Message from the Superintendent and March Senior Staff Notes

Message from Nita

“I’ve loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night” – Galileo

At our last Senior Staff meeting, Ranger Maria Reusing enlightened us with a presentation that reminded us of the beauty of the night sky and the detrimental effects of light pollution. Maria shared her memories from childhood, growing up in an urban area near Baltimore City, thinking at the time that there were only three stars in the sky.  It was not until she was an MCC member that she saw the Milky Way.  From that experience, Maria researched and presented her findings to us on the Dark Sky International Association certification program.  Senior Staff agreed that Maryland State Parks should take steps to reduce or eliminate light pollution and thereby become certified as Dark Skies over time wherever possible.  The attached video captures the importance of this cause as we begin to ponder light pollution in our Parks.

Dark Skies Video

Spring readiness was also a topic of discussion that is very important to us and our millions of visitors, as the crowds begin to flood our gates.  Is your staff ready for the season?  Are all of your radios working, first aid kits supplied, facilities and vehicles clean and operational, emergency plans reviewed and in order, and most importantly, is your seasonal workforce hired and in Workday?  Often times it is the small things that can make a difference in the success of our operational season.  What will success look and feel like to you this summer?

Last, but certainly not least, on March 10^th, I attended a Harriet Tubman symposium with Assistant Secretary Anthony, co-sponsored by the NPS and MPS.  Major Mike Riley held his monthly regional manager meeting at the new Harriet Tubman UGRR Visitor Center and ensured a helpful and professional presence of MPS Rangers throughout the event. Manager Dana Paterra delivered a graceful introduction to the event, which included a panel of renowned Tubman historians and authors.  I am so proud of our staff and proud to be a part of something that will become a national landmark of historic proportions. In addition to the presentations guests were provided with a tour of the new facility, still under final construction.  We are looking forward to sharing the Tubman experience with all of you over the coming year.  

MARYLAND PARK SERVICE

SENIOR STAFF MEETING NOTES

March 2, 2016

Attendees: Nita Settina, Chris Bushman, Amanda Mock, Al Preston, Mike Riley, Dave Powell, Alison Woodfield, Guest: Maria Reusing (next meeting’s manager-of-the-month – Southeast Region)

DARK SKIES PROGRAM

• Ranger Reusing provided information regarding the Dark Sky International Association certification program. She identified types of light pollution and how it affects visitors and wildlife.
• Reviewed methods for preventing / reducing light pollution such as:
1. Replacing / modifying light fixtures (e.g. shielded lights)
2. Replacing bulbs with yellow or red bulbs
3. Turn off lights that are not needed
4. Install motion sensors ($20-$30 each)

• Viewed Losing the Dark video – International Dark Sky Association (IDA)
• A Dark Sky Area is “A park or public land possessing exceptional starry skies and natural nocturnal habitat where light pollution is mitigated and natural darkness is valuable as an important educational, cultural, scenic and natural resource.” – IDA
• Senior staff expressed support for Ranger Reusing to coordinate with the Regional Managers to provide the Dark Skies presentation at regional meetings including dark sky goals and projects in 5 year Strategic Plans and even certify dark sky parks in the future.

REGIONAL REPORTS

• SOUTHEAST

-        Update on agricultural lease in Southern Maryland – Working toward compliance

-        Assateague – contractor finished with emergency dune repairs. Will continue previously scheduled repairs.

-        Harriet Tubman UGRR Visitor Center opening – building not yet suitable for access to the public by March 10 event – will have private opening

• CENTRAL

-        Warrior Canine Connection (Seneca Creek) – moving in soon (May?)

-        Rocks Station Road washed away after recent storm (Rocks SP)

·       Emergency repairs needed – Rip-rap may be solution

-        NatureScape Playgrounds – meetings ongoing, some confusion on scheduling

-        Patapsco – reviewing potential 350+ acre acquisition

• WEST

-        South Mountain – core battlefield land purchased by the State

-        Employee Field Day – September 28th – Fort Frederick

-        Customer Service Training (DNR) was held at Rocky Gap

-        Cabins – Discussed moving check-out time to 11am instead of 10am

·       Preston to follow up with affected managers to look at  a later check-out time on a seasonal basis

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEY

• February results were reviewed

           

ADMINISTRATION (Mock)

• Park Budget Projections

-        Please ask managers to keep up projections – possible that Mock may need the information with 24 hours notice

-        Regional Managers will be monitoring park budgets closely

• Budget Update

-        Governor’s FY17 budget still being considered by General Assembly – won’t be finalized until April

