“Disruptive innovation in parks rarely starts big. It’s often the small changes that reshape how people connect with the outdoors.”

Episode Highlights

00:42 How a small cooler forever changed camping and visitation.

05:23 – RVs and modern camping units disrupt campgrounds built in the 1930s.

09:13 – Digital platforms can drive unexpected visitor surges.

10:52 –Reshaping reservation systems and campsite use.

14:44 – Why leaders must act, not react when disruptive innovations emerge.

15:50 – QR codes, drones, and geocaching are examples of disruptive tech in action.

21:37 – Monitoring trends to keep parks relevant.

25:34 – Shifting demographics and expectations require adaptation, not resistance.

27:35 – Small steps of change often matter more than sweeping cultural shifts.

Disruptive innovations don’t always arive with fanfare. In fact, they tend to be more subtle. In parks its the seemingly small coolers, gadgets, or trends that change everything. This conversation explores how small shifts reshape recreation, why leaders must act rather than react, and how to spot the next disruption before it takes hold.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Resources

www.parkleaders.com

https://parkleaders.com/about/

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

“Fear often comes from not knowing. Once you take time to learn, fear can turn into respect.”

Notable Moments

[00:02:22] Doug shares his curiosity-driven adventures in Mexico and Russia.

[00:05:00] The challenge of endless progress on a finite planet.

[00:07:18] Why wilderness is essential for grizzlies and for us.

[00:09:34] Tracking wildlife movement near highway corridors.

[00:18:55] The lasting influence of The Monkey Wrench Gang.

[00:28:02] How our treatment of bears reflects how we see ourselves.

[00:29:08] A family’s shift from fear of grizzlies to awe and respect.

[00:31:10] The need for united action to defend wilderness and parks.

Conservationist and author Doug Peacock returns to share stories from a lifetime spent in wilderness. From grizzlies in Yellowstone to tigers in Russia, Doug reflects on the threats facing wild places and the fight to protect them. He offers hard truths, hopeful lessons, and a reminder that humility is at the heart of conservation.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

More from Doug Peacock

Books by Doug Peacock

Order the book Was It Worth It? A Wilderness Warrior’s Long Trail Home

Order the book Grizzly Years

Order the book The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey, 25th anniversary edition with introduction by Doug Peacock

Resources

www.parkleaders.com

https://parkleaders.com/about/

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

"Sometimes steady leadership, or keeping the park on course, is the most important thing we can offer."

Notable Moments

[00:01:00] Jon’s work with the Parks Institute at UC Berkeley

[00:02:20] International consulting and training park managers abroad

[00:04:15] Encouragement for park leaders during uncertain times

[00:08:30] Lessons from history and why tough times lead to renewal

[00:13:28] The balance between risk-taking and steady leadership

[00:17:40] Revisiting the idea of a standalone National Park Service

[00:21:54] Jon’s vision for the future of national parks

[00:28:53] Reforming concessions and improving visitor experience

[00:30:39] Lessons from international park systems

[00:33:27] The role of parks in healing and uniting a divided nation

Former National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis joins Jody Maberry to share insights on the challenges and future of national parks. They discuss lessons from history, the importance of steady leadership, and how partnerships, Indigenous relationships, and global perspectives shape the path ahead. Jon offers encouragement to current park leaders navigating uncertain times while painting a vision of resilience and renewal for the future.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

www.parkleaders.com

https://parkleaders.com/about/

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