Author Description

<p>Thomas Smith is a former Chair of the Park Management Department at West Valley College in Saratoga, California, and a retired seasonal park ranger in Yosemite National Park and Santa Clara County, California. Hooked on Parks is a book about his career and his comrades in the ranger ranks and some of their experiences and passions. The book also includes sections on wildlife, search and rescue, weather, evolution of modern, and some not-so-modern equipment used by rangers.</p><p>"Parks are special places in our society because the cultural integrity and the ecological values of our collective park systems in many important ways reflect the heritage of this nation. Smitty's book connects hearts and minds to that special place where visitors and rangers interact with resources in many exciting, memorable and poignant ways. Readers get ready for an adventure... for the whole family!"</p><p>--James Brady, former National Park Service Chief Ranger</p><p>"Tom Smith is an educator, protector of park resources, interpreter, and advocate for parks throughout the nation. For several decades, Tom influenced hundreds of students who took his courses at West Valley College, California, with his passion, beliefs and perspective of the Park Ranger."</p><p>--Paul Romero Former Deputy Director, California State Parks</p>