RENSSELAERVILLE — Jakob Greenwood is the first seasonal ranger at the 2,000-acre Huyck Preserve in Rensselaerville.

He recently graduated from the University at Albany with a bachelor of science degree in environmental sciences and minors in biology emergency preparedness, and criminal justice.

Last year, he worked at the preserve as an invasive species assistant and he completed an internship at the preserve in his last semester at UAlbany.

The post is a new one, being paid in part for the next three years by a $56,475 grant from the state’s Conservation Partnership Program and Environmental Protection Fund.

Greenwood will will work for six months at the preserve each year, from mid-May to mid-November.

The ranger post will help with the preserve’s work in conservation and recreation, said Huyck Preserve Executive Director Anne Rhoads, Ph.D., in a release from the preserve.

“The enhanced staff presence on the trails, at the Rensselaerville Falls, and at Lake Myosotis, especially during peak visitation times and outside of normal business hours, will serve as an important resource for our visitors,” said Rhoads. “The ranger will be a valuable source of information about the trails and the important work we do, while also helping ensure that visitors are engaging in responsible recreation. We are thrilled that Jakob Greenwood is our first ranger!”

Greenwood will be serving s’mores to Huyck Preserve members at 6:30 p.m. on opening day of the Lake Myosotis swim beach on June 22. He will also lead a hike to the Rensselaerville Falls on July 20 at 2 p.m. starting at the Huyck Preserve Visitors’ Center located at 5052 Delaware Turnpike in Rensselaerville. To register for events, go online to https://www.huyckpreserve.org/events.html.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer