Hey there!

I'm Kiley

I'm a lover of landscapes and little moments and try to spend as much time outside as possible, hiking, backpacking, swimming, relaxing, reading, and capturing beauty with my camera when I can!I've been a seasonal National Park Ranger for the last five years, working at Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, and Glacier National Parks during the summer, and odd jobs (farmer, wildlife technician, ski resort employee, outdoor retail store) during the winter. I received my bachelor's degree in Conservation Biology, and I use it everyday as a naturalist, identifying tees, plants, flowers, birds, moss and more on the job and off the job. Topophilia means "a strong sense of place, a love for peculiar places; a sense of home." It reflects my desire to connect myself and others to the breathtaking spaces where I work, and to help guide people towards a deeper appreciation for our remarkable natural world.I have a strong collection of photographs from past adventures, and my hope is to share stories and connect with others in mutual respect for nature and our environment, for the winged and the hoofed, the grasses and bark, the petals and pine needles.

Me as a Ranger in Glacier National Park, 2022

Thank you for Being Here!

It means so much to me that others share a "topophilia" for similar places that I do. Thank you for reading and your support! I'm a seasonal worker that has gaps at times between jobs, so any and all support is appreciated so much :)

At a backcountry lake in Yosemite National Park, 2021

In 2025, I hiked the Pacific Crest Trail.

Or, part of it anyways. 1400 miles of the 2,650 mile is still a pretty great achievement. You can read my blog posts about the trail on the Trek's page here.

“The level of comfort and peace that I experience in the parks flows like a stream throughout my life, so that no matter where I am or what I am experiencing, there is a core of me that cannot be disturbed. It keeps me in balance all the time.” – Audrey Peterman

The National Parks.

In the past five years, I've worked in Yosemite, Rocky Mountain, and Glacier National Parks. As an interpretive Park Ranger, I staffed the visitor centers, led guided hikes, and gave evening programs in the campgrounds about the natural and cultural importance of the park - helping visitors establish their own sense of place and belonging. From being an educator and naturalist, I also found my sense of place of each park, learning about the history, the types of trees and phenology, the behaviors of the wildlife and migration routes of the birds. I also worked as a Wilderness Ranger in Yosemite, working at the wilderness center and teaching Leave No Trace ethics to backpackers and hikers. Many people ask if I have a favorite park - and I can't say I do because each park holds a different and special meaning for me. They are all beautiful and unique, and I feel a sense of home, a topophilia, for each one.

Backcountry Reflections, Glacier National Park 2022

"Sometimes I wish I could photosynthesize so that just by being, just by shimmering at the meadow’s edge or floating lazily on a pond, I could be doing the work of the world while standing silent in the sun." ~ Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass