Appalachian State’s National Park Service Liaison
The Appalachian State University Liaison to the National Park Service (NPS) is the central contact for initiatives that partner Appalachian with NPS units across the United States. The NPS Liaison promotes opportunities (e.g., service projects and task agreements) that will mutually benefit University students, faculty/staff, and alumni, as well as NPS units. Past projects have partnered members of the Appalachian community with NPS natural/cultural resource personnel, NPS interpreters, and NPS educational initiatives.
This partnership has provided more than $300,000 for paid internship experiences at National Parks since 2013, benefitting >30 Appalachian State students and graduates.
This position is currently vacant. To learn more about our partnership with the National Park Service, please contact the College of Arts and Sciences at cas@appstate.edu or (828) 262-3078.
News
- Appalachian State has entered a five-year agreement with NPS Youth and Young Adult Programs Division. The program will allow for NPS units to partner with App State on individual task agreements that utilize the knowledge and expertise of our students and recent graduates. Read the announcement here, and stay tuned as this program takes off during 2025.
- The January 31 episode of "The Appalachian Outdoorsity Podcast," hosted by Dr. Joy James and Dr. Becki Battista, features an interview with Madi Heater and Nick Perkins, NPS Trust college ambassadors and students at App State. Listen to it here.
Rough Ridge Rovers
About
The National Park Service periodically recruits interested volunteers for a program based along the Rough Ridge area of the Tanawha Trail, near milepost 303 in the vicinity of Blowing Rock, North Carolina, on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The goal of this new volunteer role is to educate park visitors about recreating responsibly for their own safety, as well as that of globally rare species found in this area. The rocky outcrops at Rough Ridge are home to critically imperiled plant species that are commonly trampled by park visitors who venture into closed areas for photos and views.
Appalachian State student volunteers will gain environmental education experience while helping to preserve the ecosystem they know and love. Volunteers will be provided with training, a volunteer uniform, and all equipment needed to complete their roving assignment successfully.
Duties
Rough Ridge Rover volunteers will be asked to spend a minimum of one, 3–4-hour shift per week on the trail through the busy summer and fall season talking to park visitors, answering questions, and serving as an important on-site presence.
Skills
Ideal volunteers should enjoy working with people, have a basic knowledge of Appalachian plants, animals, and the park itself, and feel comfortable working independently on-trail, away from their vehicle for several hours at a time.