Interpretation volunteers play a very important role in helping to inspire park visitors to learn about and protect the special places they visit. The park rangers at Scotts Bluff National Monument are lucky to have a great partner, ally, and friend in volunteer Doug Kent.
Doug Kent, also known as "Volunteer Ranger Doug", was born and raised in the local community of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. "The bluff has always been a significant landmark where I live. Everyone that I’ve talked to throughout my life has heard of Scotts Bluff. When I wake up and look out my window I see the monument."
Volunteer Ranger Doug first started volunteering at Scotts Bluff National Monument in 2013. "There was an article in the Scottsbluff Star Herald (the local newspaper) asking for volunteers to clean up Old Oregon Trail Highway in front of the monument. I had been retired for a year and a half at that point. I went to my wife Louise, and asked if she thought I should volunteer. She thought it would be a wonderful idea since I always walked the monument. I work all day Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the busy months. I rove the summit, help with the entrance booth and greet visitors in the visitor center."
When asked what the most rewarding part of volunteering at Scotts Bluff National Monument has been, Doug responded "I love meeting all the visitors from all over the world. Last year we had visitors from Cambodia, Vietnam, India, the Philipines, and Iceland. Over the years I’ve talked to visitors from every country in Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. We typically get visitors from every state in the United States." With his warm, genuine smile and friendly demeanor, it's not a stretch to think that a conversation with Doug is one of the highlights of many visitors' trips.
I finished our conversation by asking Doug what advice he had for anyone else who was considering giving back to our national parks. Doug's response was "Volunteer just to see how rewarding it actually is."
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service