Rangers Visit Johnston Elementary

Ranger Gail Fox answers a question from a student.

By Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Department

Did you know that there are 418 parks in the National Park System? How about the length of the Blue Ridge Parkway – 469 miles?

Fourth-graders at Johnston Elementary School learned that and much more on Thursday when two U.S. Forest Service rangers came to talk about the Blue Ridge Parkway and the National Park Service. They handed out parkway maps, shared beautiful pictures, and shared stories of animal sightings and their love of the outdoors.

“We’re looking to introduce the next generation to what a national park is, who it belongs to, and why they’re so important,” said Ranger Greg Mitchell.

He and Ranger Gail Fox will visit Johnston fourth-graders several times over the next five months to connect classroom topics to the national parks system. In April, the students will take a field trip to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

“We talk about North Carolina history – Cherokee and early pioneers and the construction of the parkway,” she said. “We talk about rocks and minerals, fossils, and animal adaptations. It’s a great partnership, and it gets the kids excited to come out and visit us.”

“It builds community,” Mitchell added. “During the summer, I’ll have a kid see me during the summer at the Parkway Visitor Center. And he’ll have his whole family there, and he’ll say ‘hey, Ranger Greg!’ That means we’ve reached them and gotten them excited about their national parks.”

Fourth-grade teacher Terri Downing’s said her students really enjoyed their visit from Ranger Fox.

“I think they’re getting an appreciation for the area they live in,” she said. “They’re learning about the parks and some of the people who work in their community, and they’re learning North Carolina standards. It’s a recipe for success.”

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