Leslie Bast heard a calling early on.
“I grew up in the outdoors and visited many local parks,” said Bast, an education naturalist with Stark Parks. “I knew I always wanted to work in the outdoors to help educate and share the wonders nature has to offer. I started working for Stark Parks in July of 2024. Before starting there, I worked in Cuyahoga Valley National Park as a program instructor for three years.”
The 26-year-old graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a minor in geography. She is engaged to fiancé Keith.
“The day-to-day job duties of a naturalist are never the same,” she said. “My roles include planning, organizing and delivering educational programs focusing on the natural, cultural and outdoor recreation opportunities within Stark Parks. Encouraging others to get outdoors and explore the natural world, I strive to help others feel a connection to nature and the parks.”
Leslie Bast serves as an education naturalist with Stark Parks. “I knew I always wanted to work in the outdoors to help educate and share the wonders nature has to offer,” she said.
What do you love most about being an education naturalist?
What I love most about it is the opportunity I have to connect with different members of the community every day.
In this type of work, I learn as much as I teach. I learn from my fellow naturalists and from the people I interact with daily. I love this job because it keeps me curious and driven to make a difference.
Which of the many activities do you teach or lead at Stark Parks?
I get to dip my toes into all the different areas in the education department, including kayaking, beekeeping, summer camps, bumblebee surveys and many other programs.
I enjoy the requested program opportunities we provide a great deal. Having the chance to go into classrooms to speak with students and watch their faces light up when we bring out an animal ambassador to introduce them to and teach them about is truly special.
Our new magazine was recently released with my own first public programs included. I will be leading avian adventure hikes once a month, each time held at a different park location. I will also be leading two Towpath Trail bike rides, uncovering canal-era history and stories along the way.
Which animal species do you enjoy teaching about the most?
I have had the opportunity to train and teach with a lot of our animal ambassadors from the Wildlife Conservation Center. Being able to share my knowledge and educate audiences about the different species is important to me.
While I love all animals, I would have to say birds are my absolute favorite to teach about. I have always loved birds, but I became a true birder in 2020, amidst the height of COVID. Spending time outside just watching and listening to birds gives me a sense of calm and happiness I can’t find anywhere else. I’m hoping to share this experience during my avian adventure hikes coming up this spring.
Where is the next place on your travel bucket list?
It has been a long-standing goal of mine to visit all 63 national parks. I have checked off about 20 so far. For my next trip, I would like to head out west on a long road trip and hit all five of Utah’s beautiful national parks.
What is your go-to guilty pleasure?
Grabbing my camera and taking my dog to a park for birding hikes. And then maybe grabbing an ice cream cone afterwards.
Editor’s note: Five questions with … is a Sunday feature that showcases a member of the Stark County community. If you’d like to recommend someone to participate, send an email to newsroom@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: 5 questions with Leslie Bast, education naturalist with Stark Parks