with park visitors. If park visitors don’t get to see a park ranger often, then seeing you should meet their expectations. And they expect you to wear the flat hat.
4. Serve like it is your mother – Have you ever had a loved one receive wonderful service? How did that make you feel? Your mother is special to you and you want others to treat her that way. This is exactly how you should treat every park visitor.

Music for the Park Leaders Show is provided by Jason Harrod.

Big Bend National Park is one of the most remote parks in the lower 48 states. Allen Etheridge, Chief Ranger at Big Bend, shares the experience of working at such a remote park.

Allen explains the lifestyle of living and working in a remote park. A remote park fosters a tight group who work together and play together. It becomes even more important to involve everyone on the team socially and in work.

Ranger Etheridge also discusses the role of a Chief Ranger. He provides purpose, motivation, and direction to the staff at Big Bend. A Chief Ranger needs to know, understand, and explain the message of the superintendent, as well as bring forth issues of the staff to the superintendent.

We also discuss interviewing and what to look for as you talk to job candidates.

Reading a wide variety of leadership books is important for anyone in a leadership position. Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey is one book Allen Etheridge recommends.

LaJuan Tucker received an introduction to conservation with the Texas Conservation Corps. She started as a crew member and eventually became a staff member.

LaJuan worked directly with young people of color who were interested in college or careers related to conservation. In this interview, LaJuan explains the common questions and concerns young people have about careers in conservation.

LaJuan parlayed her experience with the Conservation Corps to become a park ranger with the city of Austin, Texas. LaJuan credits her time with the Texas Conservation Corps as the catalyst to her becoming a park ranger. Had she not been exposed to conservation, she would not have become a ranger.

With the Austin Parks, LaJuan works on impactful projects such as Wildlife Austin. Austin is doing critical work to protect the Monarch Butterfly.

LaJuan Tucker is a model of the impact and headstart the Conservation Corps and Corps Network can give to young people.

County Parks play a vital role in the grand scheme of parks. A County Park system usually manages parks that range from urban to wilderness. County Parks are often a stepping stone between City Parks and a family making the leap to recreating in State or National Parks.

Mary Ann Bonnell, Visitor Services Supervisor with Jefferson County Open Space

Mary Ann Bonnell has experience in City Parks, State Parks, and non-profit organizations. Mary Ann is proud of her role with Jefferson County Open Space and the quality of life County Parks offer in her Colorado home.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, we examine the role of County Parks. Mary Ann also discusses urban wildlife and wildlife education. Through education, urban wildlife can connect people to the bigger natural world.

This week is a short episode to provide updates on what is going on with Park Leaders.

Thank you for the great feedback about the episode with Betty Soskin. It was a delight to interview her, and I am pleased you liked it as well. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, you don't want to miss it.

I have some upcoming trips. Perhaps we can meet up? I will be in Dallas in early August, and Asheville, NC in October. If you live nearby, and would like me to visit your park, get in touch. Or, if you would like to set up a speaking engagement, it would be fantastic to give a presentation about parks for you.

The People of Parks Project is going away soon. If you have not had a chance to lend your voice, you can do so here.

Would you like to be a contributor for Park Leaders? I have two opportunities for you. First, I am going to start including articles on the website. If you would like to contribute an article about parks, get in touch. I could use your help. Second, I want to include stories from Park Rangers other than myself on the Park Leaders Show. If you have a story you would like to share, reach out. Let's get your story on the show.

Have you checked out Creating Disney Magic yet? Creating Disney Magic is a show I do with Lee Cockerell. It is a weekly show about leadership, management, and customer service. There is plenty of value packed into the 15-minute episodes.

This episode of the Park Leaders Show felt like I was talking to history. Betty Soskin is the oldest park ranger in the United States. Betty is 93 years old.

Betty Soskin, Oldest Park Ranger. Photo by NPS

Yes, that is impressive. But even more impressive is Betty did not become a park ranger until she was 85 years old. Talking with Betty, I got the feeling she did not necessarily become a park ranger, she became part of the narrative of Rosie the Riveter National Historic Park, and that involved wearing a park ranger uniform.

"Whatever I do, they call rangering. But I would be doing it anyway because it is the only thing I know."

Betty Soskin first collected national attention when she was furloughed during the government shutdown. When asked what the government should do to end the shutdown, Betty replied, "I am not wise enough to tell them what to do, except to get out of my way."

The government shutdown was an obstacle to Betty's telling her story and getting important work done. Betty tackles each day with a sense of urgency rarely seen in people decades younger than her.

Betty's story is an American story that can be told by no one else I have ever met. Her message, her life, and her contribution to the National Park Service is a story you don't want to miss. This episode goes much deeper than parks. We talk about history, wisdom, and diversity.

5.16.15 - Betty Reid Soskin interviewed on The Today Show (click to watch on YouTube)

Lee Cockerell, former Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World, returns to the Park Leaders Show to talk about how parks can create magic.

Previously, Lee has been on the Park Leaders Show to talk about what parks can learn from Disney and nine customer service rules.

Since the last time Lee joined us, he has published a new podcast, Creating Disney Magic. Creating Disney Magic is a short, weekly podcast focused on leadership, management and customer service.

You can find Creating Disney Magic on iTunes, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn Radio, Spreaker, or on Lee's Website.

Lee also discussed his new book, Time Management Magic. This book will transform the way you approach time management and help you move from surviving to thriving.

Lee also tells us how parks can create magic. He offers advice on how parks can communicate through the entire organization, focus on customers, and deliver a great experience for employees and visitors.

Parks can get more done with a better attitude. Better productivity can equal getting 20% more staff in parks. Don't underestimate how much better you can be.

You can create magic too.

When I was a park ranger, the former director of our agency used to preach the concept of the well-rounded ranger.  I believe his message was that our agency needed to train rangers for more than law enforcement. He wanted us to think in terms of service, and not enforcement.

If focusing on service is what he meant, he was correct. But the concept of a well-rounded park ranger is hurting parks.

Sure, there are people like Tom Betts at Bandelier National Monument who can do everything. Tom is true a well-rounded ranger. But I was not. And chances are that you are not either.

And that is OK.

It is a benefit to your park that you are not well rounded.  Not being well rounded means you are strong in some areas that can be a tremendous help to your park.

It also means you have weaknesses. There are some things you are not good at. That is OK.

In fact, a good park manager knows how to consider the strengths and weaknesses to assemble a great team.

Now, I expect park rangers to know enough to solve problems and get things done. But often, that does not mean the individual ranger needs to know how to do the actual work. The ranger needs to be able to recognize there is a problem and begin the process to solve the problem.

The idea of a well-rounded ranger, taken too literal or too serious, creates an environment that focuses on weaknesses and hampers strengths. Let me give you an example. Auto maintenance is a weakness of mine. In fact, I have no interest in it at all.

At one point in my career, I worked for a supervisor who felt park rangers who felt all rangers should complete the same tasks. Each ranger was responsible for doing the same tasks the same amount of times. This took people away from doing what they were strongest at to improve in areas where they were the weakest.

I get the desire to have everyone on the team contribute to all areas of the operation, which would be why you may want well-rounded rangers. But it just doesn’t work.

The well-rounded ranger concept forces everyone to spend an inappropriate amount of time improving their weaknesses. Great teams set people up to build on their strengths. Great leaders know this and assemble teams with strengths in mind.

If taken too far, the well-rounded ranger concept is like having every member of a baseball team spend too innings at each position during a game. In that case, you get an outfielder spending time practicing to throw a fastball rather than perfecting his craft if catching fly balls.

