Favorite Parts Of Being A Park Naturalist At California State Parks
Michelle, a California State Park Interpreter, finds the greatest reward in "impact[ing] younger generations" by fostering respect for natural lands and overcoming children's fears of nature; this involves teaching environmental responsibility, like proper trash disposal, and building confidence through interactive experiences, such as handling animal pelts.
Environmental Education, Outdoor Recreation, Youth Engagement, Conservation, Public Service
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michelle Claassen
California State Park Interpreter (Naturalist)
CA State Parks
Cuesta College and Liberty University
Communications
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Government & Public Sector
Climate, Environment and Sustainability
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Inspiring future generations to respect and care for nature
2. Educating children about nature and wildlife, dispelling myths and fears
3. Witnessing the growth and positive impact on children's attitudes towards nature
Transcript
What do you enjoy most about being in your current role?
I think what I enjoy most about my current role is the responsibility we have to impact younger generations, helping them grow up learning how to respect our land and take care of the parks they use.
This includes simple things like teaching kids how to pick up trash. We also work with children who are scared to be out in nature, as they don't do it often and are unsure of what to expect. They might hear about bears or ask if there are alligators in our lagoon.
Our goal is to help students navigate being outdoors and overcome fears they may have developed from shows or movies. It's really rewarding to see kids grow, even in a half-hour program.
For instance, they might initially be scared to touch an animal pelt but eventually do so. Knowing we're making an impact on younger generations is very rewarding.
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