GLOUCESTER COUNTY — Adam Newland has been named the newest park manager at Machicomoco State Park.
The native of Gloucester began his career in retail and worked in various roles, including management, before finding a purpose in conservation and animal education and attending William & Mary to study biology.
During his time at the university, he worked at a local zoo, providing care for avian and mammal species.
After caring for, training and conducting programming for many exotic species at a zoo on Lake Erie, he took a position managing Bluebird Gap Farm in Hampton. Over the course of the next eight years, the farm implemented a variety of improvements to better serve the animal residents, visitors and community.
Newland said he is eager to work with his new team to preserve Machicomoco State Park, which is about ten miles downriver from Werowocomoco, the village that served as the headquarters of Powhatan, the paramount chief of Tsenacomco. According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Machicomoco means “a special meeting place” in the Algonquin language spoken by the tribes of Tsenacomoco.
“I am most excited to work on our conservation efforts,” said Newland. “Machicomoco truly is a special meeting place where the natural world and thousands of years of human habitation all come together. I am very excited to be a part of the team, protecting the cultural heritage of this site, as well as the natural resources here for future generations, while expanding the infrastructure and embracing the great accessibility of this park.”
According to DCR, Newland is passionate about Virginia native wildlife and the conservation of natural and cultural resources. Having worked as primary care for a wide range of animals from red wolves to giraffes, he became very interested in a job with Virginia State Parks where he can put into practice the methods of conservation that he often spoke about, it adds.
Upcoming fall programs scheduled at Machicomoco State Park can be viewed online.
Park events include:
- Smoke and S’mores (learn about Virgina’s First Peoples’ use of fire and enjoy a treat)
- Sunset on the Steps (enjoy amazing golden hour views and learn from a ranger)
- Insects after Dark (see and learn about night insects with a ranger)
- Timberneck Tuesdays (take a tour and experience the history of the land)
Find the full list of events online.
“One of my favorite programs that we do often is Poisonous and Palatable,” said Newland. “A ranger teaches guests about what plants are good or bad for human use while they hike and see them in the wild. There is also a game component where you see how you would survive with your new knowledge. It’s a fun and educational way to help the guests connect with nature.”
When he isn’t managing park operations or programs, Newland enjoys exploring the world with his wife and their young daughter, DCR said.