In the wonderful book Business Brilliant, author Lewis Schiff examines the traits of self-made millionaires. Lewis Schiff tells us –

A Gallup poll found the 87% of working Americans felt that finding your weaknesses and fixing them is the best way to achieve outstanding performance. Sixty-one percent of workers say they need to focus on their weaknesses because that's where they feel they have the most room for growth. In follow-up interviews, they said that improving weak areas makes them feel more responsible more well-rounded and less vulnerable to embarrassment and risk of failure. They feel conscientious about working with their weaknesses, and hope that the practice will shield them from future reproach and failure. Meanwhile, self-made millionaires are spending each day avoiding their weaknesses in order to stay focused on their strengths where distinction, fulfillment, and profits are found. Hour by hour, day by day the workers from this survey protect themselves by becoming more well-rounded and ordinary while the millionaires enrich themselves by becoming more specialized and extraordinary.

That information from Business Brilliant may work for a self-made millionaire, but you may be wondering how it applies to you and parks. Consider this. When you promote the strengths of your team, it allows you to fill holes on your team with someone who is strong in the areas you need the most.

So a well-rounded ranger needs to be looked at in a different way. A well-rounded ranger is someone confident in her strengths. A well-rounded ranger can realize there is a problem and knows how to solve it, likely with the assistance of other people. A well-rounded ranger does not ignore things they do not like in favor of what they do like. A well-rounded ranger understands when and how to step up to help a teammate.

But the well-rounded ranger, the ranger who can do everything, that well-rounded ranger is a myth.

To me, it is a choice to be well-rounded and ordinary or specialized and extraordinary.

What do you think of the concept of a well rounded ranger?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most popular National Park in the United States. People come from all over the eastern half of the country to visit the Smoky Mountains and drive visitation higher than park service icons such as Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. The key to operating Great Smoky Mountains is not necessarily the visitors who come from other places, the key is connecting to the community.

Cassius Cash, Superintendent of Great Smokey Mountain National Park

The importance of connecting a park to the local community is exactly why Cassius Cash is the perfect fit for Park Superintendent. New to his role at Great Smoky Mountains, Cassius brings his concept of Listen - Learn - Build and is intent on connecting to the local community.

Cassius come to Great Smoky Mountains from Boston, where he served as the Superintendent as Boston National Historic Park and Boston African American National Historic Site. In Boston, Cassius used stories to rebrand the park and built impactful connections in the community. Superintendent Cash also took a deeper look into the historic stories most people know to find additional stories that include more people.

Finding more inclusive stories is a key to building more interest and support in our parks and Cassius Cash is a model of how to put those stories to work. Inclusive stories connect parks to people of different backgrounds, interests, and geographies.

Superintendent Cash understands it does not matter if he is in an urban Boston park or park in the Appalachian mountains, connecting to the community and including everyone is the key to a thriving park.

I am on a mission to get parks to start podcasting. Podcasting is a way parks can serve visitors in a new and unique way. To explore the idea of podcasting in parks, I went straight to one of the best podcasters around.

Jeff Brown is the host of the Read to Lead podcast. Read to Lead is recognized as one of the best-produced podcasts. Not only does Jeff Brown have the best voice in podcasting, he is a true professional. Jeff spent 26 years in the radio business and now brings his experience for training radio talent to helping people develop quality podcasts.

In this episode, Jeff coaches us through having a professional on-air presence and how to create a quality show. Jeff also discusses how parks can use podcasts to serve park visitors.

Podcasting holds so much potential for parks to connect to visitors in a manner not available in any other way. Consider what this could mean for your park. You can provide interpretation to more people. You can build a loyal following of people waiting for new content by sharing stories, history, and park information. You can even set up guided tours along popular trails or roads.

You can put a park ranger in the pocket of every park visitor.

Podcasts, or audio content, can even be used to distribute information to all employees, no matter how spread out or far away they may be. Audio content can allow leaders to reach every person on the team, individually, with the same message.

If you want to talk about creating podcasts for your park, please get in touch.

Jeff Brown recommends the following books:

Linchpin by Seth Godin

Die Empty by Todd Henry

Multipliers by Liz Wiseman

You can find Jeff Brown on Twitter or Facebook or his home on the web, Read to Lead.

Amanda Llanes returns to the Park Leaders Show to talk about her first season as a seasonal law enforcement ranger with the National Park Service. At the time of her first interview, Amanda was a cadet in the law enforcement academy. Now, she has been a seasonal ranger for one year.

Amanda talks about her experience, what she looks forward to in her next seasonal assignment and her career ambitions. This interview with Amanda is the second part of a look at seasonal park rangers with the National Park Service. You can listen to the first episode here.

If you enjoy the Park Leaders Show, would you consider leaving a review on iTunes? You can find the show here.

On the Park Leaders Show, I often talk to leaders in the National Park Service. Chief Interpreters, Chief Rangers and Park Superintendents have all been guests on the show.

The one thing they all have in common is they all started as seasonal park rangers.

That means the future leaders of the National Park Service are seasonal rangers right now.

Kaitlyn Kunce, Seasonal Park Ranger with the National Park Service

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, I talk with Kaitlyn Kunce, and we take a look at the life of a seasonal park ranger.

At the time of our interview, Kaitlyn is a seasonal park ranger at Mesa Verde National Park. Soon, she will be moving to a seasonal assignment at Yellowstone National Park. Moving often and applying for jobs every few months is one of the challenges seasonal park rangers.

The goal of most seasonal park rangers is to get a permanent position with the National Park Service. Competition for permanent positions can be tough, and seasonal rangers look for ways to learn new skills and build their resume.

Kaitlyn writes about her experience as a ranger on her blog, Twitter and Facebook.

The music for the Park Leaders Show is the creation of Jason Harrod. You can find out more about him here.

If you have listened to the Park Leaders Show for a while, you know Jack Hartt was a mentor of mine while I was a park ranger. It was my conversations with Jack early in my career which led me to believe that you would enjoy hearing similar conversations with leaders from all over the country.

Talking with people from parks is important, but if we are really going to change the landscape of leadership in parks and recreation, we need to step outside of parks too. In this episode, we reach outside the world of parks again and talk with Ray Edwards. Not only is Ray a successful entrepreneur, but he is also a strong supporter of parks.

Just like Jack Hartt taught me so much about the business of parks, Ray Edwards has taught me about the business of business. I am so much better at what I do because of Ray Edwards.

Ray explains what park systems, individual parks, or park employees can do to foster an entrepreneurial spirit.

Ray is the host of The Ray Edwards Show and author of Writing Riches.

Ray recommends Work the System by Sam Carpenter to learn more about implementing systems.

After publishing an episode of the Park Leaders Show every week for 52 weeks, the microphone gets turned around. Jared Easley, host of Starve the Doubts, interviews Jody Maberry, the host of the Park Leaders Show.

The usual host of the show answers questions about his career and what Park Leaders is all about..

Jared Easley helped Park Leaders get started by helping the host get started in podcasting. He was the obvious choice to be a guest host of this special episode of the Park Leaders Show.

You can subscribe to the Park Leaders Show on iTunes and Stitcher Radio.

For several summers, with the help of a group of tremendous volunteers, I ran a summer concert series at a park I worked at. We delighted park visitors with between six and nine concerts each summer. Concerts are a great way to bring new visitors to the park, provide more to regular visitors, and bridge a connection between the park and the community.
Hosting the concert series, I got to meet many great musicians. Often, they would eat dinner with my family and spend the night at our house. One musician, Dana Lyons, caught my attention because of his devotion to parks and wild places.

