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Q&A with Kelsie Hengle, National Park Service Ranger

• Kent State Alumnus 2021
• Environmental Studies Bachelor’s Degree, Public Health Bachelor’s Degree
• Kent State Office of Sustainability Intern 2019
• What sparked your interest in environmental studies?
  I loved the flexibility it gave me to learn about the natural environment through geology, biology, geography, sustainability, and the role humans play in both helping and hurting the environment.  I was able to take classes that sparked my interest and learn about subjects that I am passionate about. Learning about how we have affected the environment and how there is hope through sustainable efforts inspired me and pushed me to pursue a career in the National Park Service.
   
• What is your favorite part of your position?
  I work in community engagement as a National Park Service Ranger. We put on programs both in the community and at the park. In community engagement we strive to not only bring people to the park, but we acknowledged that getting to the park is not always accessible, so we try to bring the park to people. My favorite part about my job is that I get teach children about the animals we have in our park and the ways we can protect them by going to schools and community centers. When they do have an opportunity to visit our park I love to lead hikes and share the beautiful resources we have at CVNP. I hope to inspire the next generation to be passionate about our environment.
   
• How did your studies or classes at Kent State support you in your sustainability endeavors?
  The classes I took for Environmental Studies helped me understand a holistic view on sustainability that I still carry with me today. By learning about how we as individuals can make sustainable choices, how companies and organizations can contribute to the cause, and how we can create sustainable ecosystems in our environment have all been used in my job and personal life. 
   
• How does sustainability manifest itself in what you do at Cuyahoga Valley National Park? 
  My role as an interpretive park ranger is to share the history, cultural and natural resources of our national park to inspire those to be passionate about what we protect in CVNP therefore furthering stewardships of our public lands. We do this through programming with the public, youth organizations, and schools to teach them about the land we protect and how they can contribute to that protection in the park and beyond the boundaries of the park to their backyards and communities.
   
• What do you want the people of Kent State to know about you and your position as Cuyahoga Valley National Park Ranger (or any other roles you have)? 
  As an interpretive Park Ranger my role is to interpret the cultural, natural, historically, and recreational resources of Cuyahoga Valley National Park in a way that inspires stewardship and ultimately helps preserve this land for future generations to enjoy.
   
• What do you want people to know about Cuyahoga Valley National Park? 
  CVNP is a 33,000-acre National Park found between two major cities in Akron and Cleveland. It was established in 1974 to protect the history, culture and natural environment within its boundaries. We are celebrating our 50^th anniversary next year. The Cuyahoga River runs through our national park and over the years there has been a focus to help restore the waters to a healthy habitat for native plants, animals, and insects. There have been tremendous improvements that have taken place over the years from a river that once burned due to pollutants and trash to a place to recreate and experience the return of wildlife like eagles, beaver, and otters.
   
• Where is one of your favorite spots to visit at CVNP? And what makes it your favorite?
  One of my favorite spots in CVNP is the beaver marsh once a junkyard before the park acquired the land and now a vital wetland along the Cuyahoga River. This wildlife habitat is truly alive throughout the year and place to call home for beavers, birds, turtles, and river otters.  

Thank you Kelsie!