Meet the Social Media Team

Have you ever wondered who's behind the initials in parenthesis after each and every post we share? Meet our social media team!

 

Social Media Team Author (kf)

(kf)

Kelly walked up to an interpretive ranger in 8th grade and asked her what she would have to do to get this job when she was older. Working for state parks and nature centers around the country helped her to finally reach her goal as a National Park Service ranger at the C&O Canal in 2009. Every day is something new and different as she works with mules, replica historic canal boats, wildlife and most importantly visitors! Kelly continues to expand her knowledge of the area as she works on her Masters of Environmental Biology. Kelly loves being on the social media team because it allows her to help connect the great resources of the park with visitors and people who hope to visit someday.

 

Social Media Team Author (ld)

(ld)

Lisa is a transplant from the Southwest most recently from Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. While she loves walking and bike riding on the shady towpath, she misses the dry heat of the desert. "Green is a soothing color. The desert has so many reds and browns it's nice to be able to experience the many shades of green found along the canal. However, I could do without the gnats and humidity. Still, this is a special place and I enjoy sharing it with others." When not in her office she enjoys leading education programs and operating the new replica launch boat interpretive program along the canal.

 

Social Media Team Author (rj)

(rj)

The C&O Canal is the first and only national park Rebecca has worked at, but she is constantly surprised by the fact that every day she learns something new about the park's history and its resources. She works as a park ranger at the Great Falls Tavern visitor center and enjoys working as a boat crew member, talking to visitors and working with the different volunteer programs at the canal.

Rebecca feels that each mile of towpath and every canal town, lockhouse, visitor center and canal structure is unique. All of the park volunteers, staff members and visitors have their own understanding of the park's meaning and value. Being a part of the social media team allows her to find ways to weave all of these different opportunities and different perspectives into something that can connect park users along the entire length of the Canal so that everyone can share their experiences and keep up with the latest park news.

 

Social Media Team Author (hl)

(hl)

Ask Hollie why she's part of the social media team and she'll explain how it connects two of her favorite things, education and the C&O Canal. While studying to become a school teacher, Hollie continued to return to the C&O Canal each summer through college, enjoying days of leading interpretive programs, meeting interesting visitors and hiking the Paw Paw Tunnel.

"It's amazing how many people I've met along the towpath from all over the world, all of whom are amazed with some aspect of the canal." Social media provides a unique educational venue to share canal stories with park visitors and for them to share their stories with us. "I like to think of the park as a big "classroom" where opportunities for learning are endless. I certainly feel like I learn something new every day!"

 

Social Media Team Author (eh)

(eh)

Emily grew up in New Orleans and graduated from Texas A&M University at Galveston. Currently she is working on a master's degree in Recreation & Parks Management from Frostburg State University. She worked three years as a seasonal for the C&O in Williamsport and Hancock before joining the Division of Interpretation, Education & Partnerships. Emily enjoys kayaking, camping, traveling, and playing ultimate frisbee. She is a Volunteer Coordinator for the park and can be reached at 301-491-7309 or [e-mail].

 

Social Media Team Author (ph)

(ph)

Patty has one two passions in life: History and nature. Growing up in beautiful Savannah, GA she luckily experienced both. Surrounded by coastal salt marshes, barrier islands, and near the Atlantic Ocean, Patty was fishing at age three, hiking the wetlands at eight, and volunteering for the Humane Society at thirteen. She grew up religiously watching "Wild Kingdom," and decided that, while all animals are special, wildlife was her passion and so hopes to one day become a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Patty holds both a Baccalaureate and Master's degree in History, and was fortunate to begin her NPS career at Fort Pulaski, N.M. where she learned historical and living history interpretations. Three years later she joined the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal permanent staff, where she hopes to once again combine her two best loves. Her goal for the social media page is to add a little touch of "historical flavor."

 

Social Media Team Author (bs)

(bs)

Brian, a Chambersburg, Pennsylvania native, graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture and a minor in geography. Upon graduation, he served in the Peace Corps in Honduras as a municipal development volunteer where he taught English and assisted municipalities in the planning of parks projects. In his free time Brian enjoys backpacking, running, and gardening. Brian became an SCA intern in July and will be assisting the park in volunteer coordination, graphic design, and social media.

 

Social Media Content Author

(el)

Emily is a recent graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She has a degree in English with a minor in Environmental Studies. She came to the park as a Climate Change Communication intern with the Center for Urban Ecology and George Mason University and is now working as the Hydrogeologist intern in the Natural Resources division. She has a dog named "Bandit" and enjoys taking him hiking and camping whenever she can. Emily is looking forward to sharing ideas on reducing the effects of climate change and how to protect our park's natural resources!

 

Social Media Content Author (ja)

JA

(ja)

John, a Frostburg, Maryland native, is a Certified Safety Professional and graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor's degree in Fire Protection Engineering. Since his family loved the outdoors, he spent a lot of time as a child at the C&O Canal fishing, hiking, and biking and made countless canoe trips down the Potomac River. John became a proud member of the C&O Canal staff in 2010 as the Safety Officer. He has over 30 years safety experience in both government and private industry. His background in the government includes developing and managing safety programs for Veterans Administration, DOD, and DOE. His private industry experience includes over 14 years in the mining industry. John loves everything about being outside. Hiking and biking are his favorite activities, but what he really loves is meeting and talking with our visitors and working with our wonderful groups of volunteers. Without the volunteers, our park would not be as great as it is. Enjoy, but be safe.