Yellowstone to Denali (PDF)

If you are interested in reading about what National Park Rangers do, you will enjoy the 45 short stories in this book. If you are preparing for and contemplating a career as a National Park Ranger, you absolutely need to own and study this book. The competition for the few permanent park ranger jobs each year is horrendous. Yellowstone to Denali provides the “inside” information on how to be a leader in the pack. This book is intended to help those desiring a professional outdoor career as a National Park Ranger by providing some of my experiences as a field ranger and park superintendent in six parks and seven states. Included is a brief history of the ranger profession, the qualifications required today to become a ranger, and recommended college major courses of study that offer the best opportunity to be selected for a position. Also included are recommendations for future ranger qualification standards, and valuable information to effectively compete and become a temporary or permanent National Park Ranger. Ray Newton, the former national coordinator for Reader’s Digest Writing Workshops comments below on Clay Cunningham’s book: “It's not often that a personal reminiscence does much more than gratify the ego of the person who wrote it. But that's not true of Clay Cunningham's "Yellowstone to Denali." In fact, this dominantly anecdotal book could well be used in workshops, conferences and classes for persons interested in careers with the National Park Service or any other agency that manages natural resources. Cunningham managed to compress his 30 + year career with the NPS into 150 pages of insightful narrative about some of the most scenic sites and sights in North America. What's more, his tales, told episodically, are often funny or witty--and always educational. For instance, his description of thinning a bison herd in North Dakota would be a great comedy sitcom. So would the tale of the "Great Snake Bust." And his chapter detailing his experiences in New York and New Jersey simply confirms what many of us already thought of the rampant bureaucracy that runs rampant in the East. Most important, Cunningham proves realistic, sometimes hard-nosed counsel about what it's like to be an administrator in one of the government's visible--and controversial--agencies. His non-fiction book is a fun read, but one with sound lessons about life with the NPS.” For more information contact Clay Cunningham’s Web site: www.rangerinstitute.com