Ask Tess Himelspach what she loves about her job, and the answer comes down to two things: people and the outdoors. As Chief Ranger of Visitor Experience at James River State Park, she gets to spend her days bringing those two passions together.
“I always had an interest in science,” she said. “I really wanted to combine my interest and passion for education and my love for the outdoors.”
A military kid who grew up in communities around Virginia, Tess earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology with a minor in Physics from Barnard College in New York City. Following graduation, she applied and was accepted to an internship with the Ranger Conservation Corps, which led her to James River State Park after spending time at Staunton River and Pocahontas State Parks. Once at James River, the 25-year-old quickly found a place that felt familiar.
“I spent a lot of time in high school in Richmond down at the James River,” she said. “The James River has always been special to me, so it’s exciting to come back to it. It feels like coming back home.”
One of the things she is most excited about is the park’s designation as an International Dark Sky Park. With light pollution increasing along the East Coast, protecting dark skies gives visitors a chance to experience something that can be difficult to find close to populated areas, she said. The park uses lighting practices designed to minimize light pollution and offers astronomy programs throughout the year. One of the biggest upcoming opportunities is the Star Party on November 13–14, when the park invites visitors to spend time under the stars while learning more about the night sky.
“It’s very exciting to see that coming together,” Tess said of the Dark Sky designation. “I grew up all over and was exposed to different types of community and different types of environments. It’s really cool to see how parks exist in an urban setting.”
But the stars are just one part of what makes James River State Park special.
As Chief Ranger of Visitor Experience, Tess helps lead educational programs, self-guided activities, school field trips, outreach events and more. The park also offers volunteer opportunities and special programs throughout the year, including the recent Rooftop Tent Row weekend where camping enthusiasts could enjoy the park with music and special programming and vendors.
Tess said she has also enjoyed getting to know the communities surrounding the park, including Buckingham, Nelson and Appomattox counties.
“Having that light bulb moment is so rewarding,” she said of working with visitors and watching them discover something new. “We want to be a friendly face in the community.”
That welcoming spirit extends to the park itself. With five campgrounds, primitive sites, RV camping, cabins and horse camping, there are plenty of ways to experience James River State Park. Visitors can come for a weekend of camping, explore the trails, attend a program or simply enjoy the river and the outdoors. For Tess, it all comes back to helping people discover the outdoors and the unique resources right in their own backyard.
“There is a wealth of knowledge at the park,” she said. “There are so many amentities at the park and we always have something going on! Come out and stay with us and get that opportunity and that experience.”
Whether you come to camp, learn, explore or simply spend an evening looking up at the stars, James River State Park offers plenty of reasons to get outside and Tess is excited to help visitors make the most of it.
For more information about the Star Party, visit the James River State Park website’s event page.
