A Park Ranger Life Well Lived

This month I have asked retiring Regional Chief Gerald “Jerry” Ives to share a few words about his career. Jerry has been a model Park Ranger for many years, serving as a leader and mentor for those of us who have been fortunate to work with him. His mark will be carried on the hearts and seen in the actions of the many Park Rangers he has inspired through the years. Thank you Jerry for all you have done to make our park service, our parks, and the world a little better. It has been our honor to serve with you.

-Paul

A little over twenty-five years ago, I followed a dream. After many years of honing my leadership skills in restaurant and retail management, I took a big step and joined the South Carolina State Park Service as a full-time Park Ranger at Hunting Island State Park (Ranger 105). I brought my wife and two kids on this journey, and later on adding a third child to the mix and we became Ranger Ives family 101. Family has made an impact on my success personally and professionally; I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am without their love and support.  I started in May of 1999 and as I reflect on my initial fears and remember my first thought was, “What am I getting myself into?”, but something told me this could be the adventure of a lifetime. It was the start of a journey that has been one of the greatest honors of my life. 

I learned what it meant to be a Park Ranger in those first years at Hunting Island State Park. I patrolled the beaches, checked guests into the campground, performed maintenance tasks, and enjoyed the rich beauty of the low country. Soon, I was promoted to the upstate and spent more time learning and growing at Jones Gap State Park. I learned search and rescue and how to maintain the vast mountain trail system. I became assistant Manager at Myrtle Beach State Park and then moved on to Sesquicentennial State Park for my first Manager position. Soon I was back at Myrtle Beach State Park for 12 years, before being promoted to Coastal Region Chief.

Throughout my career, I have been proud to have the beauty of nature as my “office.” Arguably the best views in one day would be at Hunting Island State Park where one can see the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets in a single day. Another notable breath-taking view I remember is looking up at the mist, rolling over the mountains at Jones Gap. I’ve experienced foggy mornings at Givhans Ferry on the Edisto River where the fog lifts with the river flowing underneath. I’ve seen breathtaking lightning and twisting waterspouts over the Atlantic Ocean. I have seen nature at its finest: awe-inspiring, sometimes serene, sometimes chaotically striking. It is an honor to live and work in nature’s glory.   

But beauty isn’t the only thing our parks offer. The people I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and building relationships with have guided and inspired me. I always said I didn’t care where I was, I just wanted to make a difference. It has been an honor and privilege working with so many amazing people. I hope I made a difference to each person I have worked with, supported, and inspired. Beyond that, I wanted to build long-term relationships to be able to see others succeed, get promoted, and follow their dreams in the park service. My legacy was never really about any project big or small, building renovations, new boardwalks, or any of the many repairs. I hope that I made a difference to others through the way I conducted myself, treated them, and supported them.

Beyond the many employees I have worked with one thing is certain, parks are made for people to enjoy and I have seen literally millions of people from all walks of life enjoying our parks. While at Myrtle Beach State Park, I was often asked what gave me the most sense of pride. Although a beautiful 312-acre oasis in the middle of the Grand Strand, with gorgeous beaches and beautiful oak trees, that is only part of the answer. More importantly, I could stand on the pier overlooking park visitors using outdoor grills, having fun, playing with their kids on the beach, and knowing we made that happen. I hope we allowed the many visitors to our parks to build those memories with their families. That’s what we do. The purpose of preserving our parks is so that people can enjoy, learn, and create beautiful memories with their families and friends. I can honestly say that the joy of being a park ranger has been the sense I made a difference to so many park guests over the years. 

Looking back on my career, I know it has been a life well lived. I have seen and done so much, met so many incredible people, and contributed a tiny piece to the lasting legacy for visitors while preserving the natural beauty of South Carolina. The parks are an incredibly special place. I am humbled by a passion for the outdoors and the ability for all to recreate in nature. I cannot express what an honor this time has been.

Thank you.

Lower Coast Region Chief (C-101)

Jerry Ives

For the final time, C-101, 10-42 (end of shift).