Ouabache is so fortunate to have not one but two individuals that serve as the park’s interpretive naturalists. Combining their strengths, they coordinate activities for visitors.
They conduct lectures, guide hikers through the trails, visit campers during campground round abouts and conduct guided tours of Ouabache for school groups.
Rose Nevil, a Van Buren native, was introduced to Ouabache when she took the Indiana Master Naturalist class sponsored by the Friends group.
She volunteered at the park and was hired as a seasonal worker and gate attendant. This spring, she moved up into the park naturalist position.
Bret Dausch graduated from Norwell High School and was also a seasonal gate attendant and office worker while attending Purdue Fort Wayne, majoring in sociology.
Nevil and Dausch decided on the team approach to the position. Nevil will concentrate on the educational content, and Dausch will create activities that support the lessons. They are at Ouabache mainly on weekends, offering a variety of opportunities for visitors to participate in. During the week, they can be seen on select days assisting in group educational tours and preparing for the next weekend’s activities.
Challenges come in different forms.
“I am an introvert,” Nevil said.. “I am challenged every time it is required to speak to a group of people, especially on campground rounds. It is getting easier each time I do it.”
“I find it pretty easy so far to speak to people,” Dausch said, “but I am challenged with crowd control issues.”
Dausch hopes the attendance numbers keep increasing so he can cultivate ways to interact with people when there is a large crowd.
The easiest part of the job is different for each.
“I just love being out in nature. This is where I am comfortable. The love of nature started in high school FFA Wildlife Judging and being on my grandparents’ farm,” Nevil said. “My love grew from there, and I kept learning about the natural world. I am continually learning new and interesting things!”
“It is so easy to talk about my passion,” Dausch said. “I have a positive attitude and I’m definitely people-oriented. I strive to make people feel welcome and give them as much information as I can.”
Both naturalists find it difficult because there is no permanent place to hold lessons and displays. Everything must be portable and easily setup. Some activities are restricted due to having to be held completely outside.
Both are excited about the possibility of the development of a visitors’ center.
“I am jealous of other parks’ nature centers,” Nevil said. “The weather is a big factor that we deal with daily. I hate to cancel events due to heavy rain.”
“I am not looking forward to those extreme heat days,” Dausch said. “They present a whole set of problems.”
Nevil and Dausch are busy planning the summer season events.
“I can’t wait until the IMN Jr/Teen camp in June. That is the highlight of the summer for me,” Nevil said. “I love being with the kids and helping them experience nature and its wonders!”
“Christmas in July is going to be so much fun!” Dausch said.
His eyes twinkled as he talked about different activities in the works.
“I love anything dealing with Christmas and celebrating it in July is going to have its challenges, like who wants to drink hot chocolate in July!”
Nevil and Dausch will be on staff until the end of October. Both are busy attending college and juggling various schedules. Ouabache is so fortunate to have two enthusiastic individuals to spearhead our interpretive education positions.
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