Job comes naturally for Rita Thelen

1. Tell me about your job. What's a naturalist?

One of the things I tell some of my audiences is that it's not a naturist, someone who goes to nude beaches and resorts.

A naturalist is the best job in the park district. As naturalists, we are educators, writers, researchers and we work with people. In a way, we're generalists because we're expected to know a little bit about everything. We all have our favorite areas, and I'm more of a botanist.

2. There's lots of talk about the need to take better care of the planet these days.

We try to convey information about the natural environment in a way that people can understand. We try also to teach in the process not only names and identifications for things, but to instill an awareness of nature, respect for nature and a sense of stewardship, because this is all we've got. You know, this is it. We're trying to teach ways to methods of preserving the environment. It doesn't have to be anything huge. You don't have to chain yourself to a bulldozer.

3. I would think the parks contribute in a big way to that understanding.

We try to give people a positive experience in the parks - school groups to church groups to whatever ages. If you can have a positive experience in the outdoors, it contributes to your basic view of the world, but it helps you to get that feeling of ownership: I'm not going to vandalize that park; I remember going there when I was 7 and we went butterfly hunting! It's everyone's park. It's not just one person or a group of elite people. Our parks in the United States belong to the public and that's a fantastic concept.

4. Where did your love of nature develop?

I grew up on a farm and in a large family. When I went into the orchard and climbed the tree and read a book, that was my little sanctuary. I had three brothers and three sisters. My brothers loved to antagonize me. I have a degree in education and taught school for a few years and wanted to do something more. I received a master's in science, fisheries and wildlife, and from there I've been working in parks ever since.

5. Where has your job taken you?

I've worked for the National Park Service in Alaska for 14 years. Alaska was an eye-opening experience, coming from the Midwest, it was like mountains and water and animals! It gave me a taste for the vastness of our country and for the need to preserve some of these areas. I worked part time for Cleveland Metroparks before working for Johnny Appleseed for 14 years.

6. For the kids, are there some neat or gross things you've been able to see?

Gross stuff is always of interest. Watching a mother bird regurgitate to feed her baby bird - that's pretty gross. Scat, animal droppings, that can be gross, until you're used to it, and then it's intriguing because they each have their own twisted shape. There's not much that grosses me out anymore. I really don't like slugs. Everything has it's place, but I really don't like slugs.