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Park ranger program

Park Ranger patchThe Park Ranger Program in Montgomery County was created in 2006 as a pilot program under the direction of the Park Police. The program's focus was to assist Park Police with additional patrols in “hot spot” parks and with ball field permitting. In 2008, the County Council approved the hiring of two full time career Rangers and four seasonal Rangers. The focus of the Montgomery County Park Ranger Program is to provide a resource for information in our parks; ensure voluntary compliance with park rules and regulations; review permits; provide community outreach programs; assist with special events and facility support; offer wildlife and natural resources management services; and patrol parks, facilities and trail networks. Most importantly, the Ranger Program's focus is to create a well trained professional unit that will meet the needs of Montgomery County residents.

Our mission

The Mission of the Montgomery County Park Rangers is to improve the quality and safety of our parks for the enjoyment of the community and to serve as a resource to park patrons. The Park Rangers ensure compliance of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s (M-NCPPC) Park Rules and Regulations; review permits; provide community outreach programs; assist with special event and facility support; offer wildlife and natural resources management services; and patrol parks, facilities and trail networks.

Our traveling programs

All programs are offered on a continuous basis. Please contact Officer Sabrina Pirtle by e-mail or call 301-962-1659 to schedule a program:

  • Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs: In conjunction with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, this program provides a guided tour of the Cedarville Fish Hatchery; education on drugs and state fishing rules and regulation; and fishing at one of many M-NCPPC Regional Park fishing locations. Fee: To be determined.
  • Natural Outdoor Hazards: This program provides valuable information about stinging insects, poisonous plants, venomous snakes, and other natural outdoor hazards. The Park Rangers will visit your classroom with a one-hour interactive Powerpoint presentation. Grades 3-8. Free program.
  • Junior Ranger Program: Learn about conservation and ecology through field trips: tour the Montgomery County Recycling Center; explore Little Seneca Lake by boat; fish in Pine Lake and enjoy other outdoor adventure activities. Ages 9-12. Fee: To be determined.
  • Ranger “Jeopardy”: Join the Park Rangers in their version of the game show “Jeopardy.” The subject of safety and the categories are bicycle safety, mammals, bites and stings, etc. Grades 3-6. Free Program.
  • Career Day: Park Rangers discuss job responsibilities and answer questions on Ranger-related career paths. Grades 3-12. Free program.

Wildlife response

Ranger Mirabrishami and a corn snake.

The Park Ranger Unit will respond to reports of injured wildlife on parkland, only while on duty and available. For injured adult deer, contact Park Police at 301-949-3010. Orphaned baby animals will be accepted by the Second Chance Wildlife Center at 7101 Barcellona Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 (Monday-Sunday 9 am to 5 pm), 301-926-WILD (9453).

Please note Second Chance will only accept birds, bats, waterfowl, raptors and orphaned baby squirrels, rabbits, fawns (5-10 lbs), foxes, skunks, raccoons etc. Animals that are not accepted are adult vector species to include foxes, skunks, raccoons, and groundhogs.

Please remember according to Chapter V, Section 21, Wildlife, Plants, Fossils, Minerals of the M-NCPPC Park Rules and Regulations: No person shall catch, injure, destroy or interfere in any way with any wildlife, plants, fossils, or minerals, except as provided in Chapter VI, Section 7, Fishing, and Section 10, Hunting/Trapping.

Domestic animal issues (cats/dogs) will be handled on a case by case basis by Park Police or Montgomery County Animal Services, 240-773-5960.

Geocaching

Park Ranger Carlin with blue heron.

Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hide and seek. A geocacher places an item or “geocache” somewhere in the world; pinpoints its location using GPS technology; and then shares the geocache's existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate the geocache. Geocaching is one of the fastest growing recreational activities in the world. Maryland alone has almost 4,000 geocaches.

The purpose of this policy is to standardize and regulate the number of geocaches placed on Montgomery County Parks’ property. The Montgomery County Park Ranger Office will review applications, regulate contents, and inspect all existing and new geocaches on Montgomery County Parks property. The Office will coordinate with the national site, http://www.geocaching.com/, and the Maryland Geocaching Society, http://www.mdgps.org/wp/. The Park Ranger Office is currently a member of both organizations.

The Montgomery County Park Ranger Office will inventory all current caches place on M-NCPPC property. All inventoried caches will be inspected and standardized based on specifications on application Geocaching Guidelines and Agreement. All new requests should be forwarded to the Montgomery County Park Ranger Office. Applications may be downloaded from the Park Ranger website. Note: After initial inspection and placement, caches become self sustaining via online site. Montgomery County Park Rangers will have the ability to disable site online.

Geocaching Guidelines and Agreement (pdf, 413KB)

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Date of last update: February 17, 2010