Finding My Path to the Outdoors

By Haddy Bayo, Park Ranger, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Haddy became a fulltime seasonal park ranger at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in 2020.

I started the path that led me to my current position a bit later than one would expect. I grew up in Gambia, where I spent most of my time outdoors. However, I lost that connection to nature when I was plopped in the middle of the Minnesota suburbs. It wasn’t until I was 16 that I was able to reconnect with the outdoors through the Voyageurs National Park Teen Ambassador program. I discovered spaces I didn’t even know existed and recreation activities I’d never tried, like camping and paddling. This experience reaffirmed my love of nature. Yet, I still didn’t consider it as a career, perhaps due to the kinds of people I saw representing the field.

The following summer, I participated in a fellowship program through Mississippi Park Connection in partnership with the National Park Service, which made me realize I could pursue a career in the outdoors. Through these environmental education programs, I learned what kinds of jobs were available and gained confidence that I could do them.

Currently, I’m a junior at the University of Minnesota, pursuing a degree in Environmental Science Policy Management and French Studies. I recently completed my first year as a National Park Service ranger! Although this summer was a bit unconventional, I’m happy to be spending this time biking, paddling, and connecting with visitors in our beautiful river park. I especially have a fondness for working at the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, as it reminds me of a wide-eyed Haddy who felt completely out of her element standing beside this huge waterfall just a few years ago. I’m so glad my path has led me to where I am today, and I look forward to where it takes me in the future.