The Job of a Park Ranger
This type of ranger specializes in engaging visitors and leading interpretive programs about the park’s history, wildlife, and ecology.
What is an interpretive ranger?
This national park, established in 1872, is the oldest in the U.S. and often considered the first in the world.
What is Yellowstone National Park?
This versatile item is worn daily by rangers and may hold radios, gloves, keys, bear spray, and other essentials. .
What is a utility belt (or duty belt)?
Park rangers are often required to complete training at this federal law enforcement center in Georgia.
What is the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)?
This term refers to intentional human impact on protected lands that causes environmental harm, such as illegal dumping or off-trail hiking.
What is resource degradation (or environmental degradation)?
Used to communicate across vast and remote terrain, this device is essential for ranger coordination in emergencies.
What is a two-way radio?
This federal agency manages most national parks in the United States and employs the majority of federal park rangers.
What is the National Park Service (NPS)?
Name one major challenge national parks face due to increasing tourism.
What is overcrowding, pollution, trail erosion, or wildlife disturbance?
This item is commonly used by rangers working in bear country to deter wildlife encounters without causing harm.
What is bear spray (or pepper spray)?
Rangers often refer to the “dual mandate” of the NPS, which involves preserving resources and doing this.
What is providing for public enjoyment?
This important document is developed for each national park and outlines how natural and cultural resources will be preserved and used.
What is a General Management Plan (GMP)?
When performing search-and-rescue or trail maintenance, rangers rely on this GPS-enabled tool to navigate and mark coordinates.
What is a handheld GPS device (or GPS tracker)?
In remote parks, rangers must perform multiple roles. Give at least three job responsibilities a backcountry ranger might have.
What are patrolling trails, performing search and rescue, enforcing rules, conducting wildlife monitoring, or maintaining campsites?
This 1964 U.S. law protects designated areas of federal land where “man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”
What is the Wilderness Act?
This tool, part of wildland firefighting gear, combines an axe and an adze, and is essential for clearing vegetation.
What is a Pulaski tool?