Shows
Park Leaders ShowStories From the 1979 Alaska Ranger Task Force"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...
2026-01-2757 min
Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Podcast & Blast with Hal HerringThe Future of OUR Public Lands with Walt DabneyEverything you will ever need to know to win any argument about the future of our American public lands--special and crucial episode with Walt Dabney. Understanding the background and history of our public lands is critical to safeguarding them for the future. Texas-born Walt Dabney started his National Park Service career in Yellowstone in 1969, worked as a ranger from the Everglades to Alaska, and was the Superintendent of the National Parks in Southeast Utah from 1991-99, completing a 30-year Parks Service career. Then he served as the Director of State Parks for the Texas Parks...
2025-06-031h 48Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Podcast & Blast with Hal HerringThe Future of OUR Public Lands with Walt DabneyEverything you will ever need to know to win any argument about the future of our American public lands--special and crucial episode with Walt Dabney. Understanding the background and history of our public lands is critical to safeguarding them for the future. Texas-born Walt Dabney started his National Park Service career in Yellowstone in 1969, worked as a ranger from the Everglades to Alaska, and was the Superintendent of the National Parks in Southeast Utah from 1991-99, completing a 30-year Parks Service career. Then he served as the Director of State Parks for the Texas Parks...
2025-06-031h 48
National Parks Traveler PodcastNational Parks Traveler Podcast | Walt Dabney and Public LandsIt's fair to say that the nation's public lands, those managed by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land-management agencies are at risk under the Trump administration. There's no hyperbole in that statement if you pay attention to what the administration already has done in terms of downsizing those agencies' workforces, and when you listen to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum say he wants to open more public lands to energy development and mining. Federal lands in the United States are owned by all Americans...
2025-05-0456 min
Listening to AmericaThe Future of the Public LandsClay's interview with Walt Dabney, who worked for over 30 years in the National Park System, including serving as America's Chief Ranger for five and a half years in Washington, D.C. Mr. Dabney is lecturing around the country about the threat to public lands from those who would return them to the states or privatize them altogether. Mr. Dabney refutes three myths about public lands: first, that the U.S. Government has no right to own property; second, that the U.S. Government retains public domain for nefarious reasons; and third, that individual states were promised at the time...
2025-04-1552 min
National Wildlife Federation OutdoorsParks, Purpose & Public Lands with Walt DabneyIn this powerful episode, we sit down with Walt Dabney, a true public lands champion and a neighbor to Aaron in Buena Vista, Colorado. Walt's incredible 43-year career with the National Park Service, spanning iconic locations like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the vast wilderness of Alaska, and his subsequent leadership as Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife, offers unparalleled insight into the value and the current threats facing these vital resources.The conversation takes a critical turn as we delve into the most pressing issue facing our public lands today: the significant loss of experienced...
2025-04-071h 05
Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and InterpretersWalt Dabney, Former NPS Superintendent, Talks Story with Bill Gwaltney and Tim MerrimanImmerse yourself in an enlightening conversation with Walt Dabney, a distinguished former National Park Service Superintendent, NPS Chief Ranger, and ex-Director of Texas State Parks. Walt's illustrious career spans decades, marked by his significant contributions to both our cherished National Parks and the Texas State Parks system.
Early in his tenure with the NPS, Walt was entrusted with the unique role of accompanying Freeman Tilden, fondly known as "The Father of Interpretation," as his host, driver, guide, and "adjutant" for a year. This transformative experience saw them journey across the National Park System, engaging in p...
2024-12-2752 minReflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and InterpretersWalt Dabney, Former NPS Superintendent, Talks Story with Bill Gwaltney and Tim MerrimanImmerse yourself in an enlightening conversation with Walt Dabney, a distinguished former National Park Service Superintendent, NPS Chief Ranger, and ex-Director of Texas State Parks. Walt's illustrious career spans decades, marked by his significant contributions to both our cherished National Parks and the Texas State Parks system.
