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

Dan Bortner, the recently promoted Director of Indiana Department of Natural Resources, joins me today.   With 15 years as a State Parks Director, Dan has transitioned into overseeing not only all of Indiana’s State Parks but the regulatory aspects beyond land holdings as well. At every level of leadership within parks, being surrounded by the best talent you can afford can make or break the culture. Forming the right team, regardless of “qualifications,” will build a sustainable infrastructure.   In the current environment, as the rest of the world closed down, people rediscovered the joy of outdoor spaces, and all they have to offer. The impact that state parks have on mental health and the economy has come to the forefront. As Park Leaders, understanding the role that State Parks play in the big picture is paramount. Having a desire and intentionally working toward leaving a legacy is what long-term conservation is all about. Leaving our parks better than we found them is essential to us as leaders. Walkin

Phil Gains, my semi-regular co-host, is with me once again; and today, we are tackling a listener’s question.   Special thanks to Sean Bonage for submitting this episode’s question. Sean asks, “What do you think are some of the most critical topics that you think need addressing that could help inspire a graduate student in their effort to better public land experiences for park visitors?”   As we answer Sean’s question, we consider the importance of not relying on the traditional use of public lands. How do we stay relevant when everything around us is changing? Taking the current climate into consideration, more than ever, we need to be listening to our stakeholders, our citizens, and expanding our understanding of our visitors. We also explore advocacy and access to parks and the necessity of educating many first-time visitors in the arena of conservation and personal responsibility.   Diversity of recreation and overall inclusion is challenging us as park leaders to redefine how parks are used and how we

Today, Mark Caughlin, district manager for Horsetooth Reservoir and park ranger for the Larimer Country Resources department, joins us to discuss his career pathway. Working within the Colorado county system, Mark explains how his jobs have been impacted by the Fort Collins population boom as well as the coronavirus.  He also talks about his responsibilities with Park Law Enforcement Association and how he hopes to inspire more park ranger training programs around the country. Mark also talks about resource protection and mentorship as cornerstones to excellence in the park ranger industry.

On this special episode of the Park Leaders Show, Phil Gaines returns to discuss how the podcast has evolved the past six years. After debuting in April 2014, the Park Leaders Show continues to pursue its niche in educating park rangers on the value of leadership. As Jody explains, there have been many lessons learned during the podcast’s run, but the reward has been well worth the investment.  To conclude the show, Jody and Phil revisit their most frequently asked question, “What advice do you have for an up and coming park ranger who wants to leave an impact?”

In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Phil Gaines joins me again as my semi-regular guest host. Today, we are diving deep on employee motivation and how we, as leaders, can help to sustain it, even in trying times. The current landscape of our nation can feel like it is one thing after another. In these times, it is necessary to keep a pulse on our team and provide motivation. In seasons as we find ourselves in, even the most motivated employees can be struggling. Often we view money as the key motivator, but on its own, it can fall short. Motivation, by definition, is temporary; culture is what carries through. As leaders, we must encourage our team with the resources we have available to us. This is how we build a sustainable culture. By fostering a culture of engagement and empowerment, we help our employees understand they are part of something bigger than themselves. Communicating where we are and where we are going fosters self-motivation within our team. You don’t have to have all the answers. By p

On today’s episode of the Park Leaders Show, we have an old friend joining us. John Griffith has guested on six episodes over the past six years and has been integral in the growth of the show. John is a huge voice in the conservation movement and has worked to educate the masses for many years with a 19-year stint in the California Conservation Core and as the host of Wild Jobs on Animal Planet. John has now transitioned to a place of passion as a Nature Guide or Interpreter for the North Coast District of California State Parks. While tenure may have him as the “new guy”, his background in social media and creating relevant education have helped him build a thriving educational program even during the current pandemic we are experiencing. Today we discuss the importance of empowering guests and visitors to recreate the awe they experience in a natural setting and translate it to the nature around them in their daily lives. The importance of sowing seeds of inspiration in the short touchpoints nature guides

Marnin Robbins, Interpretive Program Manager for the North Coast Redwoods District and California State Parks, discusses his story and the value of interpretation. As Marnin describes, interpretation is a mixture of information exchange and inspiration exchange - a role that helps provide context and meaning for people who visit natural landmarks. While the job covers much ground, exploring interpretation in parks is rooted in interactive conversation and bringing nature to life virtually. Understandably, this aspect was limited in decades past; however, today, using modern technology, park rangers can now protect national parks and help people understand their significance through online interpretive programs.

