NACPRO News

April 11, 2023

Seeking Information on Forager Trails

Ingham County Parks Department (MI) has been approached by an individual who is looking for support to create a forager trail and park with edible plants, such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and fruit trees, etc.  Read the Proposal

He has been given three places along the trail in the City of Lansing to start planting this spring, and currently has the endorsement from the City of Lansing, Allen Street Community Center, and Friends of the Lansing Regional Trails (FLRT). He is also seeking the endorsement of the Ingham County Park Commission at our next meeting on April 10th.

Please contact me if you have developed a similar resource in your department. 

Nicole Wallace, CTA 
Ingham County Parks Department
517-244-7195
[email protected]

Got an issue you need advice on? 

Tap into  our collective experience.  Send your question and some background to the editor and we will include it in the next NACPRO News. 

State and County Census Observations
Courtesy of Route 50

Latest population figures from counties nationwide, reflecting a return to pre-pandemic figures in some of the most populous counties following an exodus in 2021. The population rise is largely owing to immigration, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Vintage 2022 estimates of population If it weren’t for international migration, many of the largest counties wouldn’t have seen population increases. Some are still losing residents to suburbs, exurbs and other regions of the country like the Sunbelt.

Read more:
https://link.route-fifty.com/view/612316afc526d024823c5eb2igyuf.7c8/fc9d3680

Rec and Tech: The Use Case for Artificial Intelligence in Parks and Recreation
Courtesy of NRPA

By Joe Pitti 

On my way home from work one day I was listening to a podcast. The topic was how this new technology was revolutionary and would change the world. The conversation was interesting enough that I didn’t turn it off. It beat the sound of honking in Greater Boston traffic. But through the sound of road rage, there was part of the conversation that stood out to me. The speaker referenced this technology and said, “…With this, everyone gains a teammate, an infinitely patient intern”.

Read more:
https://www.nrpa.org/blog/rec-and-tech-the-use-case-for-artificial-intelligence-in-parks-and-recreation/

An Initiative to Fawn Over: Funding for Wildlife Crossings Now Available
Courtesy of Route 50

By Molly Bolan 

Every year, more than a million vehicles collide with wildlife, resulting in hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries for drivers and animals alike. Now, nearly $112 million in federal funding is available to cities and states looking to prevent collisions by building routes that help animals safely cross highways. 

Applications for this first round of funding are due August 1. Over the next five years, a total of $350 million dollars will be released under the program, which was established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 

Read more:
https://www.route-fifty.com/infrastructure/2023/04/initiative-fawn-over-funding-wildlife-crossings-now-available/384917/

Would more parks and trees help L.A. County residents live longer?
Courtesy of UCLA

By Elizabeth Kivowitz

CALIFORNIA - Improving tree coverage and access to parks and green spaces in Los Angeles County, particularly in lower-income communities of color, could significantly boost life expectancy for local residents, according to a new study by UCLA public health researchers and colleagues.

Their study, published in the peer-reviewed, open-access journal Environment International, is the first in the U.S to combine life expectancy data at the census tract level with data on parks, trees and overall neighborhood vegetation.

Read more:
https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/more-parks-and-trees-could-mean-greater-longevity

Remaining Relevant
Courtesy of Parks and Recreation Business

By John Dzarnowski

To remain relevant and attract visitors, municipal aquatic centers must make upgrades and add interest despite the challenges presented by budget constraints and the fluctuations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of forced closures of facilities, many aquatic leaders lost revenue, and funding for programs was cut, although some cities have managed to pass referenda during that time to start projects. The majority of these projects are upgrades to refurbish older facilities by adding to or renovating the existing infrastructure to align with current trends. Such projects are a real challenge and offer unique opportunities for leaders to optimize facilities. Here’s how.

Read more:
https://www.parksandrecbusiness.com/articles/remaining-relevant

Executive order to close DeKalb County park due to ‘dangerous traps’ 
Courtesy of the Champion Newspaper

By Christine Fonville 

GEORGIA - A public park in unincorporated DeKalb County will be closed until further notice due to “potentially dangerous contraptions and traps” discovered by law enforcement that could be harmful or deadly to people and pets, according to DeKalb County officials.

DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond made the announcement at a news conference held March 24 during which he warned “all DeKalb County residents and others who come to our county to avoid the Intrenchment Creek area.”

