Park Leaders Show : Park Ranger | National Park | State Park | Leadership

In this episode, Phil Gaines shares ideas on how leaders can improve the ethics of their conservation. For park leaders, protecting parks is a tedious and challenging issue. While staff efforts are important, these efforts must include education with respect to waste management since many people lack awareness or responsibility. As Gaines points out, if we want to improve conservation ethics, then we must find ways to not only reach more people but communicate ‘trash’ under the covering of accountability and hospitality. By providing quality customer service and proactive discussion, park leaders can encourage their visitors to see the benefits of conservation ethics as it pertains to federal funding and future generations.

In this episode, Phil Gaines and Dan Cockerell, share ideas on how leaders can improve their communications. For Gaines in the park world, the two greatest challenges to communication are technological distractions and distance. While more communicational avenues can benefit an organization, employing face-to-face interface should remain a priority as part of a well-rounded a communication structure. The more varied the structure, the more reach potential given different people process information in different ways. Furthermore, whatever structure is utilized, there should be some corporately understood matrix concerning communication type and the importance of the information being communicated. As for direct forms of communication involving immediate responses, these should always be used anytime opportunities arise to enhance morale and inspire change. For Cockerell, with so many ways to convey a message, it’s more important for the channel to be authentic than perfect. Additionally, he advises podcasts no

In this episode, South Carolina’s former State Parks Director, Phil Gaines, shares some post-retirement wisdom on marketplace ethics. Having served in multiple executive leadership roles, Gaines points out integrity, is not only the center of ethics but the foundation of sustainable leadership. In order to lead with integrity, there must be a culture of trust that starts from the beginning and endures on the frontlines. Furthermore, before an organization can develop ethical codes, Gaines submits there must first be a foundation marked by character and integrity since the ethical decision isn’t always the right decision. To help sustain standards of excellence, Gaines charges leaders to address mistakes as they happen, to be mindful of future generations, to see organizational functionality as inclusive to character, and to promote authenticity as an extension of integrity. By prioritizing these focus points, the groundwork for better growth, customer service, stewardship, vision, and accountability is laid.

On this episode, director Alex Jablonski reflects on his documentary, ‘Wildland’, which follows a single wildland firefighting crew over the course of one summer. In the film, a firefighting crew contracted through Grayback Forestry builds rapport as they struggle to contain fires in northern California. Influenced by his success in ‘Low and Clear’, a tale of two friends who drift apart during their final fly-flying trip, Jablonski discusses the challenges involved in filming around actual fires while building trust with the firefighters. For many firefighters, not only is the adaptation to life behind a lens difficult, but also the training and action sequences operated under artistic headings. Yet, despite the added pressure, the crew gradually acclimates as they become of age and mature in a dangerous, life-threatening environment. Jablonski also discusses why he pursued rookie firefighters in casting, his priority of narrative, and the reward of confrontational experience in directing.

In this episode, Christina Zerfas discusses her project, "Cans for Kili”, and her mission to impact the environment on local and global scales. Through eco funding, Christina’s team hopes to collect and recycle over 1.2 million aluminum cans not only to sell for scrap metal but also to reduce Indianapolis’s carbon output. In addition to raising funds for reforesting and cleaning efforts, Zerfas also plans to garner proceeds by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with three C4K team members next fall. The journey will start by planting indigenous trees at the base of the mountain. Then after summiting, the climbers will collect trash on their way back down, recycling it properly before returning home. Zerfas reminds us whether or not we’re climbing a mountain in Africa, we can all play a part in increasing local awareness through recycling to benefit future cities all over the world. By thinking green in our own communities, we can inspire the same in others far from home.

On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, James Fester, an educator, part-time volunteer, and Google-certified innovator, discusses park-based learning and its place in the classroom. When people think of parks, they often don’t think of education. As a result, many schools lack awareness of educational resources provided by county, state, and national parks. To bridge the gap, Fester unpacks a three-part program designed to facilitate connection through project-based learning. By serving as setup support, the initiative would not only help teachers facilitate learning but allow students to lead assignments and park rangers to participate in the process. Moving forward, Fester’s team plans to develop free, project-based download units teachers can use in the classroom while continuing to collaborate with parks in developing curriculums.

