Walks and Talks with a Retired Ranger
Lynda Doucette
Lynda has spent the last decade-plus at the Supervisory Park Ranger at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Her career with the National Park Service has taken her far and wide, including time spent at Cape Cod National Seashore, Yosemite National Park, and Point Reyes National Seashore. As an interpretive ranger, Lynda focused on education and events that would help visitors appreciate all that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has to offer. Lynda will share her deep knowledge of these mountains, its creatures, and its history with our guests. She will lead day hikes, night hikes, and more!
Forest Bathing
Mark Ellison
Mark moved to the mountains in 1988 to attend Western Carolina University and quickly fell in love with the forests, trails, people and places of the Smokies, as well as the sense of wonder and tranquility that living here offers. Mark’s passion for helping others connect with nature started in college and followed him to graduate school at NC State where his doctoral research focused on the restorative benefits of hiking in nature. It was during this time that he discovered the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku or forest bathing and helped introduce it to the United States. Additionally, he is a freelance writer for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, an avid nature photographer and aspiring naturalist. Hiking, walking, and talking with Mark will help you tap deep into the restorative power of nature.
