The Cavers of Carlsbad

10 Oct The Cavers of Carlsbad

“As we Americans celebrate our diversity, so we must affirm our unity if we are to remain the ‘one nation’ to which we pledge allegiance. Such great national symbols and meccas as the Liberty Bell, the battlefields on which our independence was won and our union preserved, the Lincoln Memorial, the Statue of Liberty, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and numerous other treasures of our national park system belong to all of us, both legally and spiritually. These tangible evidences of our cultural and natural heritage help make us all Americans.” – Edwin C. Bearss NPS Chief Historian 1981-1994

The National Parks are diverse similar to the people that work in live in the parks themselves. While the primary goal of the National Park Service is stewardship of the land, the people that the National Park Service employs are also invaluable resources. Many men and women work countless hours across the nation in parks to educate the public, maintain the park, and continue valuable research. Carlsbad Caverns is an extraordinary place not only for the beautiful formations its boasts underground but also for the dedicated and knowledgeable guides, rangers, and scientists it has the honor of employing. In the few short weeks I have been at the park for my internship, I have come to love the staff as much as the park itself.

Jenna Crabtree- Night Skies Assistant- Mosaics in Science Intern

“Men Argue. Nature Acts.” -Voltaire

Howdy! My name is Jenna Crabtree, and I am from Jenks, Oklahoma, a small town outside of Tulsa. I am pursuing a double Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and Renewable Natural Resources with a focus on regulation and compliance from Texas A&M University. I am a senior by hours, but my expected graduation date is December 2024. After graduation, I would either like to pursue a career with the National Park Service or attend graduate school at the University of Colorado, located in Boulder, Colorado.

I applied for the internship at Carlsbad Caverns National Park to further my love of caving and to have the opportunity to spend more time in my favorite National Park. I am an avid believer and supporter of conservation and preservation principles; being the Night Skies Assistant allows me to put those values into practice daily. Before applying for the position at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, I completed relevant coursework at Texas A&M, such as: Astronomy, Planet Earth, Planet Earth Lab, Exploring Ecosystems Science and Management, Introduction to Environmental Geosciences, US Environmental Regulations, Resources and the Environment, Environmental Ethics, Ecology, and Ecology Lab. These courses gave me a conglomerate base of knowledge necessary to produce Standard Operating Procedures for data collection in regards to the night sky, work with employees across divisions to solve project issues, and understand Earth’s various processes and how they interact with one another.

At Texas A&M University, I have participated in many facets of student life. During my freshman and sophomore years, I was a member of the Corps of Cadets Delta Company, the veteran outfit. I was the first female guidon of the unit and was presented with the Outstanding Freshman and Sophomore Award. Additionally, I was a member of the O.R. Simpson Honor Society and the Corps of Cadets’ Women’s Soccer team. In my Sophomore year in the Corps of Cadets, I was the Public Affairs Corporal and managed the unit’s social media and was tasked with recruiting donors for the unit’s future endeavors. Additionally, I am the Secretary for the Aggie Speleological Society and the Aggie Grotto affiliate. I manage the social media for the club, send out emails on behalf of the officer team, assist with vertical training, and overall aid in the club’s organization. I enjoy working towards our shared goal of getting students underground and exposing them to the beautiful world of caving in a safe, controlled manner. I have been employed for over two years with the Department of Residence Life as a Twenty-four Hour Desk Student Coordinator, predominately on the Northside of campus. When on duty, I manage the keys and access cards for twelve dorms and assist students, visitors, and parents with questions regarding the University, campus, and student life. Outside of school, I have been employed by the United States Army Reserve as a Religious Affairs Specialist going on six years. I work alongside a Chaplain to support soldiers’ spiritual and mental fitness in various ways.

Outside of school and work, I have various interests that keep me busy. I love the outdoors, so I am generally interested in any activity that takes place outside, such as hiking, trail running, climbing/bouldering, caving, and camping. Some outdoor goals of mine are to summit Guadalupe Peak, complete the Texas Cavers Trail, and complete the entirety of the Lonestar Trail in East Texas in one try. When I’m indoors, I enjoy reading, crocheting, embroidery, sewing, quilting, candle-making, and putting my barista skills to the test. In addition, I am interested in rocks/minerals, National Geographic magazines, and vinyl records; I have decent collections of all three displayed in my living room.

Devon Miller

“Exist in the present moment and spend time in nature.” – Devon Miller

1.What is your hometown?

Pittsburgh, PA

2..Did you attend a University or College? If so what degrees did you obtain?

