Get to Know Your Park Staff

Kelsey Lang, from Central Florida, grew up surrounded by nature, frolicking in the forests and orange groves of her State. At university she studied a broad spectrum of science subjects including marine biology, chemistry, ecology, physics and geology and originally planned to be a marine scientist but was willing to be flexible about the future. That variety of disciplines helped her find success in her current career as an Interpretive Specialist at Forts Worden and Flagler State Parks.

Before moving to Washington State with her husband and daughter, Kelsey worked as a tour guide, doing kayak tours and boat tours and even worked briefly as a guide in the Everglades. She also spent three years doing research in estuary environments studying sea grass, oysters, and birds in the Ft. Myers, Florida area. It was afterwards that she turned towards education and found her true strength and passion teaching people about the world around them and enabling them to look at nature in a new way.  

Shortly after realizing she wanted to work in aquatic or national parks, combining her love for teaching with more hands-on pursuits, Kelsey got a job as a ranger at a girl scout camp, helping her attain the generalist skills that working in a state park would require.  

For many years Kelsey and her husband thought of leaving Florida and moving to the Pacific Northwest. Kelsey looked at government job boards to find the right match for her skills and found a listing at Forts Worden and Flagler and applied.  While still in Florida with her husband and young daughter, after multiple interviews she got the call that she was going to be hired by Washington State Parks and was thrilled. Two years ago, during the pandemic they made the cross-country move and now live at Fort Flagler.

When asked what she loves most about her job Kelsey readily answers, “freedom and creativity.” She feels lucky to have a supervisor who trusts her and enables her to try new things and to figure out what the public wants and needs. Kelsey organized the Junior Ranger Program which has been enormously successful. Part of her job is training volunteers, creating interpretive displays and signs as well as planning walking tours, and interactive programs. At the five Olympic View Area parks including Fort Flagler it is a happy challenge for her to combine military history with the natural history and splendor that is characteristic of our area. In addition to her regular responsibilities, Kelsey is working with a team of Washington State Park interpreters to explore ways to incorporate technology into interpretation. She is excited for the future and all the possibilities that it holds.