NPS Ranger News

NPS law enforcement training has evolved to a point where major changes may be possible. Explore the possibilities in an in-depth hour-long interview with Yellowstone Superintendent Cameron Sholly. Cam's extensive CV includes titles such as Regional Director for the Midwest Region, Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection, Superintendent of Natchez Trace Parkway, Deputy Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection, Special Assistant to Director Bomar, Chief of Ranger Operations at Yosemite, and a number of seasonal and permanent positions with the NPS at Yosemite and Yellowstone.

Chris Figge, Team Leader of the NPS Ranger Honor Guard, talks about the team's history and mission, and how to become a member.

Take 1.3 million visitors, add water, warm weather, watercraft, and send them down a river, exploring caves, hiking, and horseback riding. What could go wrong? 

An in-depth look at ranger operations at Ozark National Scenic Riverways with District Rangers Chris Figge and Eric Herndon.

See how NPS rangers work night and day to keep the park safe and fun for all. 

We'll also see why this park is a great place for rangers to work and live.

Not long ago, if one was a permanent GS-5 park ranger, you had to compete to reach the GS-7 level. Supervisors were GS-8 or 9. NPS rangers used to be in the news for being eligible for food stamps. An effort called "Ranger Careers" changed that, and the ranger profession. 

We talk to Dick Martin about his time in the Washington Office a vision of the modern ranger workforce became a reality.

Dick is a former superintendent three parks (Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Death Valley, and Wrangell-St. Elias) moving up the ranger ranks in Yosemite, Sequoia/Kings Canyon, Mt. Rainier and Olympic.

We speak to CJ Ross, Director of the seasonal park ranger academy at Vermillion Community College in Ely, MN. 

What makes Vermillion unique? How to prepare, because if you're not ready, you may not pass.

Info on Vermillion http://www.vcc.edu/programs-degrees/law-enforcement-ems/seasonal-park-law-enforcement-ranger-training/

And the other academies: https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/seasonal-law-enforcement-training-program.htm

The film that will give your superintendent nightmares. We interview Jenn Wexler, the director and writer of the award-winning horror film The Ranger.  https://www.theranger-movie.com/

Rangers killed in the line of duty with author and former NPS Special Agent Paul Berkowitz, who plans to revise his book US Rangers: The Law of the Land. He can be reached at facebook.com/PaulBerkowitzAuthor or [email protected]