"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.

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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.

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IN the Parks Podcast website

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

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/INtheparksonline

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"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.

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"When people see fire only as destruction, we miss the opportunity to understand it and to prepare for what's coming next."

Notable Moments

[00:01:19] Using photography to educate the public

[00:02:50] Recognizing public land employees as serving the country

[00:07:23] First experience photographing wildfire at night

[00:10:29] Importance of wildfire training for media

[00:16:14] Benefits of documenting fires from inside incidents

[00:29:56] Why media access on public land matters

[00:39:23] How wildfire scale has changed over a decade

[00:44:56] Advice for making an impact as a park leader

As wildfires grow in scale and impact, understanding becomes a form of preparedness. In parks and conservation this sometimes means letting people see what's really happening, even when it's uncomfortable. Stuart Palley has spent more than a decade documenting wildfires across public and urban lands. Our conversation explores how media can educate the public when done responsibly, the importance of safety training for photographers, and why transparency on public land fires matters.

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Connect with Stuart Palley

Order Into the Inferno: A Photographer's Journey Through California's Mega Fires

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"Sometimes one experience is all it takes to awaken a new passion."

Notable Moments

[00:02] Chris shares his outdoor roots in New Zealand and Australia

[00:02:19] How Impact Destinations blends travel and philanthropy

[00:03:32] Rhino relocation as a once-in-a-lifetime conservation experience

[00:04:29] Identifying endangered species and forming partnerships

[00:06:34] The start of Hands Up Holidays and early volunteer work

[00:09:44] Why Chris shifted from volunteering to philanthropy

[00:11:37] Conservation efforts in Costa Rica and Chile

[00:16:52] A traveler inspired to support multiple conservation projects

[00:18:41] Advice for people who want to make an impact

Christopher Hill shares how Impact Destinations connects travelers with wildlife conservation projects through philanthropy. He explains how this model supports experts on the ground while giving travelers rare behind-the-scenes experiences such as rhino relocation, orangutan rescue, shark conservation, and more. He also discusses how these experiences often spark long-term commitment to conservation and offers advice for people who want to make an impact.

Read the blog for more from this episode.

Connect with Christopher

https://impactdestinations.com/

Resources

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"The more we can let people know, the better it is for the wolves, the better it is for our conservation efforts."

Notable Moments

[00:02:29] How Monica discovered the Wolf Conservation Center
[00:03:30] Understanding endangered wolf subspecies and conservation efforts
[00:04:18] Role of pup-nanny caretakers
[00:05:50] Rare wolf sightings and population challenges
[00:08:14] How public education connects people to conservation
[00:12:55] The miracle wolf pup, Trumpet, and her powerful genetic story
[00:15:41] Turning a single idea into a multi-book series
[00:19:25] Taking action instead of stopping at curiosity
[00:21:39] Ways anyone can support conservation efforts

Author and Wolf Conservation Center volunteer Monica Stahlman joins the show to share the remarkable real-life story behind Trumpet, the miracle Mexican gray wolf pup. Monica discusses her path from volunteer to children's book author, the critical work of wolf recovery programs, and the many ways people can support conservation from wherever they are.

Connect with Monica Stahlman

https://brileybaxterbooks.com/author-leokadia-george/

Wold Conservation Center

Resources

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

03:20 – How a riverfront festival connected thousands to conservation.

04:38 – Leadership through the lens of ecology explained.

07:32 – What workshops reveal when taken outdoors.

09:12 – The podcast's evolution from Outdoor Executive Dad to Parks and Restoration.

16:25 – Highlights from the "Next Level Leadership" episode.

18:30 – The mindset shift from hustle to balance.

20:25 – Moving from "it's about you" to "it's about your team."

21:26 – Topics coming soon to Parks and Restoration.

24:34 – Why more park leadership podcasts help the entire industry.

25:15 – Where to find Chris Lee and his work.

Jody reconnects with Chris Lee, Executive Director of Des Moines County Conservation and co-host of the Parks and Restoration podcast. They explore the evolution of Chris's show, the role of ecological concepts in leadership, and the importance of collaboration in conservation work. The conversation highlights major mindset shifts for leaders, the value of co-hosting, and upcoming themes Chris plans to explore as he approaches episode 100.

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Chrisleeventures.com

Parks and Restoration Podcast

Parks and Restoration Episode 78

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"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

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