I shared this on FB, but thought I would share it with my BPN friends as well. A few months ago I signed up to be a volunteer ranger for the National Park Service here in my local Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It is quite rewarding and I love being able to give something back to the beleaguered NPS, which has sadly been used by politicians as a political pawn. Funding for many projects and functions has been cut by congress and as you know, the parks were completely shut down in the shameful government shutdown that occurred.
I have been leading bird walks once a month, which is a lot of fun and a sure way to learn more about birds as many veteran birders attend the walks. I am also leading the interpretive walks at Paramount Ranch, the only working movie ranch in the National Park system. The ranch has a rich history going all the way back to 1917 when the first movies were produced there. As a result of my work so far, I was asked to be involved in a group that is working on bringing a real film festival to the mountains! Further, I was recently recruited to be the official media documentary photographer for the park and started this week by documenting production at Paramount Ranch of a major feature film directed by Clint Eastwood (yes, he was there!). I'm really excited about this opportunity, as I recently retired from the movie industry and this is a way for me to help out by doing something I love (photography) for something I love (cinema and the national parks).
It felt funny when they introduced me as "Ranger Kerry", but the head ranger told me that I was just as much a ranger as the people on the payroll and that feels good to me.
06-05-2014, 06:12 PM
Dan Brown
Looking good, Kerry! Sounds like a great opportunity for photography and birding.
06-05-2014, 07:12 PM
Don Nelson
Congrats. When I was growing up in Thousand Oaks, I used to spend a lot campout weekends with the Boy Scouts up in Circle-X. Great country for hiking, including the route around the sleeping indian (mountain with rock formation). Anything left of the old Circle-X site now?
Don
06-05-2014, 07:18 PM
Kerry Perkins
Hi Don, yes! Circle-X is very active and still a camp spot for the Boy Scouts. The group camp area is still available and gets quite a bit of use.
06-05-2014, 07:28 PM
Loi Nguyen
Hi Kerry, you look really good in that outfit. looking forward to go on a bird walk with you in the near future. Loi
06-05-2014, 08:42 PM
Christopher Miller
Looking good, Ranger Kerry! Sounds like a really cool place to be and work!
06-06-2014, 01:09 PM
Diane Miller
Cool! Looks like rewarding fun!
06-06-2014, 01:13 PM
Nancy Bell
Good for you! I am a volunteer forest ranger for the US Forest Service here in Colorado's Rocky Mountains and I love the concept of "giving back" and being in a place I love. Hey, my uniform looks just like yours!
06-06-2014, 03:45 PM
Kerry Perkins
That's great Nancy, good for you!
06-07-2014, 06:55 AM
Daniel Cadieux
That's awesome Kerry! Must be very rewarding to help like that with something you dearly love.
06-07-2014, 07:06 AM
Hazel Grant
Great idea! Good for you!
07-23-2014, 05:07 PM
Wendy Kates
I've always felt that I've missed my calling as a park ranger, but it never occurred to me to volunteer for the NPS when I retire (which hopefully will in the next two years). But now you've inspired me! Enjoy!!
07-24-2014, 11:46 AM
Cheryl Slechta
Hi, Kerry, I just saw this post for the first time. You look great in that uniform, Ranger Kerry:5
07-26-2014, 08:24 AM
Cheryl Arena Molennor
Sounds like a great opportunity Kerry. Congratulations