Crossing paths to strengthen engagement
By: Breyer Kinzer, Big Thompson Ranger
Ellen Harris and Ranger Kinzer show off some of the tools of the trade.
Tiny Trekkers listening for animal communication and connecting with the surrounding environment.
Photos Breyer Kinzer
This spring, two members of the Public Engagement team, Julie Enderby and Ellen Harris, graciously invited two Big Thompson Rangers, Breyer Kinzer and Molly Buck, to attend their Volunteer Naturalist training seminar.
After completing several classes to better understand how to educate our visiting public effectively, Ranger Kinzer went on to join Tiny Trekkers a Saturday in May at River Bluffs Open Space. The class focused on animal communication and used bird song to connect young learners (ages 2-5) to their environment.
Ranger Kinzer and Volunteer Naturalist Sheryl Griese led ten students on a hike around the sunny park where they listened to birds, noticed mushrooms and flowers, and worked on fostering positive stewardship behaviors. The students were especially excited about the pill bugs roaming the trails.
After about an hour, the little ones were so tired that their parents carried them back to their cars, ending the day of play on a successful note.
The ripple effect continued. Ranger Kinzer also shared eco-knowledge, some of which was directly from the Naturalists, with incoming seasonal Rangers through presentations at each district’s mini-skills-academy in May.
She hopes that all Rangers will see Environmental Education and Authority of the Resource as integral tools in their daily interactions with the public. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from Julie & Ellen and to Department leadership for allowing her to share this knowledge.
Rangers are looking forward to growing this partnership by joining more Tiny Trekkers, Campfire Programs, and other programs in the coming months. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any ideas about ways Rangers can support your goals across the Department and Larimer County!
