Zachary Lunn has been promoted to be the new park superintendent at Haw River State Park in Rockingham and Guilford counties, 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.
Lunn began his career with the division in 2018 and has served as a park ranger at Lumber River State Park and Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve. In those roles, he gained extensive experience in natural resource management and interpretation and education. He has been serving on the division’s Interpretation and Education Council and holds a pesticide applicator license. He also instructs chainsaw training and basic life support courses for other field staff.
Originally from Las Vegas, Lunn moved to North Carolina when stationed at Fort Bragg. He served two tours in Iraq as a combat medic with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division. After completing his military service, he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from North Carolina State University.
“Zachary’s military service, academic accomplishments, and leadership within the division reflect the dedication and diverse skill set he brings to this new role,” said State Parks Director Brian Strong. “His expertise in natural resource management and staff training will be a tremendous asset to Haw River State Park as it continues to grow as a destination for environmental education and outdoor recreation.”
About Haw River State Park
Located near Greensboro, Haw River State Park is a unique park that centers on The Summit, a residential environmental education and conference center, accommodating retreats and conferences for groups big or small. Trails and a boardwalk offer a journey into wetlands and a floodplain swamp. The park also houses the Iron Ore Belt Access, which is perfect for day-use visitors to enjoy views of wetlands rich in flora and fauna while meandering through piedmont oak-hickory forests.
About the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation
The Division of Parks and Recreation manages more than 264,000 acres of iconic landscape within North Carolina’s state parks, state recreation areas and state natural areas. It administers the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, including its local grants program, as well as a state trails program, North Carolina Natural and Scenic Rivers and more, all with a mission dedicated to conservation, education, and recreation. The state parks system welcomes more than 19 million visitors annually.
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The 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. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.