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

Christen Miller's path towards becoming an interpreter began with a terrified toad. Seeing an interpretive program in a State Park, which included the toad, pushed Christen towards a life in parks.  Now, Christen is the Visitor Experience Director for Virginia State Parks.  In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Christen talks about interpretation, living history, creating a great visitor experience, and interpreting for visitors who may not be face to face with a park ranger. 

Brennan McAuley returns to the Park Leaders Show to share what he learned after another summer with the National Park Service.  Brennan is a student in the Temple Pro Ranger Program. Brennan has been on the Park Leaders Show to tell us about the Pro Ranger Program and again to talk about his first summer with the National Park Service.  This episode, Brennan returns to discuss his second summer with the National Park Service, learning from the leaders around him, and attending the Ranger Rendezvous. 

After a career in the military, Christina Ryan-Miller joined the National Park Service. In her role as a Zone Safety Manager, she makes sure park employees and visitors are safe.  In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, we talk all about safety. But we also talk about so much more.  Christina talks about her transition from the military, being an introvert in parks, and how to work with introverts.  By the way, if you have an introvert on your staff (and you do), check out the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. 

Most parks work with volunteers. Some parks treat volunteers like stars. When this happens, word spreads in the volunteer community.  But not all parks do well working with volunteers.  This episode of The Park Leaders Episode, we have the opportunity to hear words directly from a volunteer. This volunteer offers tips and advice on how to get the most working with volunteers. How often do we take time to listen to what volunteers have to say?  Today, we are going to listen to volunteers and consider how we can do better.  If there are some key things a volunteer would love for you to know: If you have a volunteer program, make sure you value them. Get the input from the volunteers.  Your Volunteer Coordinator shouldn’t be the only person who cares about volunteers.  Train your volunteers just like you train your staff.  Park Leaders T-Shirts are now available on Amazon. You can pick a shirt in three colors in Men's, Women's, and Youth sizes. Get your shirt here. 

Roy Sullivan is a one of a kind park ranger. His story is so unique, we are still talking about him today.  This episode of the Park Leaders Show, we share Roy's story. 

All Park Leaders are servant leaders. We serve guests, employees, and the resources we vow to protect.  Servant leaders recognize leadership is a stewardship responsibility. This style of leadership fits perfectly with people of parks. We serve the public and we serve resources.  Kevin Monroe joins the Park Leaders Show to explain servant leadership and how it applies to parks.  You can find Kevin Monroe at kevindmonroe.com, on Twitter @kevindmonroe, or his podcast here. 

Commander Bill Overby joins the Park Leaders Show to  Commander Overby discusses his new consulting business, and how technology has changed the park experience for visitors and park rangers.  After so many years in parks, first, as a park ranger followed by training over one thousand park rangers at the Parks Law Enforcement Academy, the Commander offers his observation on what Rangers face today they did not face 20 years ago.  Also, we discuss how you can build a reputation as a leader. 

Domenic Bravo, Director of Wyoming State Parks joins the Park Leaders Show to share his experience Domenic also discusses the National Association of State Parks Directors and why it is important to connect with our peers, no matter what our job in parks is.  Wyoming State Parks is also contending for the National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal Award. Director Bravo offers insight into the hard work and dedication it takes to become a Gold Medal finalist. 

Tom Heenan, a ranger at BelhusWoods Country Park, joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about the European Ranger Federation.  During our conversation, we talk about the issues Rangers face all over the world. Nature is the same and people are people, no matter if you are in Australia or the United Kingdom.  Tom also discusses the importance of being involved in a Ranger Association, and European Ranger Congress.

Appropriate use of a park ensures sustainability for that park. This is how Jeff Hallo explains they balance between the balance between parks role in serving customers and conserving natural resources.  Jeff is a social scientist and professor at Clemson University. The research Jeff does help parks create remarkable experiences for visitors while still being able to maintain the natural environment.  On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Jeff discusses how and why people use parks and how scientific data can help us better manage parks. 

Have you ever stopped to wonder what kids want when they visit your park? Tigran Nahabedian, known as Junior Ranger Tigran, joins the Park Leaders Show to give you an insight of how kids see your park.  Junior Ranger Tigran is no ordinary kid, though. He tours National Parks collecting Junior Ranger badges. He knows more about parks, wildlife, and plants than most people three times his age. He volunteers at parks.  Junior Ranger Tigran has even given a personal tour of a National Park to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke.  Tigran wants to be Director of the National Park Service. This kid is serious about parks. Follow Tigran on Twitter.

We are all interpreters. Whether it is in your title or not, if you work in parks, you are an interpreter. Margot Carlock, Executive Director of National Association for Interpretation, joins the Park Leaders Show to talk about what makes a great interpreter. The National Association for Interpretation represents individuals from parks, zoos, aquariums, theme parks, museums, and more. What is similar to interpreters in all of these fields? Margot explains it is  "A sincere interest and passion for working with the public" and "A commitment to provoke action." In this episode, you will find out what the National Association for Interpretation does, what interpretation is, and what makes a great interpreter.  Margot also explains how park visitors are changing and what that means for interpretation. 

