What is it like being a park ranger?

I always thought that seemed like an awesome job. Or a zookeeper. Becoming a veterinarian involves way too much time in school (like 10-12 years, I believe). I enjoy nature and animals. I came across a park ranger eating her lunch on a hike a couple weeks ago. I didn’t want to bother her, but it seems like she had the best job ever. Since she worked at the park with the biggest waterfall in Ohio.

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vetguy1991 · 51-55, M

Might consider being a wildlife technician

tenente · 100+, M

my friend was a ranger here in NY state for 12 yrs. she told me the role changed, it's less about conservation and the environment now, and has become a glorified security guard. while she was responsible for protecting the park, this also meant she had to evict trespassers and vandals - something park rangers are not adequately trained to do (2 day course over a weekend once a year). in the last years of being a ranger she was shot at twice by poachers and was struck by a pickup truck driven by a vandal she was attempting to evict from the park. becoming a ranger is relatively easy: finish high school (or equivalent), have a photo ID and pass a background check. honestly, it sounds terrible and i wouldn't do it myself.

666Maggotz ·

@tenente now that makes me sad. I hope she is okay. I thought it would be a nice job because you get to be in nature. 😢

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