Our semi-regular guest host, Phil Gains, is back with us to discuss a somewhat controversial topic in park leadership: park rangers & law enforcement.   There are many differing opinions and policies about the role of law enforcement in parks. Expectations and execution vary from state to state. People feel strongly about how and why law enforcement should be in place. When you boil it down, law enforcement plays an important part in the parks landscape: to protect our visitors and the resources we have been entrusted to steward.   Regardless of your stance, as leaders, it is our responsibility to provide the necessary training and equipment to our team, whatever that may look like at your park. While philosophies range from 'Ranger First' to 'Law Enforcement First (or someone will get hurt)', the goal remains the same; being prepared and utilizing the tools available to us to serve our visitors and provide a safe environment for enjoying our parks.

In today’s episode of the Park Leader’s Show, Phil Gains is with us again and is introducing us to Donald Forgione, a longtime friend and former Director of Florida State Parks. As a leader, we must encounter a crisis with confidence and humility. Leaders do not need to have all the answers, but they must be prepared to be a calming and reassuring presence. Especially in today’s unprecedented situation, being proactive and working on a plan for the next season is key to supporting our teams. While some tasks and operations need to take place, there is still one other critical piece that needs constant attention – our people. The tasks will get done because we have a strong team, and as leaders, we must prioritize caring for our people.

Phil Gaines returns to discuss how COVID-19 is affecting state parks and what to expect when they reopen. As Gaines explains, it’s possible to stay relevant in global crises like the coronavirus. Despite the social limitations, park leaders can still make decisions that are timeless and timely. The key is knowing what direction to go, when to go there, and how to incorporate outside input into the mix.

Our semi-regular guest host, Phil Gains, retired Director of South Carolina State Parks joins us. We are in a historical and unprecedented time. With most state parks closed for an extended period, we will begin to see leaders emerge or be exposed. As leaders, you don’t need to have all of the answers. You need to know how to deal and communicate in a way that communicates the values found in park culture. Consistency, integrity, empathy, and the prioritization of health and safety are key when you find yourself in a crisis without precedent.   Parks is a people business and now, more than ever, leaders must position themselves to care for people. Reach out, document the experience and find time to care for yourself so are able to care of others.

Phil Gaines returns on-site at Lake Tahoe to discuss how to stay relevant in an ever-changing world. Speaking from a local perspective, Phil talks about the importance of taking care of watersheds, providing outdoor recreation, and understanding location. For instance, while water supply is abundant in the southeast, in California the mindset is different since limitation is more a cultural norm. As for staying relevant, while technology and networking are important, knowing the needs of your surroundings is also key. Especially in times of crisis and uncertainty, understanding capacity is vital to land and water resource protection. In short, while staying relevant involves adapting and evolving, it’s ultimately incomplete if the mindset isn’t filtered through current issues and settings.

Donald Forgione, Director of Florida State Parks, discusses his background and what it means to be “Ranger First”. After starting his career as a Park Ranger with Florida State Parks, Forgione transitioned to Director, a role he admits he didn’t expect to land. During this time, he developed a special tagline, “Ranger First”, to remind himself and others how the responsibilities of a park ranger go beyond title. As Forgione explains, behaviors and values speak louder than words in the park business. Though responsibilities change over time, the humility and pride of being a ranger should never waver.

On this special episode of the Park Leader Show, Dan Cockerell, and former VP of the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and Lee Cockerell, retired Executive Vice President of Walt Disney World,  talk about how to handle a crisis. Here are four steps to keep in mind while dealing with a crisis: Safety First. Before anything else, the safety of employees, customers, and yourself comes before anything else. Deal with the Facts. During a crisis people get emotional. People speculate and gossip. You should deal only with the facts when you communicate with people. Be Empathetic. Everybody is dealing with a crisis in different ways for different reasons. Understand people are worried. Use the situation to get better. You and your organization can learn plenty from a crisis. Use it as a training opportunity. During a crisis, your culture is on show for everyone to see. Your actions should match your words. What you say doesn’t build a culture. Culture is built through actions.

