ASSPD - Agenda | Department Of Natural Resources Division

About Agenda Sponsorships Presentations

October 2021

Sunday 24th

1:00PM-4:00PM - Conference Registration & Lodge Room Check-In: ASSPD Registration & Check-In

Register for the conference at the Conference Business Center. Lodge room check-in at the Resort Front Desk.
4:30PM-6:00PM - Reception & Appetizers: Reception & Appetizers

Reception & heavy appetizers with music at Sunset Pavilion.
6:00PM - Dinner on Your Own: Dinner on Your Own

Dine at Brasstown Valley Resort Dining Room or Brassies Grill or in the surrounding area. Late registration will be available from 6:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Conference Business Center.
8:00PM - 12:00PM - Hospitality: Hospitality

Hospitality at the Creekside Pavilion

Monday 25th Growing Resilient Rangers

7:00AM-8:00AM - Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast provided in dining room.

7:30AM-11:00AM - Late Arrival Registration

Late Arrival Registration

Late Arrival Registration at the Conference Business Center.

8:00AM - Welcoming meeting in the Grand Ballroom

Jeff Cown, Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

Director

Over the past two years, Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites has focused on its employees and facilities to help us further our service to park visitors. This focus would prove to be critical to navigate the pandemic. During this conference we will share how we have grown resilient rangers and the lessons learned through this self-evaluation process.

8:30AM - Planting the Seed: Georgia Outdoor Career Experience

Taylor Brown, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Chief of Grants

Chief of Grants Taylor Brown will explain an innovative program where juniors and seniors learn the skills needed to become a park ranger.

9:00AM - Partnering to Harvest the Next Generation of Park Rangers

Dr. Gary T. Green, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources

Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs & Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor

The Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Division has partnered with the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources to develop a new generation of park rangers. Dr. Gary Green will discuss this unique collaboration that allows his students interested in a career in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management to connect, interact, and network with Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites staff. Our staff share their expertise by serving as subject matter experts, hosting Maymester park field trips and playing a significant role in shaping Warnell’s new course “PRTM 4400/6400 Park Management.”

9:30AM - Nurturing Talent: The Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites Manager in Training Program

Angie Johnson, Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

Chief of Operations

Recruiting and cultivating new park rangers is a challenge for all park systems. In October 2018, Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites retooled an outmoded MIT program into a highly successful professional training opportunity for four full time ranger level positions managed from the Parks Headquarters level. Chief of Operations Angie Johnson will share how this program prepares recently graduated individuals with the experience needed to be successful Assistant Park Managers.

9:45AM - Forming the Foundation: Georgia Park Ranger Academy

Donald Forgione, Tailgate Talks

Founder

Growing Resilient Rangers requires retention as much as recruitment. Georgia Parks and Historic Sites provides “real world” training to career track employees. Donald Forgione of Tailgate Talks will showcase how he recently evaluated the Georgia State Park Ranger Fundamentals class and provided input to help create the new and improved Georgia Park Ranger Academy.

10:15AM - Break

Break

Use this break time to gather any extra gear from your room for the afternoon field trips.

10:30AM - Interaction Management, Servant Leadership and Customer Service

Matt Bruner, Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

Region 5 Manager

Interaction Management has been around for decades, but Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites is offering a different perspective on the process with a new level of commitment. Region Manager Matt Bruner will discuss how these expanded lessons of three classes with two phases are now cultivating the mindset of servant leadership from our DNR Leadership Academy down to the manager level. These classes, along with the Customer Service Training Initiative and 'We Serve' motto, has developed a sense of pride and purpose when interacting with park staff and guests.

11:00AM - Session Wrap Up

Session Wrap Up

Chief Naturalist Valarie Ikhwan will offer options and instructions for the afternoon field trips.

11:15AM - Board Buses for either Vogel State Park or Brasstown Bald Recreation Area

Travel to Vogel or Brasstown Bald

Meet buses in front of Brasstown Valley Resort.

Drive time: 30-minutes, one way.

Attendees may stay at Brasstown Valley Resort. Feel free to relax in your room, play a round of golf, go to the spa, or hike on the 9.2 miles of wilderness trails around the resort. To set up a tee time or spa session, fees will apply and reservations should be made directly with the resort.

11:45AM - 12:30PM Lunch at Brasstown Bald or Vogel State Park

Box lunch from Chic-fil-a

12:30PM - Activities

Attendees will choose to visit either Vogel State Park or Brasstown Bald Recreation Area.

View Vogel Activities

View Brasstown Bald Recreation Area Activities

Vogel State Park Activities

“Nestled in the heart of the Chattahoochee National Forest, Vogel State Park, one of Georgia’s oldest parks and favorite destinations, shares a timeless connection with its Civilian Conservation Corps builders by offering hiking, swimming, fishing and enjoying family time in a diverse mountain landscape.”

