My Park Story: Nick Nyquist

Nick at the start of his guided hike to Hanging Gardens.

NPS/Nick Nyquist

Where are you from? What was your pathway to the National Park Service (NPS)?

My father led the way when he was an NPS Park Ranger at Wahweap and Lee’s Ferry, Arizona, not far from where I am now working. My pathway was a long one. I served as a backcountry ranger with the United Nations in post-civil war Mozambique, spent four years in Mongolia working on coal-fired power plant replacement, and was responsible for the performance and safety of international electoral observation teams in post-Khmer Rouge rural Cambodia, also for the UN. For many years I published a magazine regarding the archeological sites at Angkor Wat, doing writing and photography (using regular old Kodachrome film). Only upon returning to USA, did I realize that my work experiences could be a good fit with NPS.

What interested you in the National Park Service?

I grew up in an NPS family, so initially I wanted to do something different! It took a few years to finally see the light! It’s like coming home.

What do you do for NPS?

Volunteer Interpretive Ranger at the Carl Hayden Visitors Center at Glen Canyon Dam, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Arizona.

What do you find most rewarding about your job?

Long years of study were required to master Japanese, Portuguese and French languages. Now I get to use these skills while assisting our non-English speaking visitors. They have little opportunity to interact with locals during their travels, due to the language barrier. Their smiles are an unexpected reward. Sometimes after I provide local orientation, each person in a group will formally shake my hand. “It’s marvelous to be speaking French” someone said the other day, clearly moved. I suddenly got goosebumps when I heard that.

Large crowds show up to learn from Nick about the wonders of Hanging Gardens.

NPS/Nick Nyquist

How has Glen Canyon sparked a connection with something or someone important to you?

Once we can speak the same language, a connection is sparked, smiles appear. I get this connection everyday while assisting our visitors from other countries. It’s wonderful.

What advice do you have for youth and young adults thinking about a career at NPS?

Stop thinking and start doing! You will learn so much about NPS by volunteering. And enjoy it! The time that I have spent as a volunteer has changed me and improved me. The same will happen to you! Go to www.volunteer.gov or contact your nearest NPS office.

Do you have any hobbies outside of the NPS?

Bicycling, Italian motorcycles, Brazilian music, Italian films. Oh, and old vinyl records. And learning to speak Italian. And Botany.

Do you remember the first park you visited?

Grand Canyon when I was a few months old. We were residing in NPS staff housing at Wupatki National Monument at the time, so it wasn’t a lengthy epic journey to get there. Can’t recall a thing!

What is your background? College? Study?

Master’s degree obtained in Berlin, Germany.

What does it mean to represent your community?

As a kid, Glen Canyon Dam was a big deal. Huge! Exciting! It is a total privilege to be here and represent, not only Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the NPS, but also my childhood homes of Page and Lee’s Ferry to the 3-6000 people who enter our visitors center every day. It means the world to me and is an enormous responsibility.