The Truth About Park Rangers
- Dr. Jessie Virga
- Nov 17
- 7 min read
The United States manages one of the largest systems of protected public land on Earth, a network that spans deserts, forests, mountain ranges, grasslands, rivers, and coastlines. This system is foundational to national identity, environmental resilience, public recreation, and scientific discovery. Yet the people responsible for protecting these lands remain widely misunderstood. They are often viewed as symbolic figures in wide brimmed hats, offering directions and checking trail maps. The reality is far more complex, and far more essential.