Vogel State Park, established in 1931, is the second oldest state park in Georgia. Located at 2500 feet above sea level, Vogel sits at the base of Blood Mountain, the highest summit on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, and is surrounded by Chattahoochee National Forest. The North Georgia Mountains around Vogel were linked to Native American people for generations before European settlement.

Vogel State Park

Jack Becker, Park Manager will welcome you to Vogel State Park with a brief park overview and afternoon activities:

17-miles of trails to hike on your own
Boating on 22-Acre Lake Trahlyta: enjoy paddling a kayak, canoe or paddle boats based on first-come, first-serve availability. Please don't forget sunscreen, water shoes and insect repellent.
CCC Museum Tour
CCC Cottages Tour
Campground Tour
Trahlyta Falls - Ranger stationed at falls
Miniature Golf
Vogel Visitor Center & Gift Shop Tour

Vans will run in a loop to access different activities and parts of the park.

Busses will depart at 4:00 PM for Brasstown Valley Resort

Brasstown Bald Recreation Area

Owned by the US Forest Service, and located within the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests, the Brasstown Bald Recreation Area & Visitor Center is the highest point in Georgia, rising 4,784 feet above sea level. Find out how the USFS and the non-profit FIND Outdoors work together to run this facility. Just a short drive from Blairsville, Hiawassee, and Helen, Brasstown Bald is a perfect way to spend a morning or afternoon.

Brasstown Bald Recreation Area

Busses will depart at 3PM for Brasstown Valley Resort

3:00PM - Brasstown Bald Group Board Buses for Brasstown Valley Resort

Board Buses for Brasstown Valley Resort

Busses will depart Brasstown Bald Recreation Area. Meet buses in the parking lots.
Drive time: 30-minutes, one way.

4:00PM - Vogel Group Board Buses for Brasstown Valley Resort

Board Buses for Brasstown Valley Resort

Busses will depart Vogel State Park. Meet buses in the parking lots.
Drive time: 30-minutes, one way.

6:00PM - Reception, Brasstown Valley Resort Lobby

Reception, Brasstown Valley Resort Lobby

Enjoy a reception before dinner in the lobby of Brasstown Valley Resort.

7:00PM - Dinner at Brasstown Valley Resort

Dinner at Brasstown Valley Resort

Dine at Brasstown Valley Resort Dining Room.

8:00PM - 12:00PM - Hospitality

Hospitality

Hospitality at the Creekside Pavilion.

Tuesday 26th - Growing Resilient Rangers: Staff Development

7:00AM-8:00AM - Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast provided in dining room.

8:00AM - Welcome and Session: Seeding Tomorrow’s Leadership Today

Artica Gaston, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Director of Administrative Services

Discussion of Georgia Department of Natural Resources Leadership Academy designed to teach leadership skills (servant leadership and adaptive leadership), build organizational knowledge, and improve intra-departmental cooperation.

8:30AM - The Rising Crop: State Park Leadership School and Professional Development

Lewis Ledford, National Association of State Park Directors

Executive Director

Founded in 2007, the State Park Leadership School was formed with hopes to fill a void that was trending due to the baby boomer generation of state park employees approaching retirement. Assistant Park Managers, as well as people coming in from other industries, were in need of professional development in order to step into park manager and other leadership positions. Learn how this program can tie into any state’s training program offerings.

9:00AM - Flourishing in the Now: Workplace Dynamics

Grady Spann, Arkansas State Parks

Director

While technical skills have always been recognized as important for workplace success, the past years have seen an increasing recognition of the importance of interpersonal skills. From working effectively with colleagues to leading others, the ability to understand, empathize, and communicate with others is a key skillset for workplace effectiveness and job satisfaction.

9:30AM - Break

Break

9:45AM - The Budding Future: Succession Planning

Phil Gaines, Clemson University

Professor

Succession planning is a strategy for passing on leadership roles that ensures that programs and business continue to run smoothly after a company's most important people move on to new opportunities or retire. Previously the Director of South Carolina State Parks for 12 years, Professor of Practice Phil Gaines will provide insight on the importance of developing a strategy - and when to start the process- for identifying and growing future leaders at your agency at all levels.

10:15AM - Conclusion of Sessions: Staff Development Sessions

Donald Forgione, Tailgate Talks

Founder

From leadership academies, through the dynamics in our current workplaces, and our commitment to quality succession planning of servant leadership we can take from these sessions acorns of knowledge to help grow the strong oaks of our collective park systems’ futures.

11:15AM - Lunch, Brasstown Valley Resort Dining Room

Lunch at Resort

Dine at Brasstown Valley Resort.

