Ranganayaki “Rangi” Mayshark grew up with a deep attachment and curiosity towards the Earth and all creatures that inhabit it. In 2019, Rangi turned her interest into a passion by choosing Environmental Studies as her undergraduate degree at Warren Wilson College, located in Swannanoa, NC. While Rangi has lived in several other regions, the Southern Appalachians quickly became a very special place for her. After graduating in the Fall of 2021, Rangi had the opportunity to do an AmeriCorps service term through the American Conservation Experience (ACE) in Southern California. There, she was a part of a trail crew who soon became like family. She learned so much about hands-on work in the conservation field. After that, she moved close to family in Florida to teach dance- another passion of hers. By early summer 2023, she once again felt the call of the mountains and decided it was time to go back to one of her favorite homes. She is grateful to be living once again in Western North Carolina, this time in the Great Smoky Mountains! She hopes her service will reflect at least a sliver of the love she has for this beautiful land.