"We were sent to Alaska to show the flag, explain why we were there, and make sure nobody got hurt. None of that was guaranteed."

Notable Moments

[00:04:26] Why the Alaska Ranger Task Force was formed
[00:06:12] Establishing a ranger presence across 60 million acres
[00:10:05] Hostility toward rangers on the ground
[00:19:25] Aircraft sabotage and safety risks
[00:24:22] Plane burned during task force operations
[00:31:10] Defusing a tense confrontation in McCarthy
[00:39:36] A landmark game case in Gates of the Arctic
[00:46:53] Defining success: restraint and leadership

Walt Dabney recounts his experiences as part of the 1979 Alaska Ranger Task Force, a small group sent to establish a National Park Service presence following the proclamation of new national monuments. He shares stories of isolation, hostility, restraint, and leadership during a pivotal moment in public lands history.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

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"People don't fall in love with parks because of facts alone. They fall in love when they understand the stories."

Notable Moments

[00:00:55] Why Allison started a podcast about Indiana State Parks
[00:02:32] Discovering a love for the outdoors later in life
[00:03:17] How the podcast gained support from Indiana State Parks
[00:06:27] Finding stories inside each park
[00:08:02] Why interpretive naturalists are powerful storytellers
[00:14:00] Rediscovering familiar parks through curiosity
[00:18:22] The role of hospitality in Indiana State Parks
[00:24:51] Advice for civilians who want to have an impact on parks

Allison Martin, an English teacher from Indiana and host of In the Parks, shares how storytelling can deepen connections to state parks. She discusses creating a podcast without prior experience, working with park staff, highlighting interpretive naturalists, and how civilians can meaningfully support parks through curiosity, volunteering, and visitation.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

IN the Parks Podcast website

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www.parkleaders.com

https://parkleaders.com/about/

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

"Parks are about relationships. With your team, your communities, your partners. That's what sustains leadership over time."

Notable Moments

00:01:03 – Lisa shares her unconventional path into parks leadership

00:05:38 – Why relationships are the key to long-term success as a director

00:09:03 – The value of national peer networks for park leaders

00:13:18 – How visitor behavior has changed since the pandemic

00:15:12 – Adapting parks without losing their purpose

00:24:02 – Leading through budget shortfalls with transparency

00:29:18 – What Oregon State Parks does better than anyone else

00:30:33 – Advice for emerging park leaders

In this episode, Jody Maberry talks with Lisa Sumption, Director of Oregon State Parks, about long-term leadership, teamwork, and navigating change in modern park systems. Strong park systems aren't built on policies alone. They're built on trust, teamwork, and relationships that last. Leadership rooted in people, not ego, makes all the difference.

www.parkleaders.com

https://parkleaders.com/about/

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