What are people looking for in the outdoors? Public spaces are becoming more culturally diverse and the parks services, resources, facilities, etc need to reflect these changes. Recent graduates are also facing different challenges in the parks recreation and tourism management field these days. For example, drones are now a thing to have to consider. Dr. Myron Floyd joins the Park Leaders show to discuss health in the parks. He is the department head and professor in parks recreation and tourism management at the North Carolina State University. There is a clear connection between having a park nearby and more opportunity for physical activity and your health. Parks have both physical and mental health benefits. They also provide community benefits because they help bring people together. Green spaces help alleviate stress, improve your mood, and can help people recover from demanding cognitive tasks.   Up and coming leaders should be able to deal with unpredictable challenges and have critical thinking skil

Leadership is not black and white. Once you have a leadership position, most of the decisions and situations you face will not be clear-cut or obvious on what you should do. Not black and white situations.  Most leaders how to operate in the gray areas. If you have set your operation up correctly, black and white decisions are made on the front line.   When you are making decisions in the gray area, you have to take information, advice, data, and make a decision based on your values and what is good for your people.  And then don't look back. Make your decision and keep moving forward.  Later, if you find out it wasn't the right decision, you make an adjustment as needed.  If you are a leader, working in the gray is your new normal.   

This episode is the start of something special. Phil Gaines, retired Director of South Carolina State Parks, is going to be a semi-regular guest co-host on the Park Leaders Show.  When parks lose a long-time leader like Phil, we lose so much knowledge and experience. By finding new ways to continue to bring past experiences into the work up and coming leaders are doing, we can continue to build the legacy of parks.  Empowerment is an overused phrase and an underused practice. Leaders naturally want to have their hand in everything that happens. It is hard to let go and let other people do work that may impact your reputation.  True empowerment is having front-line employees with the confidence and authority to make decisions.  In order to empower employees, you have to be comfortable and confident in your vision.  In this episode, we discuss what empowerment really is and why you need to adopt the idea to become a leader. We also give insight into how to begin to pass some of your responsibility and authority

When someone visits a park and they are curious, what is the first thing they want to do? Ask a ranger.  Park Rangers are icons of parks and one of the reasons people enjoy talking with Rangers is because they can answer your questions about nature.  Now, you no longer have to seek out a Park Ranger in a park to get an answer to your question.  Park Rangers Jess Phillips and Crystal Lloyd from North Carolina State Parks have launched the Ask a Ranger Podcast.  Jess Phillips from William B Umstead State Park and Crystal Lloyd from Falls Lake State Recreation Area teamed up to launch a podcast to be able to reach people who can't or haven't visited their parks.  Rangers Jess and Crystal share their story of how they started the podcast and some of the episodes they have created. They also offer advice on how you can start a podcast for your own park or agency.  Park Rangers educate the public every day. A podcast is no different. It is just a new and different tool to allow you to reach new people. 

On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, we explore maritime archeology with Denise Jaffke Denise as an Archeologist with California State Parks who is currently working on creating the Emerald Bay Maritime Heritage Trail.  Parks play a role in putting together pieces of historical puzzles through archeology. Add water, and there is a new layer of mystery to historical sites.  Denise explains the great work California is doing to share maritime historical treasures with the citizens of California.

To build a solid career, you need to build a solid network of peers, associates, and friends. A strong leader has a strong network. Dylan Mroszcyk-McDonald returns to the Park Leaders Show to continue our series on leadership and culture in parks. On this episode, we focus on building a network and how it can help your career. During your career in parks, you will have the opportunity to meet people in different parks throughout different regions. Building a relationship with them will build a solid relationship, even if the relationship is dormant for a season after you move on. The diversity of your network will lead to better job performance and increase the opportunity for a promotion. During the episode, Dylan gives us insight on how to grow and nurture a network that will have an impact on your career. This episode is the third in a series about leadership and culture in parks. The first three episodes are; Improving Leadership and Culture in Parks Innovative Leadership in Parks The Person is More Imp

In parks, we have spread the myth of a lone heroic leader at the top. We give special attention and privilege to someone with a leadership title. If it takes a hero to lead people, it moves leadership out of the reach of most people. As leaders, we need to remember the person is more important than the position. You don't have to have a title to be a leader. We need to treat every member of the staff as an important piece of the success of the park and encourage them to be a leader. Dylan Mroszcyk-McDonald returns to the Park Leaders Show to continue our series on leadership and culture in parks.  Focusing on a single heroic leader often leads to a staff unable to quickly adapt to change. It leads to competition because people feel there is scarcity in leadership, influence, and importance. Every contribution is valid. Everyone's work towards our mission is valuable. Park culture would benefit from a shift in this direction rather than highlight a lone heroic leader. Even if a leader gets accolades for accomp