Dana Lyons is best known for his song Cows With Guns, but his heart is found in songs with a message.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Dana and I talk about how to put on a great concert in a park, but we also go much deeper than that.

The song, Cows with Guns, was so popular, Dana is still best know today for the song. But it is a small piece of a large, beautiful body of work. How do you handle yourself, and your career, when you one large accomplishment can cast a shadow over your other work?

We also talk about the removal of the Elwa Dam and the wonderful performing artists, Cabiri.

Jack Hartt is deliberate about the experience people have at Deception Pass State Park. He feels a park experience should feel "Park-Like".

Most parks have trees and trails, but it is the experience of the park that brings people back year after year.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Jack Hartt verbally walks us through a park and, area by area, explains what it takes to make a park look and feel like a park.

Whether it is park entrance, restrooms, or park signs, Jack Hartt explains how parks that care can deliver an experience to delight park visitors.

Jack Hartt is now on Twitter. Visit him here and say Hello.

To learn more about Jack Hartt's background, listen to episode 6 of the Park Leaders Show.

Jack is the author of five books, including A Day in the Park with Ranger Jack.

Jeff Goins returns to the Park Leaders Show to discuss his new book, The Art of Work.

The Art of Work is a proven path to discovering what you were meant to do. It is about finding your calling and being who you were meant to be.

The book is wonderful. In my opinion, the best work Jeff Goins has done so far. But I admit, I have a personal connection to this book.

I was fortunate enough to have my story, the story of becoming a park ranger and then walking away to something else, is part of this book.

In this interview, Jeff and I talk about how the story of a park ranger fit into the bigger story of a book about finding your calling. On the surface, you may think a story about becoming a park ranger is about finding a dream job and a calling.

It is bigger than that. Being a park ranger is piece of a full life that led me towards work I was meant to do, including Park Leaders. The story is told beautifully by Jeff Goins and I want you to read it.

Believe me, this is a great book. You don't want to miss the offer for a free copy of the Art of Work. You can get it here.

The first time Jeff Goins was a guest on the Park Leaders Show, I told him that I knew a park would step up and make him a honorary Junior Ranger. So far, no park has come forward to do it. Who can help? Please reach out and let's make Jeff Goins an honorary Junior Ranger.

If you like what you hear from Jeff, you might enjoy his podcast, The Portfolio Life. You can also find Jeff on Twitter and Facebook.

As a young leader, one of the best ways to build yourself is to learn from established leaders. Someone has already made the mistakes you are going to make, wrestled with the decisions you struggle with, and found the success you are looking for.

Bob Krumenaker is one of those established leaders you should get to know.  Bob has over 30 years with the National Park Service and currently serves as the Superintendent of Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Bob shares his path through the National Park Service and many of the lessons he has learned.

Bob is one of the key members of the Association of National Park Rangers working on the 2016 World Ranger Congress, which will be in Estes Park, Colorado.

Bob recently served a temporary assignment as the superintendent of Everglades National Park. He shares the challenges and opportunity of leaving your home park to serve at a different park on a temporary assignment. Temporary assignments can be a tremendous opportunity for learning and experience.

If you are in the first half of your career, the advice from Bob Krumenaker can help you adjust and consider how to approach your career.

Check here for more information about the World Ranger Congress.

Outdoor recreation is not immune from the growing trend of technology. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are all a part of recreation for many people.

A new digital platform, Campstake, is focusing on the digital side of recreation. Brandon Painter, co-founder of Campstake, joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about how the digital side of outdoor recreation can benefit parks.

If you are reading this in email, CLICK HERE to listen to this episode.

The team at Campstake hosts one of the fastest growing Twitter Chats focused on outdoor recreation. #CampChat takes place every Tuesday at 9 PM EST.

You can find out more about Campstake on their website, or by  visiting them on Twitter or Facebook. You can also contact Brandon Painter directly at brandon (at) campstake.com.

If you have ever worked a night shift in a park, you have experienced the beauty of night sky. Away from lights, campfires, and digital screens, a night sky is one of the true wonders of many parks.

Not many people get to experience a truly wondrous night sky, but Chad Moore looks at night skies for a living. Chad is the Program Manager for the National Park Service Night Sky Team.

Even if you are not with the National Park Service, the work of the Night Sky Team has great value for your park. Parks have an opportunity, perhaps even an obligation, to protect night skies.

Chad and I will talk about his work with night skies, why the National Park Service has a night sky team, and how individual parks can improve their night skies.

After talking with Chad I considered what have been my most memorable night skies. The two that come to mind are the overwhelming stars at Natural Bridges in Utah. With so many stars, a night sky is anything but dark. I also thought about the first time I saw the northern lights on a camping trip in north central Oregon. And finally, I recall a surprising encounter with nocturnal wildlife. Walking to an outhouse at night while camping at Canyonlands National Park I turned on my headlamp and found a kangaroo rat bouncing right in front of me.

Where was your most memorable night sky? Let’s talk about it. Reach out on Twitter or Facebook, comment on the website or send an email and let me know your night sky story.

Chad Moore preparing for a night sky

If you are interested in night skies, you may enjoy the book The End of Night by Paul Bogard.

You can find the Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative on Facebook.

You can discover great articles about night skies here.

A common theme from the People of Parks Project has been a frustration with communication between leadership, admin staff, and staff in the field. When I hear the same thing come up often I know we need to lean into it a little bit more.

I know this isn't a problem I could properly address on my own, so I called in the help of some friends. Joining me for a special panel discussion episode of the Park Leaders Show are: Ray Bivens- Director of Delaware State Parks, Eric Watilo- Region Manager with Washington State Parks, and Sarah Milbourne-  Park Manager with Maryland State Parks.

Each member of this panel was selected to give the panel three layers of park management to offer insight on how to improve communication. Ray, Eric, and Sarah have also been previous guests on the Park Leaders Show, so I understood they would each offer valuable ideas for you and your park.

You can help shape future episodes of the Park Leaders Show by participating in the People of Parks Project. By answering a couple of short questions, you can help me understand what subjects will be most valuable to offer on the Park Leaders Show.

When I was young my father always had pigeons as pets. I spent plenty of time around his feathered friends. Perhaps that is where my interest in the passenger pigeon came from.

I used to imagine what it must have been like to see the sky go dark when a flock of passenger pigeons flew overhead. When I saw Ben Novak's TEDx Talk about bringing the passenger pigeon back from extinction, I know I had to talk to him.

Ben Novak grew up exploring Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The connection he made with the park when he was young led to his current work to revive the passenger pigeon.

Ben's story is a wonderful story about building a connection to parks. By exploring his favorite National Park he fell in love with what was around him. Consider the impact it may have twenty years from now when you help a kid connect to the park.

Perhaps my favorite thing about Ben is that he chose himself to do this work. He raised his hand and declared he would be the one to devote his life to bringing a beautiful bird back to our parks and forests. Most people who do great work do not wait to be picked. They just stand up and do the work.

If you are interested in Ben's work you can find out more at Revive and Restore and follow The Great Comeback on Facebook.

How to Bring Passenger Pigeons All the Way Back: Ben Novak at TEDxDeExtinction (click to watch on YouTube)

Jeff Goins has made his living with the support of a tribe.  The loyal following to his popular blog led to a successful self published book, You Are a Writer.

Now, Jeff is make a living as a writer. His success has come from building a tribe. Jeff even teaches other writers how to build a tribe in his course Tribe Writers.

