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.
"It is an illusion that photos are made with the camera... they are made with the eye, heart, and head." - Henri Cartier Bresson
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
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!
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!!
Meet Ranger Kerry
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