12:30PM - 4:00PM Directors: Trip to Black Rock Mountain

Directors: Trip to Black Rock Mountain

Directors only depart Brasstown for Black Rock Mountain. Meet shuttle vans in front of The Resort.
Drive time: 1-hour, one way.

"Revel in the diverse eco-systems along rugged terrain or breathe fresh air from mountain top vistas overlooking pristine Appalachian forests at Black Rock Mountain, uniquely positioned on the Eastern Continental Divide and reaching altitudes of 3,640 feet as the highest State Park in Georgia."

Georgia's highest state park encompasses some of the most outstanding scenery in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Roadside overlooks provide spectacular 80-mile vistas, and four hiking trails lead visitors past wildflowers, streams, small waterfalls and lush forests. Visitors enjoy the summit visitor center for its views, gift shop and picnic tables.

Black Rock Mountain State Park

1:30 PM: Welcome to Black Rock Mountain

Jessica James-Weems, Park Manager welcomes you to Black Rock Mountain State Park with a brief park overview. Following the welcome, the Directors will pose for a group photo at the overlook atop the highest state park in Georgia. The group will then be shuttled to the Mellinger Center to have the annual Director’s Meeting.

4:00 PM: Depart Black Rock Mountain

12:30PM - All Other Attendees: Buses Depart for Afternoon Activities

All Other Attendees: Buses Depart for Afternoon Activities

Meet buses at 12:30 in front of Brasstown Valley Resort to leave for Tallulah Gorge or Moccasin Creek.

Conference attendees may also stay at Brasstown Valley Resort and relax in their room or enjoy the activities on site. To set up a tee time or spa session, fees will apply and reservations should be made directly with the resort. Vans will be available to shuttle you to dinner at Hawg Wild BBQ at 4:00 PM

1:30PM - All Other Attendees: Arrive at Tallulah Gorge State Park or Moccasin Creek State Park

Attendees will choose to visit either Tallulah Gorge State Park or Moccasin Creek State Park.

View Tallulah Gorge description and activities

View Moccasin Creek description and activities

Tallulah Gorge State Park

"Immerse yourself in awe-inspiring beauty or daring adventures with a glimpse into the past at Tallulah Gorge State Park, where the Tallulah River flows through rugged terrain to carve a complex 1,000-foot geologic formation and five spectacular waterfalls which provide habitat for many unique species."

One of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S., Tallulah Gorge is two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep. Visitors can hike rim trails to several overlooks, or they can obtain a permit to hike to the gorge floor (100 per day, not available during water releases). A suspension bridge sways 80 feet above the rocky bottom, providing spectacular views of the river and waterfalls. Tightrope walkers have twice crossed the gorge, and visitors can still see towers used by Karl Wallenda. A paved path follows an on old railroad bed, perfect for strollers and bicycles, while mountain bikers can test their skills on a challenging 10-mile trail. Exhibits in the park’s Jane Hurt Yarn Interpretive Center highlight the rich history of this Victorian resort town, as well as the rugged terrain and fragile ecosystem of the area. The persistent trillium, monkey-face orchid and green salamander are protected species found within the gorge.

Jennifer Jones, Park Manager welcomes you to Tallulah Gorge State Park with a brief park overview. Following the welcome, attendees will split into groups to tour the interpretive center and join in a guided hike to view waterfalls from overlooks and walk down to the suspension bridge that spans across the Gorge.

Tallulah Gorge State Park

Moccasin Creek State Park and Burton Trout Hatchery

Sitting on the shores of the 2,800 acre Lake Burton, Moccasin Creek is a popular spot for RV camping. Follow a Georgia State Park Ranger and hike 3 miles round trip to Hemlock Falls. Visitors will also have the chance to observe and tour the newly built Lake Burton Trout Hatchery. The hatchery supports stocking efforts in local Georgia trout streams.

Moccasin Creek State Park

4:00PM - Directors: Board Shuttle Vans for Dinner at Hawg Wild BBQ and Catfish House, Hiawassee Georgia

Directors: Board Shuttle Vans

Depart Black Rock Mountain for dinner and reception. Meet shuttle vans in the parking lot.
Drive time: 55-minutes, one way.

Hawg Wild BBQ and Catfish House

4:00PM - All other attendees: Board Buses for Dinner at Hawg Wild BBQ and Catfish House, Hiawassee Georgia

All other attendees: Board Buses

Depart Tallulah Gorge and Moccasin Creek for dinner and reception. Meet buses in the parking lot.
Drive time: 50-minutes, one way.

Hawg Wild BBQ and Catfish House

5:00PM - Directors and Attendees: Reception and Dinner, Hawg Wild BBQ and Catfish House, Hiawassee Georgia

Directors and Attendees: Reception and Dinner

Upon arrival we will have a Group Photo followed by a catered dinner and reception featuring live music (vegan options will be available).

