Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 04, 2022
Contact: Kim Wells, Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-217-1077, kim.wells@dcr.virginia.gov
Amelia Hulth named new park manager at Powhatan State Park
(Editors: Follow this link to download an image. Photo caption: Amelia Hulth, Powhatan State Park Manager)
Powhatan State Park announced that Amelia Hulth will be the new park manger.
Hulth hails from Southwest Virginia and has always enjoyed the outdoors, especially with her family. She is very familiar with New River Trail State Park, Grayson Highlands and other parks in the Blue Ridge area. These outdoor experiences helped prepare her for a career with Virginia State Parks.
“During my early career, I worked as an adventure director for several camping retreat centers in the Blue Ridge Mountain region,” explained Powhatan State Park Manager Amelia Hulth. “My first ranger job was as a park interpreter at Grayson Highlands State Park although I was already a junior ranger from attending their camp as a kid. Grayson Highlands gave me the opportunity to build experiences around biodiversity and Appalachian culture. I also worked as Program Supervisor and Interim Park Manager at Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Northern Kentucky providing oversight at an internationally renowned Ice Age fossil site.”
With an abundance of experience and a desire to succeed, Hulth continued to rise in the ranks and became the Assistant Park Manager at Pocahontas State Park overseeing visitor services, business management, enterprise facilities and the concert series for one of the busiest state parks in Virginia.
Hulth plans to use what she learned at Pocahontas and implement some new programs at Powhatan State Park.
“I want to see visitation increase and become more diverse across the entire park such as day and overnight use, program attendance and volunteering,” said Hulth. “The park is conveniently located in the greater Richmond area and I want the surrounding communities to know that it is a safe, welcoming space for everyone to enjoy. Working alongside our resource management staff and community partners, I want to implement a detailed restoration plan for the grassland ecosystems that are becoming increasingly rare. It’s important for me to strengthen our relationships with existing partners and open up opportunities for new partnerships.”
Powhatan will be celebrating its 10 year anniversary in 2023, so be on the lookout for several programs and events that will be announced at the beginning of the year.
“The parks’ next big event is a Volunteer Kick-Off on Nov. 12 and this will be a chance for guests to meet park staff, volunteers and Friends Group members and then learn about upcoming volunteer projects and service rewards,” said Hulth.
Hulth’s role at Pocahontas as Assistant Manager was very specialized to certain areas, but as Park Manager at Powhatan, she is able to be more intentional with planning for a holistic future park vision. The two parks differ in their operations and complexity, but Hulth has a plan to attract more visitors.
“Powhatan has seen substantial growth and change since its origin in 2013,” explained Hulth. “Some of the unique recreation opportunities at Powhatan include a hike-in/paddle-in primitive campground and three car-top boat slides providing access to the historic James River. The James River is one of our greatest resources so bringing back guided paddle programs, improving river access, and providing education on river safety are also immediate goals.”
Be sure to visit Powhatan State Park and partake on the Ranger-led hikes or feel free to hike on your own or with friends and family. However you decide to enjoy the park, please know that the staff are there to help you have the best experience possible.
Visit www.virginiastateparks.gov for more information about upcoming events at Powhatan State Park as well as events at other park locations.
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