National Park Week

Date: April 16, 2011
Contact: Joe Zagorski, [phone]

The Obed Wild and Scenic River recently celebrated National Park Week in April with several fun and educational activities. The park sponsored a Flora and Fauna Walk along the Emory River Nature Trail on Saturday, April 23rd. Leading the walk was naturalist Kris Light of Oak Ridge.

During the course of National Park Week, two Wartburg Central High School teachers – Zandy Knox and Jennifer Sexton – took an active part in teaching their students about the mission of the National Park Service and the importance of the Obed Wild and Scenic River. This past summer, Knox and Sexton worked at the Obed as part of the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program. This special program allows teachers to work as park rangers in the summer. During that time, both Knox and Sexton developed a series of education curriculum projects for the Obed. The two teachers then returned to their classrooms in the fall to discuss what they learned about the National Park Service with their students. During National Park Week, both teachers donned their ranger uniforms once again, and presented their own summer projects to their students. This school year marked the first year that the Obed Wild and Scenic River has participated in the Teacher-Ranger-Teacher program.