Background on this issue:
https://atlanta.urbanize.city/post/cop-city-forest-defenders-mayor-vows-protect-forest-police-fire-complex

Hawaii's lawmakers mull imposing fees to pay for ecotourism crush
Courtesy of NPR

By The Associated Press

Taking care of Hawaii's unique natural environment takes time, people and money. Now Hawaii wants tourists to help pay for it, especially because growing numbers are traveling to the islands to enjoy the beauty of its outdoors — including some lured by dramatic vistas they've seen on social media.

"All I want to do, honestly, is to make travelers accountable and have the capacity to help pay for the impact that they have," Democratic Gov. Josh Green said earlier this year. "We get between nine and 10 million visitors a year (but) we only have 1.4 million people living here. Those 10 million travelers should be helping us sustain our environment."

Read more:
https://www.wfae.org/united-states-world/united-states-world/2023-04-05/hawaiis-lawmakers-mull-imposing-fees-to-pay-for-ecotourism-crush

Cities Nationwide Combat Climate Change With Urban Forests
Courtesy of Governing

By Alex Brown

From Seattle to Palm Beach, Florida, city leaders agree that urban areas need more trees to alleviate the effects of climate change. Amid the growing attention to tree canopy — and an infusion of federal funding — more than a dozen cities are convening to share ideas and plan the urban forests of the future.

Now those six cities — Albuquerque, Boulder, Chicago, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Portland, Oregon — have helped to launch a series of learning and information-sharing programs to bring dozens more communities into the fold, to maximize the effectiveness of the soon-to-be-disbursed federal money.

Read more:
https://www.governing.com/next/cities-nationwide-combat-climate-change-with-urban-forests

Nature-based solutions like trees and rain gardens can be cost-effective climate adaptations, advocates say
Courtesy of Smart Cities

By Kalena Thomhave

Urban nature solutions using green (land-based) and blue (water-based) infrastructure may become more common across the country following the November 2022 White House launch of a road map to “make nature-based solutions a go-to option for fighting climate change.” The initiative aims to increase adoption by easing access to funding and updating federal guidelines and policies, among other efforts.

Advocates for urban nature solutions say that tapping blue and green infrastructure can help cities realize many climate, social and health benefits for their residents.

Read more:
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/nature-based-solutions-trees-rain-gardens-cost-effective-climate-adaptations/643541/

Preserve or playground? Costa Mesa mulls future of Fairview Park as hobbyists’ fate hangs in the balance
Courtesy of Daily Pilot

By Sara Cardine

CALIFORNIA - For nearly 60 years, hobbyists have flown model gliders and motorized planes over the grasslands of Costa Mesa’s Fairview Park, a recreation that has attracted generations of retirees and would-be engineers collectively assembled as the Harbor Soaring Society.

The site where they launch remote-control aircraft on the west end of the property was shuttered during the pandemic, but when COVID-19 guidelines allowed for the reopening of parks no provisions were made for the resumption of flying.

Costa Mesa officials have been trying to determine whether and how such activity potentially impacts rare native plants and protected birds known to nest, winter and forage in Fairview’s vernal pools, the last such ecosystem of its kind in Orange County.

Read more:
https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2023-03-25/preserve-or-playground-costa-mesa-mulls-future-of-fairview-park-as-hobbyists-fate-hangs-in-the-balance

Volunteer Opportunity: Revenue Development and Management School Regents
Courtesy of NRPA

NRPA is currently seeking regents (instructors) for Revenue Development and Management School (RDMS). The RDMS Board of Regents, along with Oglebay’s National Training Center, North Carolina State University and NRPA, provide the highest possible level of practical and academic revenue management courses for park and recreation agencies. The RDMS Board of Regents plays an important role in the quality of the student experience by serving as class instructors, preparing learning materials, making recommendations in the development of the school curriculum and activities, and more. 

For more information: 
https://connect.nrpa.org/getinvolved/volunteeropportunities/volunteer-opportunity-details?VolunteerOpportunityKey=b09a4bd8-b625-451f-940b-01858429a19c

45 Scholarships Available for Green Stormwater Infrastructure Training Opportunity
Courtesy of NRPA

NRPA is pleased to offer training scholarships for park and recreational professionals to participate in a National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP). The training opportunity will focus on green stormwater infrastructure construction, inspection and maintenance through a combination of online learning, peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and online classes with national instructors. Participants will learn how to apply lessons learned to build and maintain successful green stormwater infrastructure projects in parks that provide multiple benefits to communities through community engagement and partnerships.

