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Chance N. Finegan
BiographyI am a member of the University of Tennessee at Martin Class of 2012, and I am majoring in natural resources management with a park and recreation administration concentration and minoring in history. I hope to become an interpretive ranger with the National Park Service after university. One day, I would like to earn a law degree and master's of public policy from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
I believe there is inherent value in the environment, and the observation of nature in a setting removed from the hectic world of day-to-day life uplifts the human spirit. I also believe there is value in our history – without history, there is nothing to base neither one’s understanding of the present nor one’s dreams of the future. These resources – natural, cultural, and historical – are found in communities throughout the world. Their intrinsic worth is beyond monetary value, and I so value these things that I intend to protect them, even in the face of insurmountable obstacles, so that all citizens, rich or poor, may enjoy them forever.
Throughout high school, I served as the president of CHS SPEAK (CHS Students Promoting Environmental Action and Knowledge) and the founder and president of the CHS Campus Greens during high school. I organized a statewide volunteer event at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, for which I received an award for special services to the park. I am a former Campus and Community Organizer for the Sierra Student Coalition, and a member and former chair of the SSC's Conservation Committee and SSC Publishing Group. I had the privilege and honor to serve the public as a park guide at Big South Fork in 2008. Finally, I have served as a naturalist for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation's Great Outdoors University. TWF/GOU brings inner-city Memphis students on field trips to local parks for hiking, fishing, camping, and other experiences. Without TWF/GOU, many of the kids wouldn't have seen a fish, walked through the woods, or been to a campfire. Spending time with Great Outdoors University was one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.
Now, in college, I am employed as the administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator for WaysSouth (http://www.wayssouth.org), a non-profit based in Asheville, North Carolina that seeks to promote sustainable transportation solutions, planning, and infrastructure in Southern Appalachia. I am also a member of the award-winning UT-Martin soil judging team and a student ambassador for the university.
The views and materials contained in my comments and posts are not, and should not be construed as, those of the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior, the United States Government, the University of Tennessee at Martin, the UT System, the State of Tennessee, WaysSouth or as those of any entity other than myself except where expressly stated. And yes, that second paragraph is pretty darn close to that of the Tennessee State Park System, because Tennessee's state parks are amazing, even if TDEC does some strange things every now and then.
- 7/25/2009 1:50 pm - New Visitor Center Coming to Great Smoky Mountains National Park : Betty, I don't think you'll have any problems. There aren't many overpasses in the park and only one tunnel on the road (now part of Foothills Parkway) that runs from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg.
- 7/18/2009 12:59 pm - Another Entrance-Fee-Free Weekend in the National Parks : Made me smile on Twitter this morning... From AlaskaCenters: "A NPS fee-free weekend (7/18-19) is like fat-free ice cream... but better. The whole family can enjoy it, but it lasts a lot longer." http://twitter.com/AlaskaCenters
- 7/08/2009 9:48 pm - Updated: Greenpeace Climbers Arrested for Climate Change Protest at Mount Rushmore National Memorial : Actually, Frank, last time I looked, I attend the University of Tennessee, an institution that includes five campuses across the state, over 44,000 students, and manages this little thing known as Oak Ridge National Laboratory, home to the National Institute of Computational Sciences, the world's 6th fastest supercomputer, the largest ...
- 7/08/2009 5:53 pm - Updated: Greenpeace Climbers Arrested for Climate Change Protest at Mount Rushmore National Memorial : [quote]The global warming cult almost rivals the geocentric views held by the holy [Catholic] Church during the Dark Ages. Galileo was punished. Are global warming skeptics next?[/quote] Frank, please tell me that I'm confused when I interpret this to mean that you're suggesting that those who disagree with the IPCC ...
- 5/21/2009 11:26 am - Missed Portage Leads to Death At Big South Fork National River And Recreation Area : I worked last summer at Big South Fork, and hope to clear up a few points of confusion here. Before I do, however, please understand that I do not speak for the National Park Service - only for myself, as a private citizen, and that this is how I understand ...
- 4/27/2009 9:12 pm - Best Solitude in the National Park System? Here Are Traveler's Choices : Hey RoadRanger, Thanks for correcting me. I didn't realize that there were that many places outside of Cumberland Island NS protected in Georgia. I really do appreciate it, since I'm working in Georgia this summer, and this is exactly the sort of thing I need to know.
- 9/25/2008 11:34 am - Archaeological Survey At Big South Fork River National River and Recreation Area : Mr. Mutch, I certainly understand what you are saying. Indeed, I have witnessed firsthand several surveys that are only taking place because of NEPA regs or some other project. However, having lived and worked this summer with many of the individuals cited in this piece, I can assure you that ...
- 8/11/2008 6:54 am - Collapse of "Wall Arch" Proves Gravity Does Work at Arches National Park : SaltSage236, Thanks for correcting me. This is particularly useful information for me to have since I volunteer and sometimes give interpretive programs at BISO.
- 8/10/2008 6:43 pm - Collapse of "Wall Arch" Proves Gravity Does Work at Arches National Park : There is one park in the system where you are allowed, and are encouraged to, walk atop some sandstone arches - Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, on the Tennessee/Kentucky line. It is 7/10ths of a mile to Twin Arches in the western side of the park via ...
- 6/01/2008 6:29 am - Traveler's View: Concealed Weapons Have No Place In Our National Park System : I always find it ironic that pro-gun people say the gun control crowd has been duped/misled/confused of the truth by the Brady Campaign, when the pro-gun people have been 'duped' just as much by the NRA....

















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