Writer seeking NPS Ranger insight
Hey all, I hope this is okay to post here! I’m a former journalist and aspiring author currently working on a series of fictional stories inspired by and set in NPS units. As some of these involve NPS ranger characters (and all of them will delve into specific, local environmental/regulatory challenges), I would really love to start compiling a list of contacts that I might be able to chat with or direct the occasional question to as they arise.
As a little bit of background on me, I’ve tabled writing for the last few years to build a career in conservation as a geospatial data specialist, so I have a pretty good feel for geographic context and the way it shapes environmental concerns, policy, and peoples’ relationships to their surroundings. I’m also an experienced hiker and camper and am currently halfway to my goal of visiting every National Park in the U.S (capital N, capital P, not NPS unit—but maybe someday!). Now that I’m finally diving back into my writing craft, I’m obsessed with the idea of merging those passions to communicate relevant issues through accessible storytelling.
All that said, while I’m comfortable speaking to outdoor settings and outdoor recreational experiences, I’m admittedly feeling way out of my depth when it comes to doing justice to all the intricacies of ranger work. It would be tremendously helpful to even just have someone who can pass me a yes/no answer when I have a question about whether an idea I’ve conceptualized is realistic.
If you’re open to connecting, please just give me a shout. I’m always happy to hop on a call to chat but am also cool with keeping correspondence digital if that’s more your speed. I don’t use social media, so email or text would be preferred.
My current focus is on Joshua Tree NP and I’m looking specifically to incorporate perspectives of interpretive rangers and SAR. Other projects I’d like to tackle in the near future involve Grand Canyon, Capitol Reef, and Glacier. That said, I’m always developing new concepts, so experience in specific parks or positions is not a limiting factor.
Thanks in advance!
ETA: I am not currently being paid for my writing in any form - it’s strictly a passion project. While I wholeheartedly agree that ranger work is both underappreciated and underpaid, I am unfortunately not in a position to offer compensation at this time. I was really just hoping to find a few contacts who might be open to causally chatting with me about their work or answering a dumb question here or there. I’m just here to learn - not trying to take advantage of anybody.