Park Leaders Show

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 Awar...

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 abou...

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 ge...

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 par...

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 th...

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 abo...

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 lik...

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  Powha...

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...

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 kn...

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 ac...

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 wi...

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...

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 la...

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. Wha...

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...

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...

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 •...

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 • Fee...

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 yours...