ORANGE BEACH/GULF SHORES — As the only female park ranger in the State of Alabama, Kendra Bryan is breaking barriers while educating the public and enforcing conservation laws in Gulf State Park.

"I take pride in being a ranger. Representing women in a predominately male field is just a bonus," Bryan said.

According to data found on the National Parks Service's (NPS) official website, as of 2020 a little over a third of the park rangers in the U.S. were female. The NPS website also had details of the first female ranger who was first hired as a temporary ranger in 1918 at Yosemite National Park. The first permanent female park ranger was hired in 1925 at Yellowstone National Park.

Bryan said that before she joined the team, Alabama had not had a female park ranger since 2018.

With a start in law enforcement in 2015, Bryan started her journey with Troy Police Department before moving to Orange Beach Police Department in 2018. She started her career with the Alabama State Parks system when she started as a park ranger at Joe Wheeler State Park in 2022. Bryan started working at Gulf State Park in 2023.

She said being a park ranger allows her to combine her passion for law enforcement with her passion for the outdoors.

"I can protect natural spaces, ensure public safety and continue to work in the outdoor environment I love," Bryan said.

One animal that can be found at the park that holds a spot as Bryan's favorite is the marsh rabbit. Bryan said this furry friend can be spotted hopping along the side of the State Park Road during the summer months and that they are identifiable "by their short, rounded ears."

Bryan said she is the first female ranger in the state to receive certification as a field training officer, which is a role that involves training newly hired rangers.

"Our focus is on teaching them (the newly hired rangers) the state park rules and regulations, as well as conservation laws, which aren't covered in the academy," Bryan said. "This helps them bridge what they've learned in training to their daily duties."

As a park ranger, Bryan is tasked with handling calls within the park, traffic enforcement in the park and surrounding areas, issuing parking tickets at Gulf State Park beach access points, responding to wildlife incidents and enforcing conservation laws as well as state park rules and regulations. She also occasionally assists Gulf Shores and Orange Beach police departments.

Though not a native local, Bryan said she "fell in love" after visiting the area for a weekend.

"The beaches are stunning, and the people are incredibly friendly," Bryan said. "It didn't take long to decide that this is the place I wanted to call home."

Byran encourages more women to consider working in this male-dominated position, as she enjoys meeting visitors from across the country and having the opportunity to educate the public on the Gulf State Park.