New Ranger Sam Vanderbeek May Not "Do Bend Right," but Smith Rock Doesn't Care
April 23, 2021
When we interviewed Sam Vanderbeek shortly after he arrived on the Smith Rock State Park Ranger staff back in February, he was pretty upfront. He said, “I feel like sometimes I do Bend wrong.” While he was referring to his lack of snowsports or mountain biking skills, he went on to qualify his Central Oregon credentials. “I fish.” Since he loves native trout, and especially the Crooked River running through the heart of Smith Rock State Park for fishing, we think his “cred” with locals is intact. But Ranger Sam is so much more than just a lover of wildlife and nature.
Sam worked with the Heart of Oregon Corps for five years prior to coming to Smith Rock State Park
He’s a nurturer of youth—first in job skills development for five years with the non-profit, Heart of Oregon Corps, and now as a ranger, working to help them connect with nature to help protect it in the future. On one of his projects, Camp Lead, a program for youth with diagnosed disabilities for vocational rehabilitation, he connected with the current Smith Rock State Park Manager, Matt Davey, then both at Silver Falls State Park. Then the opportunity to work together again opened up at Smith Rock. Sam was thrilled.
He and Park Manager Matt Davey have a shared goal: to work with other community partners. With Sam’s previous experience, he looks forward to getting youth out to not only enjoy the park but to engage them in a stewardship activity that helps them connect and be concerned with our public spaces. He wants to help educate others about things that are unique to the region, especially about both threats to those things, such as invasive plants or practices that have impacted the environment in a negative way. But Sam doesn’t stop there. He also points out the good stuff, “things that we’re doing to make it better.”
Smith Rock State Park Ranger Sam Vanderbeek
“It’s about engaging folks, especially groups that are non-traditional park users. Being in a position to help alleviate fear around uniformed rangers in a public space and create positive interaction is an honor and a huge responsibility, but it’s something that I’m well aware of and hope to be able to be conscious about.”
Smith Rock State Park Ranger Sam Vanderbeek points out the Summit Trail Loop to a park visitor.
We caught up with Sam this week to see how he’s settling in since he started back in February. Beaming, he says he feels the energy of the park as Spring brings renewal to both flora and fauna alike. He shares how much he loves his team, the park, and his new work/life balance, especially being able to bike to work since moving from Bend to Terrebonne. In between helping folks with recommendations for their day at the park, he tells us he’s getting a chance to immerse himself in all aspects of the park, often hiking 30-40 miles a week on his rounds, to see where he can help educate as well as improve the experience for visitors.
Full of ideas and enthusiasm, we can’t help but feel his passion. Sam is fully plugged in and ready to serve. Smith Rock and her visitors are the lucky recipients of that passion. We wish him well!