Park Leaders Show

"The only way you're going to save the world is with a damn good story."

Notable Moments

02:13 – Jeff's origin story: how a zoo letter changed his life

04:47 – Radical collaboration and partnerships across conservation groups 06:31 – Story of Pueblo Patagonia and local leadership in Chile

13:16 – Big change starts with one local champion

17:26 – Why storytelling is essential to conservation success

24:16 – Gabon's 30x30x30x30 model and protecting rivers, too

26:14 – Partnering with Disney for the Lion Recovery Fund

33:18 – Jody's zoo and creek story: early sparks of passion

37:52 – Jeff's advice for new park leaders: seek diverse experiences, tell good stories

What if the future of conservation hinged less on policy and more on storytelling?

Conservation doesn't start with land. It starts with people. And it lasts because of the stories we carry forward. In this episode, Jody Maberry talks with Jeff Parrish, Global Managing Director at The Nature Conservancy. Jeff shares how global conservation success starts with local champions, radical collaboration, and the power of storytelling. From protecting ancient forests in Chile to elephants in Gabon, Jeff emphasizes that people are the heart of conservation, not policy. He highlights partnerships with Disney and grassroots leaders, and reminds us that whether you're a donor or a ranger, your story matters.

Read the blog and make sure to take a listen to hear more on how stories connect people to conservation.

Episode Resources

The Nature Conservancy

About Jeff

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Notable Moments

[00:01:03] – Why politics and public land are inseparable

[00:04:37] – The impact of the Antiquities Act on land policy

[00:06:57] – South Carolina's bipartisan approach to land conservation

[00:10:31] – Western vs. Eastern perceptions of public land ownership

[00:15:11] – Economic and social value of protected lands

[00:21:13] – The difference between temporary wins and permanent losses

[00:26:40] – Why every acre counts, from Yellowstone to your local county park

Jody Maberry and Phil Gaines explore the often-overlooked political realities of public land management. They examine how geography, history, and growth shape public land debates differently across regions, especially in the East vs. the West. From the Antiquities Act to state and federal tensions, they reflect on why effective leadership requires understanding policy and public sentiment. Phil shares South Carolina's strategic approach, and both emphasize that conservation is about legacy—not just land. This episode encourages park leaders to engage in meaningful conversations, beyond politics, to protect the places that define our country.

Read my blog for more about the politics of public lands.

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There are a number of ways parks can contribute to the United States' 250th anniversary. From South Carolina's rich revolutionary history to the roles western parks can play, this conversation highlights how parks serve as stewards of history, not just nature. Phil joins to share his involvement with state commissions and the American Battlefield Trust, offering ideas for programming, preservation, and storytelling.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Notable Moments

[02:30] Phil's work with commissions and battlefield preservation

[04:02] Lexington and Concord: the shot heard around the world

[06:29] Parks' role in preserving and retelling history

[09:30] Revolutionary stories from South Carolina

[11:30] Creating commissions across the U.S.

[13:00] The opportunity for storytelling and youth engagement

[17:11] Andrew Jackson's teenage war story

[20:48] Importance of land preservation

[21:51] How every state can contribute to the celebration

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"I'm going to do something that's connected to the national parks or our or a state park near me so that I can use my knowledge and see the real world impact it has. And that way, I never am stuck in class asking, why is this important? Why on earth do I have to learn this?"

Notable Moments

03:02 Parks' Enhanced Virtual Learning Programs

05:30 The Value of Learning About Distant Places

12:39 Bridging Classrooms and Public Lands

17:53 Engaging Park Rangers as Educators

24:08 Enhancing Park Visitor Experience

26:14 Park Principles for Classroom Management

Order the Book The National Park Classroom

www.nationalparkclassroom.com

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Every park holds stories waiting to be told. James Fester, an educator and former interpreter with California State Parks and the National Park Service, returns to discuss the ever-evolving connection between national parks and education.

Read the blog for more on the ways that parks have been successfully integrated into classrooms and the powerful outcomes of such collaborations.

"We've designed the bathroom to be agnostic to the environment in which it goes. There are certainly other operational considerations the further out you go, but there's really no fundamental limitation as to where we put a throne."

Bathrooms in parks are rarely the focus of innovation, but I was eager to dive into this unexplored territory with guests Jessica Heinzelmann and Fletcher Wilson from Throne Labs. Together, they are revolutionizing bathrooms, transforming them from mundane necessities into seamless, data-driven experiences for park visitors. Read the blog for more from this episode about how they are helping rethink park restrooms.

