Ranger Rendezvous 47 in review; mark calendars for RR 48

From Nov. 5-9, 2024, ANPR members, representatives from partners, and multiple exhibitors traveled to Rapid City, S. D., for training and presentations about a wide variety of topics that will help enhance their productivity and efficiency in the weeks and months ahead. 

This year presenters and instructors addressed a variety of topics including:

• Embracing adversity (and wellness)

• Satellite communications in NPS 

• African rangers and endangered species

• “A View from Here” (an accessible story)

• Hiring official tips

• An insider’s look at true crime stories in wild places

• Parks that once were, or never made the cut

• Partner panel from coalitions and interpretive associations to official park societies

• National parks yesterday and today

• The 1898 Fort Laramie Treaty and local stories

• An advocate’s view on the state of the national parks

• A view from NPS leadership

• Perspectives from a former director and Yellowstone superintendent

• Updates on the World Ranger Congress in Hyeres, France

• Ranger Museum update in Yellowstone National Park

• Why study death in national parks

• How NPS is responding to changing climates in parks

• Travels with Freeman Tilden (see link here)  

• Best practices for employee engagement

• Cave exploration and management

• Park Rx: stewardship through wellness initiatives

• History and future of America’s park lands (watch program here)

Members also met to discuss the organization’s strategic direction. In two sessions, the organization’s president, Rick Mossman, sought input from attendees, scoping priorities and tactics to accomplish them.

“We’re going to continue work to support training opportunities, look for ways to support improvements to park housing, increase employee wellness, and advocate for improvements to hiring,” Mossman said. “Working on strategic priorities ensures we’re going to serve the needs of our members and parks.”

Members also discussed sustaining essential organization functions and services including the Supernaugh Scholarship, which pays for first timers’ attendance at Rendezvous, and the Ranger Disaster Relief Fund, which provides grants to ANPR members affected by natural disasters in their area.

During Rendezvous, attendees also discussed preparations for current staff to participate in an orderly transition following the 2024 election. These discussions were largely informed by retired members who shared ideas based on past transitions.

We will continue to contribute to the parks’ missions to conserve the plants, animals, and human history that make them special to Americans and to help all visitors experience their natural and cultural landscapes. We will also support the staff who steward these special places so that they have the resources they need in order to continue their important work serving everyone in the United States and around the World.

Next year’s Ranger Rendezvous is already scheduled, and ANPR members are looking forward to gathering once again. Ranger Rendezvous 48 will be held Oct. 15-18, 2025, at Virginia Beach, Va.

Three new Board of Directors will be elected onto the ANPR board in the next few weeks. If you are a member, please look for the link to the elections website soon.

Our free newsletter is sent out nearly weekly, so subscribe to learn more about activities throughout the year and for more information about Rendezvous! Check the Association for National Park Rangers website for information on next year’s Rendezvous as it becomes available.