Slippery Rock University with a double major in Environmental Geoscience and Environmental Philosophy

3.What National Parks have you previously worked at?

Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Effigy Mounds National Monument, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

4.What do you do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park?

Interpretive Ranger

5. What is your favorite thing about working at Carlsbad Caverns National Park or your favorite moment working here?

While on an employee tour to the Hall of the White Giants I was passing through Matlock’s pinch. There was a moment where I knew I could either choose to panic or have clarity about the situation. Once I chose clarity, I realized that I wanted to be a caver and continue to cave.

6.Why did you originally want to work for the National Parks Service?

Simply put, I get paid to be outside.

Jakob Schnur

“I go to wilderness to recharge the soul, answer impossible questions, and to connect to the world around me.” – Jakob Schnur

1.What is your hometown?

New Tripoli, PA

2. Did you attend a University or College? If so what degrees did you obtain?

Slippery Rock University, PA

Undergrad: Parks, Conservation, and Resource Management with a minor in Adventure Fitness

Masters: Environmental Education

Certificate in Sustainability; Certified Interpretive Guide with the National Association of Interpreters (NAI)

3. What National Parks have you previously worked at?

Indiana Dunes National Park and Carlsbad Caverns National Parks

4.What do you do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park?

Interpretive Ranger

5.What is your favorite thing about working at Carlsbad Caverns National Park or your favorite moment working here?

Being a steward to our public lands.

6.Why did you originally want to work for the National Parks Service?

I really enjoy being a public servant and being around nature.

Mark Abetz

“As Interpreters our mission is to facilitate connections with our parks. I believe and I hope people walk away with is that we are not separate from our environment. When we come to places like Carlsbad Caverns National Park we are coming home.” – Mark Abetz

1.What is your hometown?

Farafax, VA

2.Did you attend a University or College? If so what degrees did you obtain?

Northern Virginia Community College

3.What National Parks have you previously worked at?

Grand Teton National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Colorado National Monument, Chiricahua National Monument, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Glacier Bay National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Haleakala National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Saguaro National Park, El Malpais National Conservation Area, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park.

4.What do you do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park?

Interpretive and Education Supervisor as well as the park’s Outreach Coordinator

5.What is your favorite thing about working at Carlsbad Caverns National Park or your favorite moment working here?

In 2022 I led the first unofficial bat flight program of the season shortly after I started here. I volunteered to wait at the mouth of Carlsbad Cavern to see if the bats had come to roost for the summer. To my surprise as well as a dozen visitors, there were a large amount of bats that exited the cave shortly before sunset.

6.Why did you originally want to work for the National Parks Service?

I enjoy the National Parks and what they offer as much as anybody does. I believe it’s an amazing opportunity to get paid and share the outdoors with others.

Sage Moya

“You should become a park ranger you’d get paid to hike and pick up trash at the same time.” – Sage’s friend

1.What is your hometown?

Detroit, MI/Marine City, MI

2. Did you attend a University or College? If so what degrees did you obtain?

Kansas State University/Aquinas College B.S. Biology

3. What National Parks have you previously worked at?

Pompey’s Pillar National Monument, Everglades National Park, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park

4. What do you do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park?

Interpretive Ranger

5. .What is your favorite thing about working at Carlsbad Caverns National Park or your favorite moment working here?

I really like the animals of the desert. My favorite are Ringtails and obviously the bats.

6.Why did you originally want to work for the National Parks Service?

I wanted to work with animals and the outdoors. Many of my hobbies involve being outside and enjoying nature such as picking up litter on trails and hiking.

Riannon Colton

“You have to have fun in caves even if you’re not having fun.” -Riannon

1.What is your hometown?

Marietta, GA

2.Did you attend a University or College? If so what degrees did you obtain?

Georgia Institute of Technology; B.S. Earth and Atmospheric Sciences

3.What National Parks have you previously worked at?

Buffalo National River and Jewel Cave National Monument

4.What do you do at Carlsbad Caverns National Park?

Scientist in the Parks Intern; Cave Resource Management Assistant

5.What is your favorite thing about working at Carlsbad Caverns National Park or your favorite moment working here?

I really enjoy all of the opportunities to cave within the park. Whether it’s Carlsbad Cavern itself, or one of the backcountry caves I just really enjoy being underground.

6.Why did you originally want to work for the National Parks Service?

I was looking for a fun educational experience between undergrad and graduate school. I love caves and I love science and this was the best of both worlds. Growing up my parents took my brother and I to National Parks every summer. It’s a really cool opportunity to give back to an organization that inspired me to pursue my major.