Quoted By:
>What are the best degrees to get to become one?
Parks and Recreation Management is what most new rangers have or another relevant and more practical-than-academic degree, such as Wildlife Management, Rangeland Management, Forest Science, etc.
Besides that, more generally relevant academic degrees such as Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Botany/Plant Science, Forestry or etc.
That being said, there isn't really any degree out there that will fast-track you to the top of the list of applicants.
>What other skills should you become proficient in/ what background knowledge should you have?
It varies depending on what particular position you're being hired for.
Assuming you want field work, then for starters, species identification. You should be proficient in identifying the common species of trees, plants, flowers, birds, game and etc. in the National Park, and able to at least correctly identify the family of rare or very uncommon species you come across that are less obvious.
Good innawoods skills, Good improvisation skills. A lot of times you'll have to Jerry Rig things using whatever you find in the vicinity or happen to have in the chronically underfunded and understocked toolbox.
If you're into some cringy middle class suburban "nature lover" fad, such as veganism, hippie culture or new age religion, give up now, you'll be laughed out of everywhere.
Also I should mention that I'm not from 'Murika so things might be a little different if you're looking at American ranger jobs. Although from what I hear it's pretty similar though.