-        Senior staff will hold a FY17 budget planning meeting in June

-        Regional managers will canvas Managers regarding vehicle replacement needs and coordinate with Mock

• Recruitment

-        Seasonal hiring seems to be going more smoothly this year

·       Mock encourages field staff to ask questions if they have them

• New Workday Timekeeping System

-        Online training now available to all employees

-        Regional Managers will provide senior staff with list of each park’s plan for timekeeping for all employees

·       Identify potential problems, including IT issues

·       Goal is to fix problems prior to the implementation of the new system

DEPUTY SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Tracking Problems with Customers on reservation system

-        Notations can be made regarding any issues with / special needs of customers

-        Notes are helpful in alerting staff of past issues with customers, etc.

• EAB Treatment Program

-        Planning is progressing – any feedback from the field?

• State Duty Officer Notifications

-        If at all possible, use email rather than text messages

§  Better for further sharing of communication / documentation

• DNR Media Policy

-        The OC is to be notified about any and all media inquiries, as they are tracking media contacts and relationship building

·       Very routine inquiries (e.g. park hours, program information) may be handled directly, but the OC is still to be made aware

-        Social Media (Facebook / Twitter) – The only items that MPS staff should be posting / tweeting is information about positive events / programs / happenings directly related to MPS business / Maryland State Parks

·       Park closure tweets and opening approved

·       Do not  re-tweet information not directly related to State Parks

·       Do not re-tweet NRP tweets about park incidents unless directed to do so

• Spring Readiness / Radio Communications

-        Regional Managers will be canvassing Managers to determine if there are any issues related to communications so that we can address problems in advance of spring/summer operations.

-        Public Information Act (PIA) Requests

-        PIA requests to be forwarded to Mock immediately, as we must respond within 10 days (not necessarily collect and provide all the requested information / documents)

§  Gene Deems is the DNR PIA Coordinator

-        Remember that everything sent in emails / texts, etc. is a potential public record that may be viewed by others. Deleted emails can be retrieved for PIA requests.

• Policy Issues

-        Jewelry / Piercings / Tattoos – Follow-Up Discussion

·       Based on feedback from field staff, proposed amended policy language being drafted for further review that will allow a nose stud, but will not allow multiple hoop style earrings due to safety. Tattoos will also be permitted as long as they are not deemed in conflict with MPS values and mission

• Zika Virus

-        MPS staff beginning to receive inquiries

-        DHMH Website has information, fact sheets, posters, brochures, and other information

-        No cases of Zika virus originating in the United States yet

-        Carried only by certain species of mosquito, which are found in certain areas of  Maryland

-        Melton will be compiling information for dissemination to MPS staff

-        Staff will be provided with basic information to protect themselves and answer basic questions from the public and made aware of resources available to the public

     

SUPERINTENDENT UPDATE

• Signature Events Calendar will be used to coordinate with OCM for publicity of events

-        Status? Regional Managers to continue to have Managers send Angie Pease information on signature events at their parks, using the template that Christina Holden developed

-        Angie Pease to report out at April senior staff meeting

• DNR Incident Management Team Meeting (March 9) table top exercise

-        Settina and Bushman to attend

-        MPS looking for representative for Logistics Section

-        Regional Managers will solicit interest from staff in their region

• Google Visitation Spreadsheet

-        Spreadsheet is being finalized by Knisely – close to launch

-        Park Managers need to review list of places for which we currently record attendance and advise Knisely as to which land units are to be listed

-        Park managers need to advise Knisely as to who will be granted access to the spreadsheet

• May Managers Meeting Agenda

-        Pilot 5-year Strategic Plans (New Germany, Smallwood, Susquehanna, Tuckahoe, Fort Frederick); presentations and panel Q&A

-        Recognition and Awards

-        Day Use / Campground Operation Workgroups Reports

-        Regional Managers to solicit agenda ideas from Park Managers

-        Group Photo

• MRPA

-        Conference in April

-        MPS purchased an agency membership so that all staff has a membership in MRPA

-        Need names of employees interested in attending.

• Critical Maintenance Meeting

-        E&C has updated list of critical maintenance projects

§  Available on the “P” drive – read-only document

§  Regional E&C folks are visiting parks for updates and to review list. Projects will be prioritized at April meeting with E&C

• Town Hall Meetings

-        Positive feedback

-        Great to see everyone!

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Training Opportunity

Free Webinar

Children in Nature Series: Connecting Urban Kids to Nature through Parks

March 17th