THERE ARE TWO very different ways to look at a state park, as a visitor or as a ranger.

You can look at a state park as a visitor or as a ranger.

For the first time, I got to see a state park like a ranger.

In just 5 short hours, I was exposed to an eye-opening view to the parks, a view full care, pride, and balance. At my school they let you miss a day to job shadow someone and of course I just had to shadow one of our great state park rangers. A couple of Wednesdays ago, I went to Aiken State Park to shadow Ranger Aaron Chavous, the park’s manager.

As I made my way towards Aiken, I noticed the cool and really foggy weather. But it was clearing up and was still a beautiful drive down the rural roads.

I ARRIVED RIGHT at 9, realizing this was one of my first times to a state park without my grandpa and I missed him.

Ranger Aaron met me at the gate and I followed him up to the park office. This was not my first rodeo in Aiken. In fact this was my 3rd visit. I was met with old memories as we drove through the park.

At his office he gave me an informative tour. The dark yet cozy office had CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) history in it and he told me all about the Great Depression New Deal program to give people work and an income.

Afterwards, we hopped in his truck and he drove me around the park, by the campground, to all 4 lakes, to the Edisto River put-in and to the prescribed-burn areas. All of this in a 1,067 acre park. The whole time Ranger Aaron kept pointing out what needed to be improved. He had a “why stop at good, let’s make it great!” attitude.

THE BURN AREA really intrigued me. The idea was to do controlled burns to help longleaf pines reestablish themselves by burning the underbrush.

The park was investing a lot of money in establishing a habitat in the long-leafs for an endangered bird species.

It was interesting to watch how the rangers balance tourism and conservation. It’s great to see how important conservation is to them, even if it’s behind the scenes from the public.

BACK TO THE office, I interviewed Ranger Aaron and met the park’s other ranger, Elise Wingo. Although there’s just 2 full-time rangers at Aiken, part-time rangers are hired during peak season.

In my interview I learned

about the pathway to becoming a ranger. Most South Carolina rangers go to Clemson University. Ranger Aaron graduated from Clemson with a Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management and a minor in forestry. After my interview, Ranger Elise and I kayaked the 1.1 mile kayak trail down the peaceful Edisto River.

The put-in ramp has been completely rebuilt since the last time I had been there and looked great. We began talking about the wildlife and the nearby Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve and how she hopes to help establish a habitat for them at Aiken State Park. As we paddled along, we noticed a little head pop up. What was it?

WHEN WE GOT closer we realized it was a beaver. My guide was amazed. She had not seen a beaver at Aiken, but evidence can be seen for them across the park. The rangers constantly tear down their dams. The total kayak trip lasted about an hour and a half around the twists and turns of the Edisto River, the longest free flowing blackwater river in the country. The kayak trail is probably the most popular part of the park.

Ranger Aaron met us at the take-out ramp to take us back to the park office to say our goodbyes. Before leaving, I decided to run the 3-mile Jungle Loop Trail. I was exhausted by the time I left, around 2:30. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn what it’s like to be a park ranger.

Thanks to rangers Aaron Chavous and Elise Wingo for being such great hosts and to Ranger Phil Gaines for setting it up for me. We are lucky to have park rangers like them who are able to balance helping us have a great experience by being excited and friendly, and by helping our forests and wildlife thrive for generations to come through conservation. Much of the conservation happens behind the scenes. Make the short hour drive to Aiken State Natural Area for great fishing, hiking, and kayaking. Know that the rangers are excited to help you or just to chat. Learn more at www.southcarolinaparks.com/aiken .