Neubacher Named Superintendent of Yosemite National Park
National Park Service News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 2, 2010
Contact: David Barna (202) 208-6843
Gerry Gaumer (202) 208-6843
Neubacher Named Superintendent of Yosemite National Park
WASHINGTON – Don Neubacher has been selected as the new superintendent of Yosemite National Park in California. Neubacher takes over from David Uberuaga who has been acting superintendent since Mike Tollefson retired last year.
Yosemite National Park is one of the icons of the National Park System.
Set aside as a national park in 1890 because of the spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, the park preserves stunning waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world’s largest living things. Yosemite National Park welcomes more than three million visitors annually and is home to one of the most complex ecosystems in the world.
“Don is a seasoned manager who has proven himself time and time again to be an exceptional leader,” said National Park Service (NPS) Director Jon Jarvis. “He brings a thoughtful approach to the vast range of issues faced by a modern park manager in protecting park resources, providing quality experiences to our visitors, and motivating a highly professional staff.
Yosemite is a high priority position, and I appreciate Don taking on this new challenge.”
“I also want to commend Dave Uberuaga for his stellar work leading Yosemite during this year-long transition,” said Jarvis. “Dave stepped into one of most complex assignments in the National Park System and never missed a beat. He got up to speed quickly, moved negotiations along on the largest concession contract in the system, and provided the day-to-day leadership that our partners and employees need to care for Yosemite.”
“Yosemite National Park has an inspired staff that has been a leader in preserving one of the nation’s most sacred treasures,” said Neubacher. “I look forward to working with park staff and the many partners and interested groups to ensure Yosemite’s future is unimpaired for generations to come.”
Neubacher has been superintendent at Point Reyes National Seashore for the past 15 years. During his tenure, he was responsible for completing a number of important initiatives including the Giacomini Wetlands Restoration Plan/EIS, the Fire Management Plan, the Coastal Watershed Restoration Plan/EIS, and the implementation of the park’s Land Protection Plan.
A 28-year veteran of the National Park Service, Neubacher has previously served as deputy general manager of the Presidio of San Francisco, chief of visitor services at Point Reyes, education program administrator at Point Reyes, seminar coordinator for the Coastal Park Association, natural resources lecturer for Humboldt State University, and park ranger at Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska.
Neubacher is a 2006 graduate of the Senior Executive Service training.
Honors and awards include: the Sierra Club Resource Conservation Award in 2008, the NPS Director’s Award for Wilderness Stewardship (2005), the Department of the Interior Environmental Achievement Award (2002), Superintendent of the Year/ Pacific West Region (2001), Meritorious Service Award, Department of the Interior (2000); and Superintendent of the Year, Natural Resource Management, Pacific West Region (1998).
Neubacher is a graduate of the University of California-Davis where he received a bachelor of science degree in planning and management and Humboldt State University in Arcata, California where he received a master’s degree in natural resource management.
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