MROSD appoints new ranger to serve Coastside, Skyline

The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s newest ranger, Elizabeth Wright, was sworn in as a peace officer at the board of directors meeting last night.

Once her training is complete, Wright will work out of the District’s Skyline field office serving preserve visitors in San Mateo County’s Skyline and Coastside areas. She is a native of San Jose, and has a degree in criminal justice from San Jose State University. Wright worked as a police officer for the City of Fremont between 1991 and 2001, holding several different positions including street patrol officer, drug abuse resistance education officer, training officer and crisis/hostage negotiator. 

She left law enforcement to pursue a career in woodworking and enjoy a slower pace of life in the Sierra Nevada foothills.  As a journey level carpenter and general contractor, Wright specialized in building log homes and remodeling kitchens and baths. She recently moved back to San Jose, and graduated at the top of her class from a nine-week law enforcement academy to become a ranger.

“Having grown up in the rapidly expanding Bay Area, I can appreciate how important it is to set aside such beautiful lands for everyone’s enjoyment.  I am proud to be protecting the land, the wildlife, and the people who enjoy the preserves,” Wright said. After taking the state of California’s peace officer loyalty oath, Wright asked her mother to pin on her new badge.

District rangers are stewards of 58,000 acres of public open space land. They interact with preserve visitors providing interpretive and educational information, first aid, and law enforcement. Rangers also patrol and maintain roads and trails, complete projects that enhance and restore the natural environment and work to prevent and fight wildland fires.