Early in his tenure with the NPS, Walt was entrusted with the unique role of accompanying Freeman Tilden, fondly known as "The Father of Interpretation," as his host, driver, guide, and "adjutant" for a year. This transformative experience saw them journey across the National Park System, engaging in p...
2024-12-2752 minPark Leaders ShowThe History of Public Lands"After 43 years of doing this, some things didn't sound accurate to me. So I started researching this in in order to to put together a program to go out and really explain what the history of these places are and what is fact and what is fiction." When was the last time you thought about the history behind our public lands? It's more intricate than many realize. One person that knows that is a veteran leader in the world of parks, Walt Dabney. Walt joined us fresh from the 47th annual Ranger Rendezvous. This event...
2024-12-1039 min
In the Front RowBe Ready to Make a DifferenceWalt Dabney - retired Chief Ranger of the National Park Service
2024-12-0701 minPark Leaders ShowInterpreting Freeman Tilden"Does it really make any difference if you do believe something, but are at the same time intolerant of someone who does not agree or concur in your beliefs?" Key Moments 01:27 Meeting Freeman Tilden. 09:42 Starting a Career with Park Service at age 58. 11:54 Freeman Reevaluates National Park Service Principles and Writes "Interpreting Our Heritage" at age 71 14:59 Aiming for Visitor Engagement, Not Just Facts .17:00 Becaming a Team for National Park Service 22:58 Lasting Impact of 47 years of Documented Experiences. 26:06 Focusing on Environment, Change, and Tolerance. ...
2024-07-0235 minPark Leaders ShowLeadership is a Choice"Go sit on a rock in your favorite spot somewhere and do a very serious self-assessment. What am I good at? What am I not good at? What do I like to do? What do I don't like to do? And if you don't want to be out there in the lead, if you don't want to be out there taking some risk, if you don't want to get up in front of audiences, don't put yourself in that position." Key Moments 01:45 Starting a Career in Parks and Recreation 06:37 Ranger Experience in Yosemite
2024-03-1928 min
In the Front RowTurn Opportunities Into AdventuresWalt Dabney - retired Director of Texas State Parks
2024-03-1404 min
Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonGreg Mullavey Live On Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonSome dreams really do come true. It may take 40+ years, but SO WHAT?!? Greg Mullavey, Greg Mullavey was worth the wait. A die-hard Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman fan, who missed nary a one of the 325 episodes, which in 1977, pre VCRs, and COVID, when I actually had a life and did stuff, required some effort and diehard devotion, spent today in fangirl heaven. Best part, Greg exceeded all of my very high expectations. Having heard how lovely he is, witnessing his grace first hand, his exemplary social conscience, his authenticity, warmth, thoughtfulness, intelligence, off-the-charts talent, and generosity of spirit moved me… mo...
2021-08-191h 43
KZMU Public AffairsThis Week in Moab - Walt Dabney on the History of America's Public LandsOn the latest The Week in Moab, a discussion and with Walt Dabney on the history of public lands in America. Dabney is the former Superintendent of the Southeast Utah Group of the National Parks and former director of Texas State Parks. He gives an overview of the concept of public and private lands in America, how this dynamic has shaped nationwide policy, and the historical issues that are informing our current challenges. Host is Howard Trenholme. Tune in.
2021-05-1456 min
Game Changers With Vicki AbelsonRandy Coleman Live On Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 10:28:20How lucky I was to have happened upon Randy Coleman by chance. He's quickly become one of my favorite singer/songwriters, and people.
We talked COVID, finding the good in the midst of it... spiritual practices, starting a book club, going Live, working on a new album, and gracing us with a taste of one of the tracks, St. Theresa (In My Lover's Eyes). Loved it.
From Randy's beginnings, growing up in a house filled with music, his older sister, a child prodigy, who had an old guitar, going on the set of 9 to 5 and On Golden Pond, with his...
2020-10-291h 32