Jeff Goins joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss how a park can use the tribe concept to build a following of supporters. The idea of a tribe is essential a conversational way of marketing. It allows supporters of your park to be a part of the park, even when they are not at the park.

Jeff has an unexpected connection to parks. As an 18 year old he had a summer job at a park in Illinois. He shares about his experience working in a park and the lessons he learned that have stuck with him to this day. Through his stories, he highlights how you can turn a simple task like "get me a spade" into a learning opportunity.

You will enjoy these books by Jeff Goins: The In-Between and Wrecked.

If you are interested in becoming a better writer, check out Jeff's course Tribe Writers.

Starting from Scratch: How to Build a Platform with Words, Passion, and People (click to watch on YouTube)

Park Rangers are great storytellers. Sean Smith, former National Park Ranger, used the storytelling gift to write a series of thrillers with a park ranger as the hero.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Sean talks about how his time as a ranger led to writing Unleashing Colter's Hell and Lost Cause. Sean tells us why he wrote these stories, and where the inspiration for the main character came from.

Sean also explains how to transition from being a good story teller to being a good writer.

I would be delighted if more rangers wrote. Whether it be books, or blogs, it would be good to see more rangers writing. I know there are some great ranger books out there, and a few ranger blogs. But we need more.

Although no longer a ranger, Sean is a strong supporter of parks and recently gave a TEDx talk about why we should protect national parks. This Ted talk is how I discovered Sean.

You can connect with Sean on his blog, Twitter, or Facebook

Do you have a favorite park ranger book, or ranger blog? If so, reach out and let me know. I want to discover more rangers who are writers.

Recommended Resources

Sean Smith Books: Unleashing Colter's Hell and Lost Cause

Creating Disney Magic on iTunes and Stitcher Radio.

Tribe Writers - Writing course from Jeff Goins.

Why protect national parks? | Sean Smith | TEDxSpokane (click to watch on YouTube)

Phil Gaines, Director of South Carolina State Parks, returns to the Park Leaders Show to follow up on his first interview.

In this second interview, Phil talks about the Ultimate Outside program. The Ultimate Outsider program turns visitors into insiders by getting them into all 47 State Parks in South Carolina. Phil Gaines knows once people get out to explore parks, they will make a connection. It is through connections that parks remain relevant in the lives of the citizens of the state.

When a citizen has a connection to a park, they will protect it, promote it, and continue to visit.

Phil also offers advice on how to keep your focus and remember why you work in parks, when times are tough or you work with a park manager you do not get along with.

Just like connecting visitors to our parks, you need to reconnect with the reason why you work for parks. Get outside, do more of the parts of the job you love. As Phil says, "If you get paid in sunsets, and you are not taking in those sunsets, you are not getting your full check."

Phil also reminds us that parks were built in hard times and this is when we do our best work.

When I began my career as a park ranger at Riverside State Park, Jack Hartt would often tell me how lucky he was to the park manager. He convinced me Riverside was the best park in Washington State. I believed him. I followed his lead and proclaimed there was not a better park in the state.

Then, Jack became the manager of Deception Pass State Park. He began preaching that Deception Pass was the best park in the state. I almost felt insulted. Riverside was the best park, clearly. And Jack Hartt could no longer be trusted, I thought.

Now, after talking to Phil Gaines, I understand what happened. Phil Gaines is the Director of South Carolina State Parks. Phil believes your park is the most important park.

Phil explains how you become connected to your park by living and working, surrounded by the beauty. You become passionate about what is around you and believe your park is indeed the most important park.

Phil may serve as a Director, but his heart is still in the field. He visits each State Park in South Carolina every year and connects with the staff and visitors.

Phil also discusses the State Parks Leadership School, a cooperative effort of America's State Parks to develop the next generation of leaders.

When you think of City Parks, what comes to mind?

I imagine you don't think of 29,000 acres and 5,000 individual properties in a single City Park System. That is how much property New York city Parks is responsible for.

In an environment that makes me think of skyscrapers and concrete, NYC Parks account for 14% of the city. Managing that much property surrounded by so many people is no easy task.

Sarah Aucoin, Director of Urban Rangers with NYC Parks

Sarah Aucoin is the Director of Urban Rangers for NYC Parks. She is responsible for the team of rangers who patrol and protect the 29,000 acres of parks throughout the city.

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Sarah Aucoin discusses how she keeps her team unified with the challenge of having a big team spread out.

Sarah also discusses how NYC Parks connects parks to citizens to foster an interest in nature. Urban parks and green space are important to generate interest in nature that will translate to care for bigger parks. Quite often, a connection to local parks leads to a connection in state and national parks.

Sarah will give you new ideas on how to connect people who don't usually visit parks to build a connection to nature.

You can find the Park Leaders Show on iTunes and Stitcher Radio.

December 2014 marks the 100th anniversary of the death of John Muir. Muir passed away on December 24th, 1914. His last fight was to save the Hetch Hetchy valley. If you are not familiar with John Muir and the Hetch Hetchy Valley, I am going to spoil the story for you. The valley is under water. Flooded behind a dam to create a water reservoir for San Francisco.

The Hetch Hetchy was reported to be as beautiful as Yosemite Valley. When speaking of Hetch Hetchy, John Muir said it was “a grand landscape garden. One of nature’s rarest and most precious mountain temples.”

Now, a century after the death of Jon Muir, the fight for Hetch Hetchy is going to come alive again. Robert Hanna is going to pick up the torch Muir carried to save the valley. Hanna reminds me of the water behind the dam. He is gentle, but can apply so much pressure he can move a mountain.

Robert Hanna has shown once before what can happen when he applies pressure. California was going to solve budget problems by closing 70 state parks. Hanna stepped in and became a key figure in keeping the parks open. Just like water, Hanna can shape an outcome with a constant drip, or an all out flood.

It was Hanna’s work with keeping state parks open that caught my attention. But after talking with him, I know his fight to reclaim Hetch Hetchy is going to be a great story.

In itself, the fight for the valley is a good cause. But now, 100 years after the death of John Muir, the charge is being led by Robert Hanna, who is the great great grandson of John Muir.

Robert Hanna founded a clothing company, Range of Light, based on the principles of John Muir.

As a leader you have a responsibility to continue to get better. There is one area in particular though, where I think you need to improve and you may not have considered it.

If you are a leader, you need to write great email.

Email? Isn’t Park Leaders about parks?

Yes, of course Park Leaders is about parks, but it is also about leadership. And if you are going to be a leader and have an impact, you need to get better at email. In fact, you need to write great email.

Once you write great email, you are going to notice you are getting more done. You are going to notice you are getting better responses to the emails you send. And you are going to notice you do not need to spend as much time with email.

It is easier than you think to write great email. You can write great email by focusing on three areas: Subject Line, Opening Sentence, and White Space.

Subject Line: Consider the subject line as important as a headline for a newspaper. Inboxes get filled up quick. The first thing someone does when they open their email is to scan the subject lines of all the email. You need to use a subject line that gets attention.

I’m not saying use a crazy subject line, like I found a live Muskrat in the Bathtub, unless it is true. Use a subject line that gives useful information to the reader. Don’t use in a generic fill in the blank subject line like “Hey” or “Monday”. If you are sending an email about an upcoming meeting, don’t just make the subject line “Meeting”. Include useful information right in the subject line. An example would be “What you need to know about our 2:30 meeting”. This subject line lets the reader know the information in the email is useful and timely. They will open this email.

Opening Sentence: People skim email. When someone opens your email they quickly browse through it trying to pick out why you sent the email. Are you telling them something they need to know? Are you asking them for something? People want to know right away, so do them a favor and put it right up front.

