Passport to Texas

Dinosaur Exhibit at Dinosaur Valley State Park

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Folks like you are participating in the Citizen’s Park Ranger Academy at Dinosaur Valley SP. They’re learning skills needed to run a state park.

05—We actually go into the field and put those skills to the test.

Tracy Mays, with Park Operations, says participants learn in a classroom what it takes to assume the various park jobs before going into the field.

16—Last year – our search and rescue – we went over what you do when you do find a lost person. We had four different activities set up, and we had different search parties going out to those different activities, and they were able to actually go into the field and rescue somebody.

Cadets range in age from 16 on up and must be physically able to handle the nature of the work.

18—They have to be able to climb; we have some very advanced trails. There’s some lifting. And, they have to be able to withstand heat, because that’s pretty much the part of being in the park and having on the trails and working on stuff. You are out in the elements, so they have to be able to withstand that.

The Citizen’s Park Ranger Academy takes place only at Dinosaur Valley, but other parks may offer it in the future. Meantime, Tracy says participants leave with a deeper appreciation of what it takes to keep their state parks running.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.