After 37 years with South Carolina State Parks, Phil Gaines retired as Director. As Phil did during his entire career, he used his last day to lead by example.  On August 2, 2018, exactly 13 years after becoming Director of South Carolina State Parks, and exactly 37 years after starting his career as a park ranger, Phil Gaines ended his career the same way it began.  Director Gaines returned to Kings Mountain State Park, the place where he began his career and put on the uniform, transforming back to Ranger Phil. Ranger Phil spent the day cleaning bathrooms, picking up trash, and using a weedeater.  Phil said he did this on his last day for two reasons. First, so his career would go full circle. Second, to show there are no unimportant jobs in parks.  On this episode, Phil talks about his final day with parks as well as the changed he has seen in parks during the 37 years he has spent serving visitors to South Carolina parks.  Throughout his career, Phil Gaines has been an example of leadership and an inspira

Podcasts with Park Rangers is a podcast featuring conversations with Park Rangers from National Parks around the country.  Lucas and Sarah Villa-Kainec are the hosts of the podcast Podcasts with Park Rangers.   We sat down together at a picnic table in Fort Worden State Park. In this episode, we discuss their podcast, traveling across the country, and the rangers they have met.  There are a few podcasts about parks now, but what makes this podcast a little different is they focus on the park rangers rather than focus on the resource. Their conversations highlight the incredible storytelling of park rangers. Podcasts with Park Rangers also shows park rangers are people and not just a resource. 

Eben Sypitkowski is the Director of Baxter State Park in Maine.  Baxter State Park is a unique park. Baxter is a state park in name, but not park of Maine State Parks. The park started as a gift in land and resources from Governor Baxter. Two more ways Baxter is a unique park; it is completely self-funded.  This removes the park from the usual politics and worry of receiving funds from the state general fund. Second, the park places a priority on wilderness over recreation.  Eben was recently appointed to Director after being a forester and most recently Resource Manager. Eben discusses the transition from forester to the director. He explains his listening tour to understand the culture of the entire park and get to know the staff.  Eben has a passion for the place he now has the privilege to manage. Passion for place also inspires the rest of the staff of Baxter State Park. This same passion fuels many of us in parks. 

As technology has changed around us, it has created a tremendous opportunity for interpretation.  Brad Krey, Interpretation and Education Programs Manager for California State Parks, joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss how California is using technology to take the park to kids.  One concern we have in parks is remaining relevant. People will protect what they care about. They will care about what they learn about. In order to stay relevant, we need to continue helping kids learn about parks, wildlife, and wild places.  California State Parks has used video streaming to bring the park directly into classrooms. One interpretive staff member uses video conferences to introduce students to park resources. The kids may be nowhere near the park, but they are giving a connection to the park. The video session is live and in real time, which allows students to ask questions.  Once kids are connected to the park through one of these video interpretive session, it may be years before it pays off. But a seed is plan

Wild Jobs are all around us, but often go unnoticed. John Griffith returns to the Park Leaders Show to tell us about his new show, Wild Jobs, on Animal Planet. Griffith uses the show to highlight conservation and the hard work done at wildlife sanctuaries and animal hospitals. Getting a show with Animal Plant started years ago when John uploaded his first video to YouTube. The video went viral and made John a YouTube star because of his dancing. John used his dancing to turn attention to his true love, conservation. Now, his love for conservation gave him an opportunity to host Animal Planet's first digital show. In each episode, John spends the day working with people who care for animals. You will enjoy watching John do a variety of jobs from trimming porcupine toenails to changing monkey diapers.

Dylan Mroszczyk-McDonald returns to the Park Leaders Show to continue the discussion about leadership and culture in parks.  Dylan is a park ranger at Acadia National Park. In this episode, we discuss innovative leadership and the impact it can have on the culture of parks.  To some degree, we are doing the same job park rangers were doing 60 years ago. We are trying to protect and preserve parks.  With innovation, we can hold true to our history and mission while bringing in positive changes and best practices from organizations and movements found around us.  Innovation brings tension with it to people in parks who feel an obligation to hold on to our tradition and heritage.  Change throughout an entire agency begins with a single individual making a change. You can start the long progress of making change by having difficult conversations about leadership and culture in parks.  You can listen to the first episode in the series here. 

Being a park ranger is an admirable job. Many people grow up dreaming of becoming a park ranger.  Yet, too many people leave parks, and walk away from their dream, because of poor leadership or an unhealthy culture.  Dylan Mroszczyk-McDonald, a park ranger at Acadia National Park, joins host Jody Maberry on the Park Leaders Show to examine some of the challenges parks face with leadership and culture.  For the future of parks, we need to be able to not only attract but also retain a diverse staff.  The front line supervisor has the biggest impact on employees and our ability to accomplish the mission of parks. By shifting the focus of parks away from the visitor and the resources and towards building leaders, we can begin to build a culture where people are willing to spend decades serving others.  The greater the employee experience, the greater the experience visitors will have.