An email consists of two parts, the Ask and the Information. Or it could be the Response and the Information. Usually, people front load an email with information and stick the Ask at the end. If you are asking something, ask in the first sentence.

By putting the Ask up front, and the information second, the reader will know what to do with the information. If I know what you are asking, I will know if the information is applicable. If I don’t know what you are asking, I will have to reread the email after I find out what you are asking. There could even be times when the information is not needed, or it can be saved to reference at a later time. Even when the information is needed at the time, it is useful to read it in the context of the ask.

White Space: The more white you see in your email, the better. Remember I mentioned people scan email. You know they are going to skim, so make it easier for them. When you include white space, eyes can quickly move from one sentence to the next. Information can be plucked out quickly. It is easier to read and reread email with white space.

Select nearly any article or blogpost on the internet and you will see how the author used white space. I am sure you receive email that has big blob of text. A whole bunch of words in a single paragraph. If you are like me, you move on and save that email for later. Or you never read it. Using white space will help your emails get read.

Work on these three steps, and you will soon be writing great email.

If you are going to be in a leadership position, writing great email is important.

If you apply what you read here show you can write great email. But if you want to go deeper and learn in better detail, with examples and exercises, you will find the Park Leaders Guide to Effective Email to be a tremendous help.

The guide does not only cover the three elements of a great email, but there are also examples of great email and awful email, with a breakdown of what made it great or bad. There is also a section full of tips for great email. There is a section on using email to become more productive. There is a section on using email as a tool for team work. And there is a section about when you should not send an email. Understanding when not to use email could be one of the most important aspects of email.

I promise you will get a lot out of the Park Leaders Guide to Effective Email. You can find out more about the guide here.

Have you heard anyone suggest our country should bring back the Civilian Conservation Corps?

I have. And I agree, it would be a good thing for our country. But the Conservation Corps never went away. It just looks different.

Mary Ellen Sprenkel, President and CEO of The Corps Network, joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss the work of the Corps Programs. The Corps Network is the national voice and advocate for the Corps Programs across the country.

In this episode, Mary Ellen explains the important work done by Corps Programs and the impact they have on youth. She also discusses the benefit of the projects done by the Corps.

The Corps Network is the tie that holds the Corps Programs together from all the states together. The organization provides training, communication, and centralized leadership. They also offer an annual conference in Washington D.C. You can learn more about the conference here.

If you are interested in the work of the original Civilian Conservation Corps, former Park Leaders Show guest, Jack Hart, wrote a book about the CCC in Washington State. Two Hands and a Shovel examines how the CCC built Deception Pass State Park.

Park signs are an important piece of park management. Typically, a visitor interacts with signs more often than they do with park staff. The words on signs create an identity for the park.

How many parks take the time to review signs to consider the identity they create through signs?

For this episode, Mike Kim joins the Park Leaders Show to review park signs to talk about how to create great park signs. Mike Kim is a marketing consultant, professional copywriter, and brand strategist. He is also a Chief Marketing Officer for a multi-million dollar private company in the New York City area.

In most parks, consideration is given to placement of signs and amount of signs, but how often do we consider the words we put on signs? Mike reviews three park signs and discuses, from a marketing perspective, the impact and perception of each signs. Along the way, he offers advice on how to create great signs.

After reviewing park signs, we move to discuss other writing that can impact a park visitor. Mike also offers tips on writing better event flyers and park brochures.

With an event flyer, you should use a nice photograph and a catching headline. This will capture attention and get the reader to pick up your flyer and read the content. The rest of the text should use descriptive words to draw the read in.

Brochures can help visitors get more out of their experience at your park. Don't use a brochure to give facts and information. Tell a story, paint a picture, and let the visitor know what kind of experience they will have at the park.

Mike Kim reminds us that everything we say (including signs), and everything we do, is our brand.

Below are the three signs reviewed in this episode of the Park Leaders Show. All three signs are from different parks in different states.

This sign is an entrance sign to a State Park:

This sign is at the entrance to a park campground:

 This sign is on a large information board at a trail head:

You can subscribe to the Park Leaders Show in iTunes and Stitcher Radio.

This episode of the Park Leaders Show is a part two of sorts. My interview with Kelli English was so wonderful and long that I broke it into two parts. The first part of our conversation was about interpretation and storytelling. You can find it here.

With the second half of our interview, Kelli talks about growing up in the south side of Chicago and how she ended up telling stories as an interpreter in Yellowstone National Park. She also discusses the different perspective she has being an African American interpreter. She is aware of the stories told in parks that can connect different communities to parks. Stories that are not mainstream can have a tremendous impact on the people who hear them.

Communities of color are interested in hearing the same stories other visitors are interested in hearing, but they also want to hear stories about their history when it is present in the park.

Kelli shares stories that may open your eyes to why parks have not always been open and welcoming to all people. Discriminatory attitudes and practices from the past still have a deep impact on perceptions and use of parks today.

Our National, State and local parks are the caretakers of American History. We have an obligation to tell stories, good and bad, that have impacted our life. Kelli offers insight into how and why we should share even the negative stories of our past.

Kelli discusses an exhibit that changed her life. The book about the exhibit is Without Sanctuary by James Allen and John Lewis.

Kelli English is the Chief of Interpretation for four National Park Units in the Bay Area of California, including John Muir National Historic Site. She has spent her career as a park ranger interpreting stories to park visitors. Now, she interprets to interpreters. She admits, even though her job leans towards administration, she still finds opportunities to tell a story to park visitors.

Kelli grew up on the south side of Chicago and ended up telling stories in Yellowstone National Park. Her stellar interpretation earned accolades in 2005 when she was awarded the 2005 Outstanding New Interpreter award from the National Association of Interpretation.

In this interview, Kelli discusses how to infuse your personality into the stories of your park and where to begin gathering stories if you are new to a park.

Kelli also examines the differences in interpreting a wilderness park, like Yellowstone, compared to a historical park.

It is through interpretation that we help visitors find a connection with the park. When a visitor has a connection with the park, they will care more and become invested in the park.

You can hear the second half of the interview with Kelli English HERE.

David Flores may not be who you would expect to pour his talent and research into outdoor recreation and conservation.

Typically, someone who devotes their career to parks, recreation, or conservation grew up playing and exploring in the outdoors. David Flores did not recreation in parks and forests when he was a kid. Yet, he is now a research social scientist with the US Forest Service.

How did that happen?

As he graduated with a PHD, Flores was connected to the Forest Service through the Presidential Management Fellowship Program. Working for the Forest Service allowed David to continue to focus on research, and he found that appealing.

Now, Flores realizes the power of spending time outdoors and the connection people have with the land. His research is focused on human dimension issues related to the land, such as urban planning, climate change, rural life, and ecological change.

As part of his research, David meets people who make a living on the land and listens to their stories. In this interview, David shares what he has learned during his research. We discuss the importance of parks to a community and what he has learned about urban green space.

Given his background, David offers unique insight how parks can connect with people who have not grown up with access to, or interest in, recreating outdoors.

You can subscribe to the Park Leader Show on iTunes here and Stitcher Radio here.

Bradley Fauteux is the Managing Director of Ontario Parks, and the first international guest of the Park Leaders Show.

After a stint as a professional musician, Bradley began a career in Government and has become the ultimate generalist.  Fauteux had been working towards the job of Managing Director for ten years. He spent those years acquiring the skills he would need for the job and building a network of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances to learn from.

Fauteux is only the fourth person to serve as Managing Director of Ontario Parks. He is also the Chairman of the Canadian Parks Council.

