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

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