7:30PM - Directors and Attendees: Board Vans and Buses to Travel to Brasstown Valley Resort

Directors and Attendees: Board Vans and Buses

Drive time: 10-minutes, one way.

8:00PM - 12:00PM - Hospitality

Hospitality

Hospitality at the Creekside Pavilion.

Wednesday 27th - Growing Resilient Rangers: Protecting relationships while forging new ones

7:00AM-8:00AM - Breakfast

Breakfast

Breakfast provided in dining room.

8:00AM - Welcome, Housekeeping, and Introduce Speaker and Breakout sessions

Valarie Ikhwan Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

Chief Naturalist

Valarie Ikhwan introduces the final full day of ASSPD.

8:15AM - Resilience

Aimee Copeland, The Aimee Copeland Foundation

Executive Director

After a zip lining accident in 2012, Aimee Copeland developed a flesh-eating bacteria that would eventually lead doctors to have to amputate her left leg, right foot, and both hands to save her life. Now, she is the founder of the Aimee Copeland Foundation and is working with Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites to bring all terrain wheel chairs to the parks.

9:05AM Break

Break

Chief Naturalist Valarie Ikhwan will introduce the breakout session topics, followed by a short break

9:15AM - Hot Topic Breakout Sessions

Hot Topic Breakout Sessions

We will have round table discussions to talk about these hot topics:

Financial Sustainability
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access
Carrying Capacity Management (impact on resource)
Developing Senior Staff (cohesive team)
New Park visitors from Covid (how do we keep them?)

10:15AM Break

Break

10:30AM - Final thoughts from Director Jeff Cown

Jeff Cown Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites

Director

Director Jeff Cown gives a conference summary and thanks to attendees.

11:00AM - Boxed Lunch

Boxed Lunch

Boxed lunch provided to attendees.

11:30AM-5:00PM - Afternoon Activities

Afternoon Activities

Brasstown Activities:

Golf - $50 club rentals available
Horseback Riding - 1 hour and 2 hour rides available
Spa - attendees will designate which services they would like when registering for the conference.

Off Site Activities:

Crane Creek Winery Tour
Mountain Bike Trip NC - Bike rentals available
Guided Hike of Blood Mountain

6:00PM - Reception, Ballroom

Reception, Ballroom

Reception in the Brasstown Valley Resort Ballroom.

6:30PM - Banquet, Ballroom

Banquet, Ballroom

Enjoy a banquet provided by Brasstown Valley Resort.

7:00PM - Keynote Speaker: Dr. Fran P. Mainella

Keynote Dr. Fran P. Mainella

Dr Fran Mainella is a Visiting Scholar at Clemson University Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. She is also President of Fran Mainella Consulting,LLC. Previously, Director Mainella served nearly six years as the 16th Director and the first woman to lead the National Park Service. Fran served twelve years as Director of Florida’s State Parks, which received the Gold Medal Award, recognizing Florida as the best state park system in the country. She has also served as executive director of the Florida Recreation and Park Association and as president of both the National Recreation and Park Association and the National Association of State Park Directors.

In 2017, Fran was presented the Marquis “Who’s Who Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award” for her achieved career longevity and unwavering excellence. Clemson University also has named an award in her honor, encouraging women to pursue conservation careers. The American Recreation Coalition also presented her with the Sheldon Coleman Great Outdoors Award. She has received the William Penn Mott, Jr. Award for Excellence by the NSPR and she is one of the few that have been a two-time winner of the Pugsley Award, the highest award given by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration. She has also been selected as the Metcalf Lecturer for SUNY- Cortland, the first ever Ralph Steele Lecturer for East Carolina University, and the Calhoun Lecturer for Clemson University. For four consecutive years, the Clemson University Board of Trustees presented her with an award for faculty excellence. In addition, Mainella received the Outstanding Alumni of the Year from the University of Connecticut School of Education. Additionally, she has written many articles and book publications including the introduction to National Geographic’s 10 Best of Everything National Parks and an acknowledgement to Richard Louv’s new book: The Nature Principle.

Fran is currently the West Coast Committee Chair of the Alliance for Florida National Parks; Consultant to Guest Services Inc; Member of the Children and Nature Network Board of Trustees; Chair Emeritus of the US Play Coalition; Member of the Clemson Institute for Parks; Fellow of the American Academy of Park and Recreation Administrators; Member of the Foundation for Sustainable Parks and Recreation; and a national speaker on Women in Leadership, Nature Deficit Disorder, Play, and Parks and Recreation.

Director Mainella holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut, a master’s degree, and an honorary doctorate from Central Connecticut State College.

8:30PM - 12:00PM - Hospitality