Fauteux discusses some of the programs Ontario Parks has had success with:

Learn to Camp program helps first time campers learn the basics so they can enjoy the outdoors. Nine Thousand campers have  participated in the the program with 75% rate of return and 98% satisfaction rate. The Learn to Camp program won the Provincial Tourism Innovator of the Year Award.

The Life Jacket Loaner program designed to prevent drowning by providing life jackets to people going in the water at more than 60 parks. Both programs are backed by generous corporate sponsors.

The leadership program is an intensive 1-week program where colleagues get together and work through leadership challenges. This is an investment in leadership to ensure Ontario Parks will have great leaders across the organization.

Fauteux offers this wisdom to leaders:

• When pursuing a job, know the people, values, mission statement, and priorities to show you are committed and mature enough to lead. Prior to a job interview, you should have already become a known commodity through networking.

• Once you have a leadership position you should seek advice and listen, learn about the people you work with, and make sure people understand your values.

• Hire staff based on engagement, preparation, commitment, creativity, and awareness. You want to hire someone you would want to follow.

Recently, I was talking to a park manager who told me someone on his team was looking for mentoring opportunities. It got me thinking about mentors and how important a mentor was to my career, especially early when I was new to being a park ranger.

I realize not everyone is fortunate enough to get a mentor early in their career, but listen, friend, you do not need to rely on a mentor. Not in the way you think you need a mentor.

There are mentor opportunities all around. You don’t need to feel alone because you don’t have a mentor.

There are five types of mentors available.

Classic Mentors: A classic mentor is what you think of when you think of a mentor. It is a single person who invests in you and your development.

I was lucky to have a classic mentor in Jack Hartt, who was the manager at the first park I worked at. Jack took the time to spend lunch breaks with me, go for walks in the park with me, and answer questions nearly whenever I had them.

Academic Mentor: An academic mentor is someone who mentors you through the content they produce. Books are an obvious way to connect with an academic mentor. For $20, you can spend hours with a mentor and get some of their best advice. Don’t discount this idea. Pick a book, and take in the words with the same weight you would a classic mentor. If you take in a book with the idea of consuming the words, not for entertainment, but to learn and grow and change, it can have the same impact as spending the same amount of time with a classic mentor.

Situational Mentor: A situational mentor is someone who mentors you through a certain situation. If you need to improve a skill, perhaps you can find a situational mentor to help you improve. If you are having a tough time with an employee, you can find someone else who has been through the situation. If you are hiring an employee for the first time, or going for a promotion yourself, you can find a situational mentor to help you out.

Shadow Mentor: A shadow mentor is simply someone you observe. For example, you watch your park manager or superintendent with a deliberate eye towards how they handle situations and how they deal with people. They key here to you have to be deliberate in watching and analyzing what they do and how they do it.

Anti-Mentor: Having an anti-mentor may sound strange and something you want to say away from. But listen, if you find yourself working for a bad boss, you can grumble about it and have a lousy time. Or, you can use a bad boss as a mentor. An anti-mentor. Let them mentor you on what not to do.

Those are the five types of mentors, but don’t overlook the value of friendships. You can learn so much just from the people you hang out with.

Listen to the episode to go in depth with each type of mentor.

Diversity has been a consistent topic on the Park Leaders Show. For this episode, three former guests of the show return to have a panel discussion about diversity.

Teresa Baker (founder of African American National Parks Day), Jose Gonzalez (founder of Latino Outdoors) and John Griffith (crew supervisor with the California Conservation Corps) team up to form the first Park Leaders Panel.

Together, they discuss why a gap exists between parks and communities of color, how one person can make a difference, and how we can connect urban youth to National Parks far away from their home.

After listening to this panel discussion, if you have any questions for the panel members, please leave a comment here on the show notes page, and they will respond.

John Griffith has become well known for his dancing videos on YouTube. Just for fun, below is  a video of John dancing:

Dance Excerpt from the video "Wildlife: Our Low Maintenance Pets." (click to watch on YouTube)

Lee Cockerell returns to the Park Leaders Show to discuss customer service. Lee examines takes a deeper look at nine of the thirty-nine essential rules for delivering sensational service from his book The Customer Rules.

In this episode, we discuss the following nine customer rules;

1. Become an expert at creating experts.
2. Treat customers the way you would treat your loved ones.
3. Be a copycat.
4. Fish where the fishermen ain't.
5. Serve to WIN.
6. Don't give the responsibility without the authority.
7. Never, ever argue with a customer.
8. Apologize like you really mean it.
9. Don't try too hard.

Two episodes of the Park Leaders Show have discussed the Conservation Corps.  Ray Bivens is a true Conservation Corps success story. Ray Bivens began his outdoor career with the Maryland Conservation Corps. That experience led him into a career in Parks and Recreation. At only 38 years old, Ray became the Director of Delaware State Parks.

Ray has an entrepreneurial view of parks. He understands parks compete with other forms of recreation. In order to get visitors to a park, and entice them to return, you have to give them a reason. Make a park enjoyable, fun, and deliver a little WOW. He says Parks are in the "Forever Business" and believes if you can't get the business part of parks right, you can't get the stewardship part right either. Running parks properly allows you to fulfill your mission.

Ray talks about the importance of making the most out of opportunities, his role of Director, balancing your career and family, and hiring new team members.

As inspiration for up and coming leaders, Ray shares the Seven Secrets of Good Interpretation by Bob Jennings. Ray points out you can remove the word interpretation and replace it with Park Ranger or Park Manager and have a guide to help you do your job better.

1. Love what you are doing and don't be afraid to show it.

2. Know your subject and keep trying to learn more about it.

3. Develop ways to keep yourself and your presentation fresh.

4. Remember the little things.

5. Don't be afraid to try something different.

6. Listen.

7. Go back to #1.

Valerie Naylor is the recipient of the 2013 Stephen T. Mather Award for her steadfast leadership and persistent dedication to National Parks. Her persistent dedication has been put to the test against industrial pressure from the Bakken Oil Boom on the borders of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

For the past four years, managing this beautiful national park has been an exercise in relentless dedication to monitor the intrusion of industry towards the border of the park. Ranger Naylor has negotiated with oil companies to minimize intrusion on the border and view from within the park.

After building a reputation for being relentless, respectful, and tenacious in protecting the park, Valerie is retiring from the National Park Service on October 31st.

Ranger Naylor shares a story about the time Theodore Roosevelt spent in the Badlands of North Dakota, within what is now the National Park which holds his name. This story reminds us that every park is to someone what the Badlands were to Theodore Roosevelt. Each park has the potential to change someone's life. Knowing that, how can you not put all you have into making your park the best it can be?

Valeria Naylor gets that. And that is why, come November 1st, it is going to feel like something is missing from the National Park Service.

Personal accountability is the foundation of leadership. If you don't get personal accountability right, nothing else in leadership works as well as it should.

This is why QBQ by John G. Miller is one of the most important leadership books I have read.  I read this book at lease once each year and have given more copies of this book away than any other book.

QBQ stands for the Question Behind the Question. Asking the right questions will change your outlook and give you personal accountability for any situation.

In this episode, John explains how asking the right questions can lead us to greater personal accountability and better leadership. Practicing QBQ principles will have a ripple effect in your leadership, productivity, and even your family life.

If you have not read QBQ, consider doing so. You can buy it here. It will change your view on your job and the role you play.

Jason Harrod provided the music for the Park Leaders Show.

Naomi Torres is included on Richard Rojas' short list of All Star Champions of change. When someone makes it onto a list like that, I know I want to talk to her.

