"Leadership is hard because it's a gray decision. It's not a black and white decision. You have to take a breath, take two steps back, and figure out what the objective is and why the resource is being protected in order to make the right decision." - Phil Gaines Phil Gaines recently attended the California Parks training conference. He joins this episode to share what he learned there as well as his wealth of experience in park management and viewshed protection. One unexpected experience for this self-proclaimed Southern boy accustomed to sunshine, was venturing to the snow-filled wilderness of California. However, it was there that he found an interesting issue in the parks between protecting a historic view shed or letting nature take its course. This is one of the latest compelling clashes between preservation and progress.   There were other impactful moments while he was at the conference including learning from park rangers from around the country and talking about the importance of friends groups and the impact of homelessness on parks. They also talked about viewshed protection, which he learned firsthand when trying to preserve the Table Rock Overlook. He argued that the view was sacred and a way to connect people to the resource. He found that viewshed protection was a difficult decision, as it often involves compromising between natural and cultural landscapes. Despite the difficulty of the decision, Phil was able to protect the view of Table Rock Mountain, giving visitors the opportunity to be blown away by its magnificence. Resources

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On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the ways parks can manage seasonal staff shortages.

While park careers have their perks, the challenge of filling them is increasing in today’s climate. As Phil explains, recruiters are not only struggling to compete with other industry compensations but also to confirm interest from a remote audience. Since many park positions require onsite involvement, finding the right candidate can be arduous pending qualifications and willingness to relocate.

 What then is the solution? While there’s no one-size, fit-all fix, in theory, scouts must embrace unorthodox means to reach their talent pool. From analytically driven social media job postings to community involvement, park recruiters must be willing to establish relationships from teachers and school children to parents and business leaders.

Resources

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On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Jody welcomes guest Daniel Selmi to discuss the rise of environmental law. Dan is a retired Professor at Loyola Law School and joins the show to discuss his new book, “Dawn at Mineral King Valley”.

A Disney aficionado, Selmi discusses the inspiration behind the book and unpacks Disney’s struggle to build a ski resort in what is now Sequoia National Park. Amidst the legal battle between the Sierra Club and the National Park Service, Selmi discloses little-known facts about the ordeal culminating in a memorable Supreme Court ruling.

Though the Sierra Club’s efforts would ultimately inhibit Disney’s ability to build the resort, with many environment lessons compacted within a single narrative, you’ll find Selmi’s storytelling and commentary compelling as he takes you back in time into a groundbreaking case study.

Resources

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Resources

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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/

 

On this episode of Park Leaders Show Donald Forgione joins to discuss some of the biggest issues in parks in 2023.

Resources

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On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, Lori Modde, Founder & Managing Director of Lorick Management, joins the show discuss the balance of tourism and community development.

As a community and economic development expert with over 25 years of experience, Lori has long been an advocate for national parks in Australia. Having started out as a marketing manager in the tourism industry, Lori’s business, Lorick Management, has worked on campaigns to encourage diversity and health within tourism since the mid 2000’s.

Despite the pandemic, Lori believes the return to normality will require more commercial intentionality to not only motivate park participation but explore the financial benefits of promotion. For more information about Lori’s work, visit her website at https://womenintourism.com.

Resources

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On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss public lands with special guest and nationally recognized historian, Clay Jenkinson.

As an expert on Theodore Roosevelt’s life and presidency, Clay unpacks the dynamics surrounding Roosevelt’s exploration and conservation efforts. He also dissects the generational differences concerning the expectations of parks. For instance, when one talks about spiritual significance, Roosevelt’s definition is arguably more sacred than the modern-day interpretations due to how people perceive reverence and what constitutes a rejuvenation of the human spirit. 

Either way, to be a better American, Clay suggests people understand what made this country what it is and advises park leaders to define public lands to include better technology for maximal engagement. While Roosevelt and his peers were compelled to pioneer accessibility, if the current populace is to appreciate iconic landmarks, there must be pathways for them to embrace that accessibility.

Resources

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On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss standard awareness in parks.

Based on true stories, Jody and Phil discuss how parks should handle their facilities during financial hardships. Since one of the most important buildings in the park is the bathroom, park rangers must take care of maintenance matters in a timely fashion to retain credibility and morale.

As Phil suggests, dare to ask yourself, ‘What message do I want to send? What standards do I want the public to notice?’ Whatever the answer, if you permit it, you promote it. You may base decisions solely on finances and budget cuts, but if quality control becomes a casualty, all sides lose in the long run.

Resources

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On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the life and legacy of Gifford Pinchot. 

As a top 10 influencer on Phil’s park and conservation list, Pinchot, often heralded as the Father of American conservation, left an impressionable legacy on national parks. Not only did he professionalize forest management but established the modern definition of conservation as a “wise use” approach to public land. In his words, stewardship was regarding “the greatest good for the greatest number in the long run.”

A peer of Teddy Roosevelt, Pinchot founded the Society of American Foresters in 1900 to preserve public lands and prevent exploitation. Having served as the first chief of the U.S. Forest Service, Pinchot also tripled the nation's forest reserves using his conservation definition to maintain long-term health of state resources.

Resources 

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On this episode of the Park Leaders Show, guest co-host, Phil Gaines, returns to discuss the importance of operating with a sense of urgency.

While urgency is often discussed as a function of time, as Phil explains, the term for park rangers should be viewed through intentionality. Like business leaders, park rangers should not reduce urgency to deadlines but enhance it through deliberation. More specifically, they must know their goals, be able to define pathways, and make differences within time restraints.

Per Phil’s experiences, operating with a sense of urgency is not about speed but action. Accordingly, if you understand urgency in a healthy way, chances are you’ll be able to move organizations forward and inspire your teams along the way.

Resources

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On this episode of Park Leaders Show Phil Gaines joins me to talk about the changes in the recreation experience over the last few years. With the increase in crowds a ranger is a part of the park experience, possibly now more than ever. 

After a recent trip to Glacier National Park I noticed that there are a lot of people in our parks. It seems that the pandemic awoke something in people that helps them realize parks are where you go to recharge and rejuvenate. 

While many people visit state parks to feel connected to nature, as Phil explains, the park ranger is an integral part of the experience. Like Mickey Mouse at Disney World, the park ranger is more than a friendly face but an icon of park visitation.

Accordingly, as leaders of conservation and preservation, rangers should consider themselves just as much a part of the park landscape as the terrain and wildlife. Although attractions have their place, park leaders should not undermine their role amidst the little things. After all, what rangers say and how they interact with people can go a long way in defining a positive moment for the visitor.

Resources

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