Jim Bryson, Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Conservation of Tennessee State Parks, discusses the benefit of leaning on your team and the importance of innovation in how you handle communication across your organization.   Joining Tennessee State Parks from a corporate background in marketing research, Jim has discovered how central building a culture of trust within your organization is. As a leader, you set the pillars and vision, and you lean on your staff to fill in the how to your why. Being confident in your leadership allows you to pull from the experience of those around you.   Jim also shares his experience in starting the first internal podcast dedicated to communication and recognition within the Tennessee State Park staff. As leaders, communicating across a widespread team can be challenging, but it is imperative for building a strong organization. By taping into the deeply held passion for the mission and sharing wins and initiatives, you can meet three key needs: provide information, entertainme

Today’s social media-driven culture is saturated with negativity, politics and sales pitches. From Glacier National Park, Jeff Noel and Jody Maberry discuss the impact of Jody’s “Minute in Nature” moments on Instagram Stories.   Pausing to capture a minute of beauty in nature is a way of taking a moment and quieting ourselves. As Jody shares today, being intentional to put some positivity into the world is good for the soul and can help expose more people to the beauty that is found in the great outdoors, especially national parks.   Join the #minuteinnature movement and share your own minute in nature with the world.

Phil Gaines returns to discuss family issues within park leadership. For many park leaders with families, the relocations associated with the job can be taxing. In some cases, the move can be beneficial for the ranger, but not necessarily the family. According to Gaines, since ranger families are often the face of the family park experience, it’s important to know how to establish harmony and positive representation. For instance, with succession planning and employee retention, parker leaders should factor their family into these endeavors to boost morale and accountability. After all, in a changing social climate where spouses are breadwinners and school transitions are complicated, bridging family strategy into employee strategy can reap beneficial dividends.

Dan Bortner, Director of Indiana State Parks, discusses the “business” side of parks and the importance of fostering a healthy paradigm within your team. In the parks business, you must understand that your business is memory-making. Your product is a consistent experience across some of the most unique locations your state has to offer. Whether empowering the leaders under you or working with them to create a brand, building trust goes a long in setting the destination. Dan also discussed the value of surrounding yourself with integrity - honest people who may or may not be better than you. As leaders, it’s essential we not only empower our team to solve problems and make decisions but provide the method, the manpower and the materials needed to get the job done. In all things, it’s important to understand you are here for a brief amount of time and your goal must be to do the best you can while you are here.

Grady Spann, Director of Arkansas State Parks, discusses the importance of trust in all aspects of park management and leadership.   After growing up in Brazil, receiving his degree, and serving in the army, Grady started his state park tenure as a Superintendent of an archeological park in Arkansas. Serving as the superintendent of multiple parks, the lessons he’s learned have served him well in his current role as Director of Arkansas State Parks. The importance of trust has proven a recurring theme, whether facilitating stadium events or hosting the State Parks Directors conference.   Regardless of the position, stewarding the trust of your customer, be it a camper, sports fan or visiting State Park Director, is paramount with serving in a parks program. Park leadership is not just about making changes – it’s about being a public servant. Embracing the Ranger First initiative recognizes that rangers deal with many things: hospitality, customer experience, and critical incidents. In each case, they have a d

Ryan Jenkins, Park Manager at Henry Horton State Park, discusses his upbringing, his love for nature, and current projects. Raised in a National Forest Service family, Ryan pursued music and business in college before rediscovering his love for parks in his late 20’s. Since then, he has been active in promoting health initiatives involving park activities. One activity in particular, Healthy Parks Healthy Person, has been largely successful. Launched in 2015, the Healthy Parks Healthy Person is a stamp card program allowing app users to earn rewards based on their park activity. These points can then be redeemed as discounts and other benefits from participating businesses. The big-picture goal, as Ryan explains, “We just want to get people outside for their health. We want to create behavior change with this application. In order to do that, we utilize the gamification and technology…to try to get people into our parks.”