Naomi is the Superintendent of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. She began her career as in interpreter at Alcatraz and has spent her career with the National Park Service in the Bay Area of California.

As the Superintendent of a trail which passes through property and jurisdictions outside of National Park Service property, Naomi has developed and maintained many healthy partnerships.

Naomi also discusses the need for Parks to reach out to communities of color. If we don't reach out the communities, the faces seen working or recreating in our parks will not become more diverse.

As I talk to leaders and managers from parks, Disney came up more than once as a source parks could look to for best practices and new ideas on how to operate a park.

I took the hint and brought Disney to the Park Leaders Show.

Lee Cockerell is the former Executive Vice President of Operations for Walt Disney World. Lee was responsible for training 7,000 leaders at Walt Disney World. Imagine the challenge of training 7,000 leaders to carry the same mission and values out into the work force.

Although retired, Lee still teaches at the Disney Institute and gives presentations all over the world. He is the author of Creating Magic and The Customer Rules. These books give a look at leadership and customer service from inside Disney.

If you are serious about leadership and improving your culture, this is an important episode of the The Park Leaders Show. Lee discusses hiring, how the values of Disney are lived by thousands employees, and what it takes to be successful.

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

Lee Cockerell, Leadership Speaker - Demo Video (click to watch on YouTube)

Sarah Milbourne recently became the Park Manager of Rocky Gap State Park in Maryland. Sarah is the product of a Park System which invests in employees.

She bursts with enthusiasm for her agency, her park, and her new role as Manager.

Sarah discusses the transition of becoming a Park Manager at a park where she already worked as a Park Ranger. She explains her desire and push to become a Park Manager and what she learned along the way. Sarah offers great insight to anyone who aspires to become a Park Manager. We also discuss how Maryland State Parks works to build employees early in their career so they can reach their potential.

Maryland State Parks also has assists their employees recognize and embrace diversity in park visitors. Through training and a deliberate culture built by Maryland State Parks, Sarah views her role, and her park, as a piece of a whole agency working towards the same goal.

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

If you use iTunes, you can find the Park Leaders Show here.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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

Former Washington State Parks Director, Rex Derr, told me about the State Parks Leadership School. This School was founded by the National Association of State Park Directors. Upon learning more about the school, I knew anyone who attended would likely be a good guest for the Park Leaders Show.

I called a few people who attended but only heard back from one. Matt O'Quinn, park manager of Powhatan State Park in Virginia, called me back and recommended I speak with Austin Bradley, the manager of Breaks Interstate Park.

It was a great recommendation. Austin Bradley is a sharp guy. He is an MBA with a sharp business sense, a passion for the outdoors, and discipline of a law enforcement officer. Austin manages a unique park, with land in both Virginia and Kentucky.

Austin Bradley and I discuss the challenges of his park, how to position yourself for a promotion, and ideas to keep in mind as your park is faced with budget cuts. Austin explains how parks are in the business of people.

Resources

• State Parks Leadership School • Breaks Interstate Park • Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

Chris Brogan may not be who you expect to talk about parks.

Chris is is an adviser and strategist to professionals and owners. He is a New York Times best selling author of seven books, including The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth.  He is a sought after key note speaker and has been on the Dr. Phil show. He has consulted with companies like Disney, Coke, Pepsi, Google, Motorola, and more.

So what does advise does Chris Brogan have for parks?

"(Parks) should be business minded. And you should be much more outgoing in explaining what other values you can add to the service."

Parks all across the country are feeling the budget pinch, and a typical response is the cut expenses and raise fees. Those drastic measures are what is interpreted as "act like a business".

Chris wants you to look another direction. Add value. Make it about the customer.

He explains people don't spend money just to spend money. They are not going to give money because your park has a tight budget. They want something in return. They want you to make their experience more valuable.

During our interview Chris also talks about where to find ideas (not at other parks), how to work for a boss, and why you should master the art of an apology.

Chris also uses the word "delicious" when talking about service. Would you consider the service you offer to be delicious?

You can find out more about Chris and his newest book here. I encourage you to sign up for Chris' newsletter. It will be one of the best things to show up in your mailbox all week. When you get the first newsletter, reply to Chris and let him know you heard him on the Park Leaders Show.

Resources

• Music by Jason Harrod • The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth by Chris Brogan • Owner Magazine • Sign up for Chris Brogan's Newsletter • Chris Brogan on Twitter •Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

I know Park Leaders is on a roll when I end up talking with someone like Richard Rojas. It is a sign to me the dots are starting to connect. I was introduced to Mr. Rojas through Jose Gonzalez of Latino Outdoors. I was introduced to Jose through John Griffith of the California Conservation Corps. Unexpectedly talking with Richard Rojas was like stumbling onto a treasure chest. He is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom about park management, and the issue parks are faced with.

Richard Rojas had a 32 year career with California State Parks. He rose through the ranks, beginning as a Park Ranger, promoted to Supervising Ranger, Park Superintendent, Chief Ranger, and finally served as District Superintendent for the Channel Coast District from 2000-2007.

We talk about diversity, of course since Richard came to be known as the "diversity guy" in California State Parks. But it would not be right to stick to a single topic when talking with someone who has as much experience and wisdom as Richard Rojas.

We talk about hiring and managing staff, the need for parks to be more flexible, and what other park systems can learn from the California State Park system.

Richard also shares what question he would ask a job candidate if he could only ask a single question. You don't want to miss his answer. He also challenges us to consider what our legacy will be.

Resources

• California State Parks • Latino Outdoors • Parks Forward

At Park Leaders we examine issues relevant for park leaders. We have heard from more than one guest on the Park Leaders Show about how important volunteers are to the vitality of parks. There are steps you can take to ensure you get the most out of working with volunteers and they get value from working with you too.

I recently read a quote that stood out;

“As a Leader, one must sometimes take actions that are unpopular, or whose results will not be known for years to come. They are victories whose glory lies only in the fact they are known only to those who win them.” 

This struck me so much I wrote it down so I could reflect on it. I realized it applied to the work we are doing in parks. The results of our work may not be known for years to come, or perhaps never be known at all.

It is easy to think of someone like  Jose Gonzalez and the work he is doing with Latino Outdoors. He is in the big arena, fighting to make a difference for relationship between Latinos and Parks. But all victories do not have to be big to be glorious.

No matter your role in parks, you are experiencing little victories that advance our mission. Whether you are a park manager balancing a tight budget and a thin staff, a park ranger still learning the ropes, a corps member building a trail, or a volunteer doing work the public may never see, you know the glory of your victories. They may only be small victories right now, but it is the start of something bigger.

Working with volunteers was one of the true delights of the last two years of my ranger career. I worked with a wide variety of people from all over the country, each with the own unique story. The park I worked at consistently registered more than 20,000 volunteer hours each year. The park manager was known as “The King of Volunteers”. I learned so much from the volunteers I worked with. There are steps you can take to get the most out of working with volunteers and ensure they get the most out of working with you.

I developed this list with camphosts in mind because they are with the staff for an extended period of time. They live with you, work with you, and can make your life so much better. Some of these tips may apply to other volunteers as well.

Here are 10 tips for getting the most out of working with volunteers;

10. Take the time to interview them before you put them on the schedule. In the initial talk you will find out there experience and what they hope to get out of the experience. You are also likely to find something that lets you know they would or would not be a good fit.

 9. Before you put them to work, schedule an hour or more to sit with them. Use this time to explain your agency, talk about the park and staff, and clearly discuss your expectations.