In October 2016 we did an episode of the Park Leaders Show about the ProRanger Program at Temple University. In that episode, Brennan McAuley gave us a look at the program from a student's point of view.  Brennan returns to the Park Leaders Show to give us an update on what has happened with him and the ProRanger program since October.  Brennan also gives leaders insight into how you can help a new ranger coming into a new park or the park system.  You can follow along with Brennan on his ProRanger blog here. It is important leaders keep talking to young rangers like Brennan. We need to invest in young rangers so they will be strong leaders. 

Recently, I had lunch in Seattle with Alan Spears in Seattle. We talked about the great work the National Parks Conservation Association is doing.  We also talked about the work we have done with Park Leaders.  Then I had a chance meeting with Eric Watilo from Washington State Parks in downtown Seattle.  Being around leaders in parks and conservation reminded me of the important work we are doing together.  In this episode, I discuss the three years of Park Leaders and what might be coming in the next year. 

Back when I was at the Inspiring a New Generation Summit, I met Steve Jones. At the time, Steve was the President of Antioch University New England. He is now has a consulting and speaking firm and recently wrote a book called Nature Based Leadership. Well, since this show is about leadership in Parks, the idea of the book caught me right away. Steve Jones joins the Park Leaders Show explain Nature Based Leadership, and discuss examples of leadership lessons found in nature.  The idea of drawing leadership lessons from nature is a perfect fit for park professionals. Nature is all around us. Leadership lessons are hidden in our sight and we just have to draw them out.  You can find out more about Nature Based Leadership and the great work Steve Jones is doing at Great Blue Heron.  Get a copy of the book Nature Based Leadership here.    Connect with the Park Leaders Show on Twitter or Facebook.

Park visitors on active on social media. Is your park or agency using social media to engage and connect? Or are you just posting bulletins and the new hours your visitor center is open? Many parks and park agencies wonder what the proper way to use social media. In this episode of the Park Leaders Show, KC Procter talks about best practices for using social media to engage with park visitors. KC Procter works in social media in two ways. First, he manages social media accounts for businesses or people with personal brands. Among others, KC does social media for a well-known author and a celebrity photographer. KC also does social media consulting for businesses.  Today, KC is going to talk to you about how your agency or your park can do better with social media. He will also do a walk through on the Park Leaders Facebook page so you can understand what makes a Facebook post more appealing.  You can visit KC on Twitter or his website.   KC put together a bonus for listeners of the Park Leaders Show. CLICK HE

Sue Black, Director of Arizona State Parks, returns to the Park Leaders Show to talk about culture, visitation and the impact of parks on a state.  You can hear her first interview HERE. Director Black offers compelling reasons why parks are important as whole to a state and individual parks to communities. It is not about the park, it is about what happens in the park.  You can't listen to this interview with Director Black and not be proud to be involved in parks.  Connect with Park Leaders Facebook Twitter

Sue Black, Director of Arizona State Parks, joins the Park Leaders Show to discuss creating a Gold Medal culture in parks.  Arizona State Parks is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Director Black has a goal to win the National Parks and Recreation Association Gold Medal award this year. Throughout her career, Director Black has set high goals and then found a way to achieve it.   Sue Black has been a director of two State Park systems, Wisconsin and Arizona, as well as Director of a County Park system. She brings a unique perspective to any parks conversation. Customers don't care about jurisdiction. Customers want to recreate. If different park systems are willing to work together, we can serve people better.  As a previous Gold Medal winner with Milwaukee Country Parks, and a finalist with Wisconsin State Parks, Director Black is working with her team to develop the culture to make Arizona State Parks a Gold Medal winner.  Sue also shares the tragic story that led to Granite Mountain Hotshot Memorial State

When the Director of Texas State Parks was a guest on the Park Leaders Show, he mentioned the Ambassador Program as one of the great things they were doing in Texas. Tyler Priest, the coordinator of the Ambassador Program, joins the Park Leaders Show to tell us more about the program Director Leisure is so proud of. An Ambassador Program is a way for a park system to introduce younger people to parks. Even if an Ambassador alumni does not end up working for parks, they will be a lifelong supporter and user of parks. During this interview, you will find out the structure of the Program, the commitment from parks to each Ambassador, and what parks can expect from an Ambassador Program. If you want to receive an information sheet about the Texas State Parks Ambassador Program, click here.  In addition to Tyler Priest, we also talk to Program alumni. Jenise Zuidema gives insight to the program from the inside as an Ambassador going through the training and working with a park. Listen to the interview with Brent L

James Slade grew up in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Now, he is on the front line in Africa working as Operations Manager and ranger with the Zimbabwe International Anti-Poaching Foundation. James will give us an inside look at what it is like to be an anti-poaching ranger, and what the poaching situation is like in Zimbabwe.  Although in a management role, James spends as much time as possible shoulder to shoulder. This leadership trait will allow managers to get to know field staff better and get a feel for the pulse of what is happening in the field.  James also speaks about the impact of his time at the World Ranger Congress.  Rangers gathered together helps build a brotherhood, or sisterhood, and recharge and reinspire us to keep working on the important work we do.  Park Leaders on Facebook - Park Leaders Park Leaders on Twitter - @ParkLeaders