Notable Moments

06:21 Rethinking Bathroom Infrastructure

08:04 User-Driven Feedback Systems to Ensure Cleanliness

11:16 Addressing the Needs of Women and Families

15:57 Creating a Quick, Hassle-Free Bathroom Solutions

20:20 Smart Bathrooms Enhance Experience and Opportunities

22:29 Automated Park Lockdown System

Connect with ThroneLabs

ThroneLabs.com

LinkedIn Jessica Heinzelman

LinkedIn Fletcher Wilson

Connect with Jody

www.jodymaberry.com

About Jody - https://jodymaberry.com/about-jody-maberry/

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"You have to be ready because change is constant, and you have to be able to adapt and adjust."

As the retired director of South Carolina State Parks and a current professor at Clemson University, Phil Gaines has wisdom on navigating administrative changes in park systems that is invaluable. He joined me to break down the often tumultuous times when new administrations take office. Transitions can be tough. Read the blog to hear how more on our conversation about strategic planning and adapting to new leadership in the park system.

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"Nothing gets done without partners. And in fact, it's way more fun when you get to do it with other people."

Philanthropy is a powerful tool that often goes unnoticed in the world of park management. I have the privilege of diving deep into this with Sarah Unz, Vice President of Community Partnerships at the National Park Foundation, and Ryan McClure, Executive Director of Gateway Arch Park Foundation and Board Chair of the Friends Alliance. Read the blog for more on creating world-class experiences and preserving our natural treasures for future generations.

00:00 Reimagining the Arch Experience

03:49 Embracing Environmental Partnerships

08:17 "National Park Friends Alliance Collaboration"

12:58 "Philanthropy's Role in National Parks"

14:30 Urban Parks: Unique Role & Philanthropy

19:13 Historic Courthouse Renovation Art Project

23:32 "Parks Fundraising Campaign Launch"

26:09 Proud National Park Campaign Collaboration

Resources

Gateway Arch Park Project

National Park Foundation

Friends Alliance

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Childhood adventures in nature can shape a lifetime of curiosity and exploration. That's why I was thrilled to chat with Chris Anderson, creator of "OutSCIder," an initiative bringing educational videos about national parks into classrooms. Through his work, Chris is ensuring the next generation doesn't just learn about nature but forms lasting bonds with it. Read the blog for more on how OutSCIder is helping kids find a passion for exploration and conservation.

https://www.outscider.org/

YouTube Channel OutSCIder

Instagram OutSCIder

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"After 43 years of doing this, some things didn't sound accurate to me. So I started researching this in in order to to put together a program to go out and really explain what the history of these places are and what is fact and what is fiction."

When was the last time you thought about the history behind our public lands? It's more intricate than many realize. One person that knows that is a veteran leader in the world of parks, Walt Dabney.

Walt joined us fresh from the 47th annual Ranger Rendezvous. This event started back in 1977 and continues to bring park rangers together. His presentation on the history and future of public lands was incredibly compelling. Do yourself a favor and take the time to watch it on YouTube.

Walt unpacked the historical context of how America's public lands came to be, from the Louisiana Purchase and Treaty of Paris to the impacts of the Mexican War. He explained how the lens of history is crucial to understanding current debates, particularly the contentious issue of transferring federal lands to state control.

One of the major points Walt made was the looming risk if states like Utah successfully demand federal land transfers. Managing these lands is no small feat, with wildfire costs alone hitting $119 million in 2018. If states can't afford to manage these lands, we risk seeing them sold off and lost forever.

Walt, who once led Texas State Parks and served decades in the National Park Service, brings the wisdom of his extensive career to the forefront. His ongoing educational outreach highlights the importance of public engagement. His key message is clear: we must understand and appreciate public lands' history to safeguard their future.

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Notable Moments

00:42 Prescott's volunteer-driven, unique park ranger system.

03:26 Code enforcement change to interpretation.

07:07 Leave No Trace signs to improve local campsites.

11:48 Enhance accessibility and safety to attract families.

15:38 Launching a Junior Ranger program

18:06 Nature Ninos partner is developing a local STEM activity center.

20:53 ADA trails improve park accessibility.

Sean Underhill is a park ranger from Prescott, Arizona helping get city-level park programs up and running. He shares insights into their extensive volunteer efforts and a new ranger program that is building a bridge between parks and local communities. The implementation of a city level Junior Ranger program is one great example of the innovative initiatives they are working on.

Read the blog for more of the takeaways from my conversation with Sean.

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