Junior Rodriguez, stationed at Tyler State Park’s new headquarters, looks forward to welcoming guests and sharing stories of the outdoors. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

As Tyler State Park welcomes its newest Park Interpreter, Junior Rodriguez is eager to share his passion for nature with visitors.

With a love for the outdoors and a knack for storytelling, Rodriguez aims to connect people with the park’s hidden wonders, inviting everyone to explore and appreciate the beauty surrounding them.

“A park ranger interpreter is essentially a storyteller,” Rodriguez said. “So when we are out on the trails or whether we’re out in the park, I’m telling you a story… about wildlife or the history of the park.”

A park ranger interpreter specializes in educating visitors about the natural, cultural, and historical features of a park. They conduct programs, guided tours, and demonstrations to help visitors understand and appreciate the park’s resources, wildlife, and conservation efforts. Their role often involves storytelling, leading educational activities, and fostering a connection between the public and the environment.

“I’m essentially sharing information and illustrating a story because sometimes you may not be able to see the animals on the trail,” Rodriguez explained. “If there are tracks, or remnants of them, I can tell you what animal it belongs to. And along the trail if we have some landmarks, I would tell you the history of the landmarks.”

Originally from Fort Worth, Rodriguez began his college journey focused on engineering — a path he pursued throughout high school. However, he soon realized that it wasn’t his true calling.

“All my life I’ve always been involved in the outdoors,” he said. “I’ve been involved in fishing and hunting and just being out with the wildlife. I’ve always been attracted to it.”

His love for the outdoors began at a young age; he recalls fishing with his grandparents when he was just five and starting deer hunting at seven. His experiences included land management, helping his grandparents cultivate crops and care for the land.

“My first introduction to T.P.W.D. (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) was a game warden coming in for a career fair,” Rodriguez recalled. “I was like ‘wow! I wanna be that!’ My mind was blown.”

He transferred from Texas A&M to Tarrant County College to complete his basic courses. While back home, he took a position at the local YMCA, which introduced him to the joy of education through working with kids and sparked his interest in community involvement.

“At this point I was already on track earning my wildlife degree,” Rodriguez said. “So, I thought ‘why not combine wildlife and education?’” He eventually graduated from Tarleton State University with a degree in Wildlife, Sustainability, and Ecosystem Sciences. He then began his career at the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, where he worked part-time as a natural scientist assistant.

“I got to experience a lot… I had a lot of creative freedom,” Rodriguez said. He took on various roles, including kayak and canoe instructor, as well as leading hikes and preschool discovery classes.

“One of the things about being in the wildlife program… is that you learn to explore outside your comfort zone,” Rodriguez noted.

Initially hesitant about his paddling skills — both kayaking and canoeing — he faced his fears head-on.

“I told them at the interview that I was afraid of the water,” Rodriguez recalled. “But today, I love being in the water. I’ve been able to get out of my comfort zone and explore being in the water. It’s the same with bugs … I used to not have a strong affinity towards bugs but now I’ll gather some and educate others.”

As he gained knowledge and experience, he felt ready to take the next step and apply for the role of park interpreter at Tyler State Park. Although he has only been in this position for a few weeks, Rodriguez already feels at home.

“The transition here has been great,” he said. “Everybody here has been wonderful. I took a risk when I moved to Tyler — since all of my friends and family are back in Fort Worth — but I don’t feel alone when I come to work. I feel welcomed, like I’m a part of their family. They definitely have included me in a lot.”

Rodriguez has hit the ground running in his role at Tyler State Park, implementing new initiatives and programs, such as “Coffee or Fishing with a Ranger” and collaborating with the SCPA and Parks and Recreation to hike with shelter dogs, raising awareness about adoption.

“My project is basically collaborating with the community,” he said. “I’m trying to create these community ties or nurture the already existing ones that we have here. So one of my initiatives is just to keep that community going.”

Above all, Rodriguez finds his greatest joy in teaching others about the natural world and fostering a deeper appreciation for the environment.

“Interacting with the community is my favorite part of the day,” he said. “It could just be me walking outside and I’m talking to a random stranger or it could be me leading a hike or a class. It’s my favorite because you’re not always going to get the same interaction. It’s a great thing.”

For more information about Tyler State Park and the latest events, visit the park on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TylerStatePark or go to https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/tyler . The park is located at 789 Park Rd. 16, Tyler.