The quest of a Naturalist

It is the dawning of a new era.

An era of responsibility, of being NHE Leader at Grundy Lake Provincial Park, more specifically. But you may be asking yourself: “Tim, what has suddenly compelled you to become responsible?”
Perhaps it was my inner man struggling to awaken. Perhaps it was a woman. Regardless of the origins of this strange new state of mind, I shall be responsible for delivering programs of the highest calibre. Yes, with 4 younglings under my command, our small 50 square meter visitors’ centre shall become a temple of learning, where the teachings of bear safety shall be spread through the land.
“But Tim, you ask, you cannot take padawan learners if you are a mere Jedi Knight. Never before has the council allowed one to take on an apprentice before reaching the rank of Jedi Master.” I say Obi-wan did it (well, it didn’t turn out so great, what with Anakin turning to the dark side, but everything turned ok in the end - didn’t it? (see Return of the Jedi). And yes, many berries shall be picked, many paddles dunked into cool clear waters, odonates captured, viewed and photographed, interpretive moments had, backyard owls hooted at, wolves howled at, salamanders uncovered, facts learned, insects pinned, friends made, pine sawyers from concerned public received and released, feeble attempts at getting fit had, nets swung, rocks jumped off of, displays enhanced, [non-alcoholic] beer drank, and good memories gained.

Algonquin may no longer need me but with my fellow Jedis we shall create a new and more powerful park with even better naturalists.