The 2015 SIRs at the new footbridge at Cumberland Mountain State Park in Crossville
Tennessee State Parks announced the participants for the 2015 Seasonal Interpretive Recreators (SIR) program.SIRs provide interpretive programs such as guided tours, hikes, slide shows, demonstrations, campfires and other outdoor activities for park visitors during the peak season, which is late spring through summer.
Most of the summer staff are still in college studying natural resource, recreation, history, or biology-related fields.
Tennessee State Parks offers a one week intense training in interpretive techniques. The goal is to help visitors build emotional and intellectual connections to the park. Based upon Freeman Tilden's Principles of Interpretation, participants learn to develop thematic programs on the primary and secondary park themes.
“Tennessee State Parks are extremely lucky to have SIR’s each year, with some returning year after year. Their passion and drive is what makes for such an exciting summer at our parks,” said Brock Hill, TDEC Deputy Commissioner for Parks and Conservation. “From guided hikes to children’s programs, the SIR’s plan and implement our interpretive program schedules, and make them fun and successful.”
SIRs also work closely with the park rangers to assure that park facilities, buildings, grounds and equipment are safe and secure. As most full-time state park rangers start out as SIRs, this program provides a great starting point for a state parks career.
Following is a list, by region, of all 2015 Seasonal Interpretive Recreators.
West Tennessee
Fort Pillow State Park – Lindsey Bowie
Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park – Rachel Ramaswamy
Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park – Destiny Greenarch
Paris Landing State Park – Regina Lowry
Pickwick Landing State Park – Ann Paley
Pickwick Landing State Park – Morgan Sanders
Pinson Mounds State Archaeological Area – Corey Bedwell
Reelfoot Lake State Park – Gina Beckman
Reelfoot Lake State Park – Michael Beasley
Reelfoot Lake State Park – Tel Glenn
Middle Tennessee
Alvin C. York State Park – Brandon Plunk
Bledsoe Creek State Park – Abigail Morrison
Burgess Falls State Park – David Brady
Cedars of Lebanon State Park – Michael Bunting
Cumberland Mountain State Park – April Shelton
Cummins Falls State Park – Morgin Arms
Cummins Falls State Park – Sean McElhiney
David Crockett State Park – Colton Garner
Dunbar Cave State Park – Kala Downey
Edgar Evins State Park – Tyler Steven Coleman
Fall Creek Falls State Park – Logan McCormack
Henry Horton State Park – Chelsey Mims
Henry Horton State Park – Jesse Jewell
Long Hunter State Park – Nia Davis
Montgomery Bell State Park – Julia Cruce
Montgomery Bell State Park – Matthew Grimes
Mousetail Landing State Park – Todd Childress
Natchez Trace State Park – Cody Black
Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park – Rachel Grigsby
Radnor Lake State Natural Area – Alexander Kenney
South Cumberland State Park – Eric Metz
Standing Stone State Park – Russell Fulcher
Tim’s Ford State Park – Nancy Lilly
East Tennessee
Indian Mountain State Park – Stewart McNealy
Warrior’s Path State Park – Benjamin A. Smith
Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site – Gillian Roberts
Red Clay State Park – Luke Mason
Seven Islands State Birding Park – Nicholas Mann
Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park – Heather Pell
Cove Lake State Park – Jordan Cross
Cove Lake State Park – Kayley Kempton
Fort Loudon State Park – Will Tarver
Booker T. Washington State Park – Ben Jones
Norris Dam State Park – Brittany Perryman
Big Ridge State Park – Daniel Adkisson
Norris Dam State Park – Jazmine Kennedy
Roan Mountain State Park – Joe Nowotarski
Pickett State Park – Jonathan Asberry
Harrison Bay State Park – Linda Burton
Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park – Tanner Wells
Tennessee's 56 state parks offer diverse natural, recreational and cultural experiences for individuals, families or business and professional groups. State park features range from pristine natural areas to 18-hole championship golf courses. For additional information, visit the website at www.tnstateparks.com. For more information about the SIR program, please email Nancy Dorman at nancy.dorman@tn.gov or call (615) 532-0039.