The History and Future of America’s Public Land with Walt Dabney

Join us this week for a film screening and discussion series featuring Walt Dabney, a nationally recognized public lands leader whose 43-year career spanned the National Park Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

The events are free and open to the public.

A coalition of North Dakota’s leading conservation organizations will host a three-city film screening and discussion series featuring Walt Dabney, a nationally recognized public lands leader whose 43-year career spanned the National Park Service (NPS) and Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Walt Dabney, a retired park professional, began his career as a ranger-naturalist in Yellowstone and rose through leadership positions in Yosemite, Grand Teton, Everglades, Mount Rainier, and as Chief Ranger of the NPS in Washington, D.C. He later directed the Southeast Utah Group of parks and served as Director of Texas State Parks. Known for his expertise in law enforcement, search and rescue, fire management, and public land policy, Dabney continues to share his insights through teaching, leadership training, and public speaking.

The series is presented by the Badlands Conservation Alliance, North Dakota Wildlife Federation, North Dakota Natural Resources Trust, North Dakota Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, North Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society, North Dakota Sierra Club, and the Dakota Resource Council.

Walt Dabney in Dickinson

Walt Dabney’s film, The History and Future of America’s Public Land, will be screened on Tuesday, October 14th at 6:30 p.m. MDT at Beck Auditorium in Klinefelter Hall at Dickinson State University.

After the film screening, a question-and-answer discussion will be held at 7:30 p.m. MDT. The Q&A will be moderated by Clay Jenkinson, Theodore Roosevelt Humanities Scholar.

Walt Dabney in Bismarck

Walt Dabney’s film, The History and Future of America’s Public Land, will be screened on Wednesday, October 15th at 6:30 p.m. CDT at Russell Reid Auditorium in North Dakota Heritage Center.

After the film screening, a question-and-answer discussion will be held at 7:30 p.m. CDT. The Q&A will be moderated by Keith Trego, Executive Director of North Dakota Natural Resources Trust

Walt Dabney in Grand Forks

Walt Dabney’s film, The History and Future of America’s Public Land, will be screened on Thursday, October 16th at 6:30 p.m. CDT at the Gransberg Room in the Gorecki Alumni Center at Dickinson State University.

After the film screening, a question-and-answer discussion will be held at 7:30 p.m. CDT. The Q&A will be moderated by Valerie Naylor, former Superintendent of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Maah Daah Hey Trail Hike with Walt Dabney

On Sunday, October 12th, we hiked a section of the Maah Daah Hey Trail with Walt Dabney and visited the Bear Creek Bridge, which Badlands Conservation Corps helped build in June.

Thanks to everyone who joined us! Special thanks to Jennifer Morlock, Dakota Cyclery, who graciously shuttled participants.

This was Walt Dabney’s first time hiking in North Dakota. In “Federal lands need the public’s help, retired National Park ranger says,” Dabney told North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer that federal employees should to their best to hang on to their jobs: “Do your job, take care of each other, take care of the visitor […] You can only fall on your sword once.”