FEATURED STORY
Idaho Dept. of Parks and Rec, Harriman State Park of Idaho
Abigail Rossman '19, Parks and Recreation Ranger
BY MIA CROSS M'03
According to Abigail Rossman ’19, state park rangers truly are jacks of all trades. “There are days where you can be an educator, a plumber and a first responder all within an eight-hour period of time.”
A graduate of FSU majoring in wildlife and fisheries, Rossman has settled in northeastern Idaho in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and makes her living as a Parks and Recreation ranger for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation in the Harriman State Park of Idaho complex, which consists of Harriman State Park, Ashton-Tetonia Rail Trail, Mesa Falls and Henry’s Lake State Park.
“Aside from having a job immersed in such an incredible and unique environment, this job has provided me with exceptional recreational opportunities outside of work, being no more than a two-hour drive from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Caribou-Targhee and Bridger-Teton National Forests, and countless other local attractions,” said Rossman. “While I had to leave a lot of my friends and family back east, they’ve all been super supportive of me following my dreams and are always eager to come visit!”
FSU’s Wildlife and Fisheries program helped lay the foundation and fueled Rossman’s excitement to be involved in natural resources management and to be a champion of the outdoors. “A lot of labs in the program are very hands-on, which really helped me with knowledge retention as well as practicality in relating coursework back to the real world.”
Outside of the classroom, Rossman credits her time in Alpha Phi Omega and her employment at the Lane University Center with opportunities to have public interactions that have transferred into her career.
However, being a park ranger isn’t all sunshine and spectacular views. Like most natural resources-related jobs, funding can be a huge challenge. “Caring so much for a place and feeling like you don’t have the tools to be a proper steward can be discouraging, but also creates a unique challenge to still get a job done with what little resources are available.”
When asked what advice she would give to current and future students hoping to pursue a career in the outdoors, Rossman said to start early, say yes and volunteer whenever possible. “Careers in natural resources often require a lot of time in seasonal positions. Be prepared to spend anywhere from five to 10 seasons, at a minimum, before landing a permanent job. Growth to permanent positions is easiest when you’re eager, willing to learn and adaptable.”
At the park she works in currently, Rossman has had the opportunity to delve into community connections and outreach, which she says is her favorite part of the job. “Being able to share my passion for outdoor recreation with park visitors and help foster community relationships are incredibly rewarding for me.”
What the future holds for Ranger Rossman is anybody’s guess, but she knows she doesn’t want to stop growing and leading in this field. “Whether in parks management or a different role, I feel like I’d be most fulfilled in a position where I get to work with and mentor others who share the same passion as me.”
For more information about FSU’s B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries or Recreation and Parks Management, visit https://www.frostburg.edu/academics/index.php.