Turner Promoted to Superintendent of Merchants Millpond State Park

Longtime park ranger Jeffrey Turner has been selected as the new park superintendent at Merchants Millpond State Park in Gates County, North Carolina State Parks announced. N.C. State Parks is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Park superintendents manage operations and administration at a park and have wide-ranging responsibilities that include staffing, training, law enforcement, planning, resource management, interpretation and education, and visitor services. In this position, Turner also oversees management of two state natural areas - Chowan Swamp and Salmon Creek - in addition to operations at Merchants Millpond. He succeeds Steve Rogers, who took on a new role as park superintendent of Jockey's Ridge State Park in nearby Dare County earlier this year.

Turner brings 22 years of experience with State Parks, all of which have been spent at Merchants Millpond. He earned a bachelor's degree in wildlife and fisheries management, with a minor in environmental science, from North Carolina State University. In 2022, Turner was recognized by the N.C. Prescribed Fire Council and awarded State Parks Burner of the Year for his efforts and achievements in the use of prescribed fire in natural resource management at the park. In addition, he holds a certification as a North Carolina Environmental Educator through the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs.

"Jeffrey was a natural choice to lead the park as a lifelong Gates County resident," said State Parks Director Brian Strong. "His leadership in the prescribed burn program at the park and in developing and providing education programming to the community highlights his dedication to our mission. With the upcoming completion of the campground renovation and recent land acquisitions at the park, we are excited to see where Jeffrey will take the park next."

Located 10 miles south of North Carolina's northeastern border with Virginia, Merchants Millpond centers on a millpond more than 190 years old. Hiking the surrounding trails or paddling the placid, shallow waters of the pond offer a great way to explore its wetland environment. Old-growth cypress trees adorned with Spanish moss create an "enchanted forest," particularly at Lassiter Swamp. Visitors have even spotted the American alligator here, at the northernmost point of its range.

About North Carolina State Parks
The North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation exists to inspire all through conservation, education, and recreation, with a vision to connect generations with nature through exceptional outdoor experiences. The state parks system features 35 state parks, 25 state natural areas, four state recreation areas, seven state lakes, four Natural and Scenic Rivers, and 15 state trails - spanning over 264,000 acres of iconic landscapes and welcoming 18 million visitors annually.

In addition to overseeing the state parks system, the division administers federal and state parks and trails grants, including the state-funded Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, the Complete the Trails Program, and the Great Trails State Program, as well as the federally funded Recreational Trails Program and the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The division is part of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural ResourcesThe N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina - its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit https://www.dncr.nc.gov.

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