8. Find out what they actually want to do. If you are scheduling volunteers to be camphosts, do they only want to clean firepits, or do they want to be involved in more. I have had volunteers who wanted to clean firepits and greet campers and nothing more. I have also had volunteers who wanted to be busy 8 hours per day and create something they could be proud of. I worked with one volunteer to create recycling bins that saved hundreds of dollars each year for the park.

I also had a camphost who owned a painting company. My natural assumption was I could use him for the backlog of painting projects at the park. After talking with him, he did not want to do any painting. He had painted his whole career and did not want to spend his retirement years painting too. It is important to flush that information out early.

7. Take time to hear their story. I know I am asking you to take a lot time out of your busy schedule to slow down long enough to talk extensively with your volunteers, but you need to hear their story. It is important you have an informal, not official feeling talk with them. Find out their story. This will make them feel welcome and show that you are interested in them, not just the work they will do. Hearing their story will bring out any special skills they have that may help you and the park. Often, there is something more they can do that you haven’t discovered yet.

6. Spend more time with them. After the initial investment in time, you cannot turn them loose and expect to only hear from them when something is wrong and then say goodbye when they leave. You need to spend time with them. Stop by to say hello. Ask them what they are seeing. Find out if they need anything to be able to perform their job. The less time you spend with them, the less likely they are to tell you what is really going on around you.

5. Include them in the Parks story. When volunteers know the history, challenges, goals, and vision of the park they can write themselves into the story. When they write themselves into the story, they will take ownership into their area of responsibility and pride in all areas of the park.

Volunteers are the face of the park to many park visitors. Consider how many people will visit your park and never see a Park Ranger. You want volunteers to feel they are part of the overall story of the park.

 4. Create an atmosphere where volunteers can get to know each other. At Fort Flagler State Park volunteers had their own break room, laundry facilities, library and more. Volunteers where included in staff meetings, which also helped tie them into the park’s story. This usually worked out so well volunteers would plan their own events and many created friendships they took outside of the park.

3. Create a sense of security. It is important for volunteers to feel they are safe while doing their job. Whatever you need to do to make a volunteer feel safe, do it. Provide cell phone or radio if possible. As best you can, let them know who is working on what days and who is on call when no one is working. Let them know how to get a hold of you when there is an emergency or uncomfortable situation.

2. Motivate, inspire, and include them just as you would with paid staff. You would not expect your paid staff to work unmotivated, uninspired, or feeling like an outsider. I know some park managers do, but not anyone who is ambitious enough to listen to the Park Leaders Show. Volunteers should be treated with the same respect you give to other staff.

1. Recognize them for good work. I don’t believe you should take any staff for granted. No one is ever “just doing their job”, even if they are doing what they are paid to do. Appreciate people. Recognize people. Even if they are doing the exact job outlined in their job description, it goes a long way when you let them know you notice when they do a good job. If that is true for paid staff, imagine how important it is for staff you do not pay.

Bonus Tip - Interview them when they leave. Interviewing volunteers when they leave will accomplish two things. First, you will find out how they felt about their time with you. You can discuss how you feel they did and they can do likewise. Second, it gets it on your calendar to spend time with them before they leave. Saying goodbye is as important as saying hello.

There you have it friends, ten ways you can get the most out of working with volunteers and ensure they get value out of working for you.

A strong connection to volunteers gives your park a citizen voice. And when times get tough, a citizen voice is important.

Many of those tips I learned from working with Mike Zimmerman, the King of Volunteers, at Fort Flagler State Park. That is what we do at Park Leaders, take the wisdom of the people who have done it, and pass it on to the next generation of leaders, the ones with all of the passion to have an impact.

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

Scott Barlow and Mark Sieverkropp from Happen To Your Career

Scott Barlow is a Human Resources Manager with a company in Washington State. He is also a career coach and founder of Happen To Your Career.  Mark Sieverkropp is an author, entrepreneur, consultant, and speaker. Together at Happen To Your Career, they help connect people with the work they love.

Talking with Scott and Mark gives us an outside-of-parks perspective on getting noticed and advancing your career.

What We Talk About

• Why Parks are important • How you can direct your own career • The value of building relationships with people you don't work with directly • How to get noticed when going for a promotion • Having a purposeful career • How to get noticed when going for a promotion • Having a more purposeful career • Growing outside your career • Using projects to create success • How to Choose Yourself

Resources

• Happen To Your Career • Mark Sieverkropp • Sun Lakes State Park • Matt McWilliams • Jody Maberry • Project Success by Mark Sieverkropp • The National Park: America's Best Idea by Ken Burns • Happen To Your Career Podcast • Scott on Twitter • Mark on Twitter

Two of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase I get a small commission.

Eric Watilo, Region Manager with Washington State Parks

Eric Watilo is a Region Manager with Washington State Parks.

After fifteen years in the field as a Park Manager and Park Manager, Eric has spent the past sixteen years in a Region Headquarters. As a Region Manager, Eric works directly with many Park Managers. He is familiar with the issues most Park Managers struggle with. Eric discusses the value of experience and how to build a strong team.

In This Episode We Talk About;

• Filling a position with the right person • The issues Park Managers struggle with the most • How to effectively communicate with your team • The role of technology in Parks • How can a Park show value for the cost a visitor pays • Building relationships among Park staff • What should never change about parks

Resources

• Music by Jason Harrod • Washington State Parks • Ginkgo Wanapum State Park • Survey Monkey • Red Green • Jody Maberry

Handyman Corner - Camping (click to watch on YouTube)

Rex Derr is the former director of Washington State Parks.

Rex says his career in Parks was glorious and feels parks are the soul of a community. Rex was the architect and main cheerleader of Washington State Park's Centennial 2013 plan. This plan built excitement and prepared Washington State Parks to celebrate the park system's 100th birthday.

What We Talk About

• What Parks add to a community • Washington State Park's Centennial Plan; how it was created and how parks and citizens were involved. • Creating a story or plan to unite your team • The greatest asset of any public service entity

Resources

• Washington State Parks

Washington State Parks Centennial 2013-A plan for your parks (click to watch on YouTube)

Chris Guidotti is the manager of Riverside State Park in Spokane, WA.

Ranger Guidotti has lead his park and staff to find new ways to create revenue and recreation opportunities for visitors, despite increasing budget pressure to do more with less. He explains some of the ways a new manager can find the pulse of a park and move the entire team towards a vision.

In This Episode, We Talk About

• Feeling the Pulse of a Park • Connecting the Park and local community • Using volunteers and working with Friends Groups • Keys to building relationships with your staff • Transferring a vision to staff • Advice for up and coming leaders • Encouraging initiative • Hiring for future needs

Resources

• Riverside State Park • Riverside State Park Foundation • Washington State Parks Discover Pass • Music by Jason Harrod

In this introductory episode of the podcast, I explain what Park Leaders is about.

What is Park Leaders?

Park Leaders is a place to connect the wisdom of those who did with the passion of those who will.

We are going to talk to as many leaders in Parks as possible. Their wisdom can be passed on to the next generation of up and coming Park Leaders. This will be an opportunity for you to chose yourself, declare yourself as a leader, and begin making a difference.

What I talk about.

• My path of becoming a Park Ranger • Highlight of my time as a Ranger. • Lowlights of my time as a Ranger. • Why I started Park Leaders. • What you can expect from Park Leaders.

Resources Mentioned

• Jason Harrod • Scott Barlow and Happen to Your Career • Jared Easley and Starve the Doubts • Jody Maberry • Washington State Parks • Riverside State Park • Fort Flagler State Park