Meet Ranger and Education Specialist Brian Goodspeed!
I am an education specialist at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. I develop, plan, and lead educational activities related to the Mississippi River where I visit classrooms in person or online, and lead field trips. Sometimes I support larger endeavors, such as teacher workshops or education research.
I have a Bachelors of Science degree in Crops and Soils, and I have a Masters Degree in Agricultural Education. As a student of agriculture I was always intrigued by my coursework in water quality, natural resources, and soil conservation. Once I made the decision to become an agricultural educator, I discovered that the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area was well aligned with my interests. I began working for the National Park Service as a temporary secretary, and since then advanced through multiple positions.
As a veteran park ranger with Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, what are some changes you’ve witnessed since working at the park.
I began working at the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in 2002. At that time, few people knew that the National Park Service was operating within the Twin Cities area. Big River Journey, Birding Boat, and The Singing Ranger were our best known programs. Today we have a significant friends group, the Mississippi Park Connection, and together we operate multiple field trips, online programs, two visitor centers, the Coldwater Spring site, habitat restoration programs, and numerous other activities.
Why should educators be interested in connecting their students with this section of the river? What themes and experiences does this river present for learning opportunities?
The Mississippi River is a tremendous theme for education. It connects nature, science, technology, recreation, history, culture, and beauty to the place where students live. The National Park Service sponsors field trips to give students an opportunity to see a very small portion of the river for themselves, however, the potential for river and watershed related topics in the classroom is vast.
How does the park facilitate getting kids to know more about the river and its programs?
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area uses partnerships, teacher workshops and need-based scholarships to bring the river into classrooms and students to the river. We partner with expert organizations, such as the Minnesota Historical Society, Science Museum of Minnesota, Paddleford Riverboats, Saint Paul Audubon, and others, to create multifaceted field trips and online learning programs. We bring the same partners together to create teacher workshops to support teachers with classroom activities to prepare the students for field trip day. Mississippi Park Connection provides need-based scholarship money to ensure that every school may afford to participate. Big River Journey, Journey to the Falls, Working River, and Take me to the River are examples of field trip programs that both the National Park Service and Mississippi Park Connection host for thousands of students each year.
Can you recommend a must-see destination along the river?
Saint Anthony Falls and the adjacent milling district are a “must see” location. The stone arch bridge crosses the river below the falls and provides a fantastic view. The falling water and visible geologic strata catch one's attention right away. The history of the falls and the city that began with it’s waterpower is a story of national significance. America became a fabulously rich and powerful country, in part, because of the industry that developed there. The area also has multiple green spaces, significant trails, and nearby amenities.