Craig Seaver joins us again to continue exploring Rangering" and introducing "Ranger First." Many agencies have adopted the Ranger First Philosophy, which continues to gain popularity nationwide. 

Visitors to parks, forest and natural areas are often on vacation and do not have a care in the world. They are often focused on enjoying and spending time with their family and friends and their next adventure. Donald Forgione shares an idea from "The Ecotourism Provider's Handbook, 180 Techniques For An Exceptional Park, Preserve, Or Nature-Based Attraction" he co-wrote with Vincent P. Magnini, PH.D. Posting local weather forecast and informing visitors of potential weather threats can help our visitors plan their day and can keep them safe. 

Craig Seaver joins us for a fascinating walk through time as he shares his knowledge of the origins of Land and Wildlife Managers. From biblical references to present day, Park Rangers, Forest Rangers, Wildlife Managers, and many other positions in our profession will be able to trace there roots back in time. Craig highlights the pioneers in the conservation and recreation movements. 

During this episode of Tailgate Talks Donald discusses the surprising contrast between two parks and how it affects your visitor experience. The section of road between the highway and the ranger station really sets the stage for the visitor's experience. It is important to audit these signs in this important section of the park drive.

Auditing signs is a way to improve the park experience. Issues to consider included whether the signs are needed, if they can be more effective in another location, and if there is an appreciation sign on the way out of the park.

In this episode, you will learn:

• how auditing park signs can make a difference to a visitor's experience
• if signs are necessary in parks, and if they can be placed elsewhere
• how parks can show appreciation for their visitors

"Be mindful of the difference in atmosphere when entering a new park."

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https://tailgate-talks.com/

"Instill the art of knowing your surroundings and being keen to their functionality, utilizing all your senses to enhance the maintenance of your parks and facilities." - Warren Poplin Warren Poplin is a retired United States Coast Guardsman and Florida Park Service Bureau Chief with 34 years of experience. He has an extensive background in maintenance, resource management, customer service, and living history.

During his distinguished career as a United States Coast Guardsman, Warren learned the importance of maintenance. He was able to use this knowledge to excel with the Florida Park Service, where he rose to become the Bureau Chief for District One Park.

Through his experience, Warren learned of the importance of maintenance sensitivity - using all of one's senses to enhance the visitor experience. He shared this knowledge with others, emphasizing how something as simple as a little oil on a squeaky screen door or water in a PTRAP can make a huge difference in a visitor's experience.

In this episode, you will learn:

• how maintenance of facilities and parks impact a visitor's experience
• what maintenance sensitivity is and how can it be taught to park professionals
• how park professionals can use all five senses to enhance the visitor experience

Warren's passion for maintenance sensitivity lives on as he teaches others this important lesson.

"Maintenance sensitivity is being keen to what the visitor is experiencing."

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:08] What is most important for park service professionals? Cleanliness.

[00:07:19] It's a cool place. And you get to see these cool old engines and how do they maintain them? Because if you're a state park that is about trains and the train isn't maintained, and you can't ride the train, that stinks.

[00:07:46] Maintenance sensitivity is to instill the art of knowing your surroundings and being keen to their functionality. It’s utilizing all your senses to enhance the maintenance of your parks and facilities.

[00:09:24] Use senses of sound and odor to detect maintenance needs. One example involves a cabin where the screen door sounded like a coffin opening. Just a little bit of oil would have totally changed the experience

[00:13:17] The lack of maintenance sensitivity can cause a bad experience. The most important sense that we have to stimulate our visitors is the sense of sight at our locations.

[00:18:13] We can use our vision to help with maintenance. It's just a matter of putting yourself in the visitor's place. Are we providing the best that we possibly can for all of the senses?

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https://tailgate-talks.com/

"It is the staff's attitude and not the visitor's mobility that sometimes defines the limits of accessibility."

When his elderly mother's mobility impedes their visit to a state park, Donald must rely on the compassionate staff to help her navigate the challenging terrain, inspiring him to use his experience to create an accessible eco-tourism operation.

Donald learned about accessibility of natural areas and historic sites from after an experience visiting a state park with his elderly. There are challenges around providing universal accessibility in these areas, but it is staff attitude that often limits it.

If you are a park leader, gather a team and discuss measures to make the operation more accessible. There is also value in highlighting accessibility on websites and assessing operations for ADA compliance.

In this episode, you will learn the following:

• how eco-tourism providers can make their operations more accessible
• what measures can be taken to ensure visitors with mobility issues are welcomed and supported?
• how attitude, not just mobility, can define the limits of accessibility

"You have the power to make a positive impact on someone's life."

Connect With Donald

https://tailgate-talks.com/

"Take the leap and never stop making a difference - that's what Tailgate Talks is all about!" - Jody Maberry Welcome to Tailgate Talks with Donald Forgione. This podcast will be an inspiring and insightful journey about taking an active role in conservation and recreation. In this first episode, Donald welcomes Jody Maberry, an experienced podcast host and park leader. Together we explore the power of meaningful connections and our work with parks.

Donald Forgione became a park ranger in 1983. His career flourished, eventually leading him to become the director of the Florida Park Service. Now, he has developed Tailgate Talks to provide consulting, training, and speaking to cities, counties, states, and nonprofit organizations around the world.

After working as a park ranger with Washington State Parks for eight years, Jody went back to school and got an MBA. He started his podcast, the Park Leaders Show, to bring lessons from parks into the business world. He's now done more than 1700 podcast episodes over many years across many shows.

In this episode, you will learn:

How a former Coast Guard's skills can be applied to park rangers

The perspective of the only director to start as a park ranger in Florida

Techniques that can be found in Dr. Vincent Magnini's book, the Ecotourism Providers Handbook

Join Donald Forgione on more episodes of Tailgate Talks as he shares real-world experience and knowledge on conservation, parks, and leadership from around the world.

"What's in it for you is that it's another perspective. It's not right or wrong, and it's not greater or lesser than what you're thinking or what you're doing. It's just simply another perspective."

Episode Highlights

[00:03:07] When you are entry-level, you are with people all the time. As you rise up you spend less time with the people there recreating. It is still fun in different ways though.

[00:06:02] Donald was an airframe aircraft mechanic and would pass a state park twice a day. He took a leap of faith and became a Florida park ranger. In the end, he rose from park ranger to park director, the only one in Florida to do that.

[00:11:48] There are 50 states, of course, and many different agencies that could really use the experience. The podcast is the vehicle to get us to where they are so we can help.

[00:13:09] Every week on Tuesdays, we will release a 30-minute segment for you. On Thursdays, we will share a short three to five-minute episode.

[00:14:37] What's in it for you to listen to Tailgate Talks.

Connect With Donald

https://tailgate-talks.com/