Lauren McCaslin

Parks: Lauren McCaslin, Park Ranger
Years with the County: 41 months

Briefly describe your job. What do you do? 
As a Park Ranger at Mountain Creek Park, I help with all aspects of daily park operations from maintenance to public interactions and everything in between.

What is a typical workday like for you?
A typical workday involves maintaining the park grounds and trails, interacting with visitors in the nature center, answering questions on the phone, managing park picnic shelter/education room reservations, and constantly learning about the plants and animals in our park. 

What is your favorite aspect of your job – what do you enjoy doing most? 
My favorite aspect of my job is being able to work outdoors. I have always enjoyed being surrounded by nature and being a park ranger allows me to do that while also providing an opportunity for others to do the same.

What is the County core value you believe most relates to the work you do, and why? 
The county core value I believe most relates to the work I do is Doing It Well. We strive to provide an excellent park experience for every visitor, whether that’s keeping the trails well maintained for a smooth mountain biking and safe hiking experience or providing nature-based education to the public.

What do you like best about working for Catawba County? 
What I like best about working for Catawba County is having the opportunity to actively play a role in the preservation and conservation of the county’s natural resources for the benefit of the environment and its inhabitants. I hope that by being a steward of the land, the park can remain a natural space for people to enjoy for many generations to come.