Current Position: Park Naturalist
How long have you been with Ohio State Parks and in what capacity?
8 years, part time for the first 6 years. I just worked on my own time and made the park need my position.
How did you become involved in working as a Park Naturalist?
I was raised on the edge of Shawnee Forest with no electricity. My big brother and I played outside in Upper Twin Creek for entertainment. We took long walks and had guide books in our back packs to help us identify various critters we encountered. My parents cleared the land and raised a huge garden and planted an orchard and raised goats, rabbits, chickens. We lived off the land. It was a very interesting childhood that led me in the path I have taken.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
Today I talked with 140 second graders about animals and their habitats, discussing all the various combinations. Afterwards, I gave a presentation to a Research Club and Shawnee State University about the diversity of our area a background on Shawnee State Park and Forest. I let them know how lucky they were to live in this area and encouraged them to go outside and explore for themselves. I had a Tupperware full of snakes with me from my previous program with the 2nd graders so I shared those as well afterwards. There is no such thing as a typical day for a naturalist. My role changes on a daily basis. I help organize special events to bring eco-tourists into our area. The conferences we hold at our lodge are geared toward nature enthusiasts featuring topics like: butterflies, reptiles and amphibians, birds and flowers. I apply for grants to improve trails and create Wild School Sites. I give power point presentations to a wide range of clubs.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40+ per week.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I love it all. It is the most rewarding job I have ever had. The best part is spending time outside with park visitors who are new to the outdoors who are just so amazed at the most basic wonderful things about nature. I really enjoy the days when I get to learn from other amazing naturalists when we have conferences at out lodge and the place if filled with wonderful people who know so much about a specific topic. I love going to the grocery store and hearing little children whisper to their mothers, "Mom, that’s the snake lady."
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Keeping up with the teachers who want to visit the park with their group is a challenge. Getting people to change their views about snakes, bats and spiders can be a bit difficult. I have a hard time accommodating everyone, but I manage.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
Applicants for park naturalist positions in Ohio State Parks should have at least an associate degree, with coursework in natural sciences like botany, biology and zoology, plus outdoor safety practices and public relations classes.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
I traveled in Central America working with Sea Turtles and teaching English. I worked in a youth hostile in France and traveled around Europe for a few months. I could have done that forever, but I thought I should move home to be near my family and got a job with the rest of the hard working American citizens. I was happy I traveled some after college before I got settled into this wonderful job.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
I am helping organize a Butterfly Conference for next August. The most interesting projects are the ones that get me outside exploring something. It is fun to use my new Caterpillars of North America book and figure out what all these amazingly beautiful critters turn into. We built a butterfly enclosure in the park to raise caterpillars in so people can watch them grow and help me feed them. I love planting native trees and flowers as well and that is a project for next week.
If someone were interested in working as a Park Naturalist, what advice could you give them?
Start by volunteering in the parks. It’s a great place to start and a wonderful way to get some actual experience working in a park environment.
Please share any further thoughts you may have about working in the state park system:
I absolutely love my job. I get to work in a place that most people come for vacation. It is so beautiful in southern Ohio. I am a lucky girl.
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