From June to August 2023, NRPA will host a virtual training cohort for 45 professionals. Once the training is complete, those individuals will be eligible to sit for the national exam to secure their NGICP certification. NRPA’s scholarship will pay for the educational training and one attempt at passing the national exam. 

Applications are due by April 30, 2023

For more information: 
https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7248126/2023-Green-Infrastructure-Training-Opportunity

Sustainable Trail Management Construction and Planning 
Courtesy of NRPA

Join this On-Demand Talk to gain a better understanding of trail management techniques, tools and materials needed to complete trail projects, and volunteer stewardship models to care for trails in the long term. This discussion covers dealing with urban trails, as well as backcountry trail work. Additionally, representatives from the Natural Areas Conservancy and New York City Parks will share an overview of their trail work from the past five years.

Read more:
https://learning.nrpa.org/products/sustainable-trail-management-construction-planning

Webinar: Overview - Intersection of Public Health and Parks and Recreation

Date: April 26, 2023
Time: 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET
Cost: Free 
Organization: Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals (SORP)

For more information: 
https://www.recpro.org/webinars

Fighting Defensiveness in Equity Conversations
Courtesy of NRPA

Live Event, Thursday, May 4, at 2 p.m. EDT

Many times, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives include internal staff training on topics, such as implicit bias, healthy communication and building relationships. However, these workshops and conversations require a high degree of emotional engagement, which inevitably can produce resistance and opposition among staff. This workshop will help you understand the real reasons why diversity initiatives sometimes provoke opposition, and help you create effective responses in service of equity and inclusion. 

For more information: 
https://learning.nrpa.org/products/fighting-defensiveness-in-equity-conversations

Upcoming Webinars from American Trails
Courtesy of American Trails

May 11, 2023: Building a Comprehensive Count Program in Your Park or on Your Trails

May 18, 2023: Informing the Trail Experience: The Process of Signing a Trail

May 25, 2023: Pack Goats: The Agile Trail Helpers

June 1, 2023: Trail Skills Project

June 29, 2023: Helping Wheelchair Hikers Find Hiking Trails

For more information: 
https://www.americantrails.org/training/webinars

NEW - Program Manager I - Cultural Resources
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation
Los Gatos, California
$112,1950 - $136,431 Annually
Application Deadline: May 10, 2023

NEW - Parks Supervisor
Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners
Port Charlotte, Florida
$27.76 Hourly
Application Deadline: Apr 15, 2023

NEW - PROS Park Planner 2
Miami Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, Florida
$58,277 - $102,591 Annually
Application Deadline: Apr 21, 2023

Environmental Specialist II
Sarasota County Government
Nokomis, Florida
$43,7220 - $59,821 Annually
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Coordinator of Fund Development and Major Gifts
Ottawa County Parks
West Olive, Michigan
$36.47 - $47.41 Hourly
Application Deadline: Open until closed

Parks & Recreation Program Supervisor
Ottawa County Parks & Recreation
West Olive, Michigan
$26.01 - $33.81 Hourly
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Chief of Design and Construction
East Bay Regional Park District
Oakland, California
$143,374 - $182,935 Annually
Application Deadline: Apr 14, 2023

Landscape Architect
Forest Preserve District of Will County
Joliet, Illinois
$64,701 - $97,092 Annually
Application Deadline: Apr 14, 2023

Chief of Interpretive and Recreation Services
East Bay Regional Park District
Oakland, California
$143,374 - $182,935 Annually
Application Deadline: Apr 28, 2023

Park Ranger I
Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation
Los Gatos, California
$70,599 - $85,386 Annually
Application Deadline: Jun 6, 2023

For more information:
https://nacpro.mcjobboard.net/jobs

Got a vacancy to fill? 
NACPRO will post your vacancy on our website and email a copy to our mailing list of over 1100 parks and recreation professionals for a fee of $100 for NACPRO members and $200 for non-members.

National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials
PO Box 74, Marienville PA 16239
(814) 927-8212
www.NACPRO.org