A park naturalist is a person who works at a state or national park and educates park visitors using his or her extensive knowledge of the park. The park naturalist will know not only the park’s history, but also all of the flora and fauna that can be found there. It’s not unreasonable to expect a naturalist who has spent years working in a particular park to be able to identify almost everything he or she sees, from different types of trees and birds to different types of mosses and ground cover. She’ll be able to pass on this information to park visitors after that.
A park naturalist’s educational requirements can vary. Many go to college to study environmental sciences or natural resource management; most only get a bachelor’s degree, but depending on their career goals, some go on to get a master’s degree. Others are self-taught naturalists who have spent years studying their surroundings and do not have a college diploma. Park naturalists typically begin their careers with summer internships or employment, and as they gain experience, they may be able to advance to full-time positions and offer educational programs even during the winter, when park visitors are fewer.
Leading nature hikes or camping trips, as well as presenting outdoor programs at the park, are some of the most common duties of a park naturalist. The naturalist will explain the surrounding flora and fauna, as well as why it is important to preserve it, during the hike. He or she will also answer questions from visitors to the park. At educational programs, the same types of information may be shared. Naturalists frequently deliver these educational programs to people of all ages, so they must be able to communicate effectively with both children and adults.
A naturalist is an important member of a conservation or resource management team, in addition to educating the public about the park’s natural history. The naturalist can offer advice on land management and the best ways to mitigate damage because of his or her extensive knowledge of the park. For example, if the park wants to build a new hiking trail, the park naturalist might be able to identify the areas where it won’t have any negative effects on sensitive ecological areas.