The inaugural Parks and Recreation Management (PARK) Practicum provided Auburn College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) students with hands-on experiences in outdoor leadership, environmental education and resource management across multiple sites in Alabama. The practicum was designed to help bridge classroom learning with real-world application by allowing students to experience first-hand the challenges and rewards of managing natural resources and recreational spaces as well as gain nationally accredited professional certifications related to outdoor recreation and environmental education. Over the course of two weeks in the summer, PARK students rotated through workshops, field activities and collaborative projects designed to build their skills as future parks and recreation professionals.
The PARK practicum began at the Kreher Preserve and Nature Center (KPNC), where students participated in Wilderness First Aid training. Facilitated by Auburn Outdoors, the certification program equipped students with the knowledge to respond to injuries and emergencies in outdoor settings. These skills are especially important for those pursuing careers in outdoor recreation and resource management. Students also visited Chewacla State Park to complete trail maintenance projects and meet with members of the Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers (CAMP). This collaboration highlighted the critical role volunteer groups and community partnerships play in maintaining Alabama’s trail systems. From this experience, students learned about sustainable trail building and the ways public recreation areas depend on shared community. Trail maintenance activities included clearing debris, overgrown roots and invasive species and assisting in the maintenance of mountain biking and hiking trails.
Later that week, at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest, students had the opportunity to engage with Project Learning Tree, a national program that uses forests as “windows on the world” to promote environmental literacy. This collaboration not only strengthened students’ understanding of natural resource education but also provided them with confidence in facilitating lessons for diverse audiences. Through hands-on lessons, PARK majors practiced teaching methods that can be adapted for K-12 audiences, which prepares students to educate future generations about sustainability and conservation. The PARK practicum also featured a combination of classroom learning and different applied practices in the field.
At the Donald E. Davis Arboretum, students began coursework on Leave No Trace Level 1 certification, learning essential groundwork for minimizing human impacts in natural environments. Students put this knowledge into practice with two days of immersive field training at Crooked Oaks, the former homestead of Auburn Football Coach Pat Dye, where they were able to demonstrate techniques for leading low-impact outdoor recreation programs.
By the conclusion of the PARK practicum, students had fostered bonds with their peers as a cohort and developed a wide range of professional skills. From first aid and outdoor safety to teaching environmental education and working alongside community partners, students had opportunities to build their professional networks while growing their skillsets in real-world settings. The practicum not only offers practical skill building and the obtainment of professional certifications, but also a chance to reflect on the importance of maintaining and protecting public lands. Students finished with a deeper understanding of the balance between recreation and conservation, better preparing them for careers in parks, recreation and environmental stewardship.
