PARK RANGER ACADEMY,2: Learning what it takes to run a 
park from the inside out ... ahead ... on Passport to Texas.

This is Passport to Texas

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.








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