Fresh Face: Robert Townsend

The ranger ranks at Lake James State Park have grown, thanks to the recent hire of Robert Townsend. While he’s excited to join the staff here, Robert only has a short time before he sets off on his 18-week Basic Law Enforcement training and state exam; the first of many “hats” he will earn on his way to becoming a fully functioning member of the team.

Robert is a native of western North Carolina, born and raised in nearby Black Mountain. He remained in Buncombe County for his postsecondary education, earning degrees in biology and ecological forestry at Warren Wilson College.

“I had great experiences visiting the state and national parks as I was growing up,” he said. “I’ve just always wanted to be outside in the woods.”

After graduating, Robert found his way to the state parks system by landing employment at Chimney Rock. He worked at Chimney Rock State Park as an assistant ranger before taking a position with the private attraction LLC as a trail guide. Both experiences showed him a pathway to his dream job growing up of becoming a park ranger. “It combines all of my interests into one job,” he explained.

“Getting through the next two years of training to get all of the certifications that are required to be a NC park ranger is going to be a challenge,” said Robert. In addition to law enforcement certification, North Carolina park rangers are required to be certified in search and rescue, emergency medical responder, environmental educator and wildland firefighting. “But I’m starting a career that I’m actually really excited about.”