Message from Grand Teton National Park, Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott

This past spring, National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis requested that I step in to serve as acting director of the Intermountain Region for four months until a permanent director could be selected. Although it was difficult to leave Grand Teton, I was privileged to lead 6,000 NPS employees working across a vast and varied area that contains 92 park units, 230 national historic landmarks and more than 11,000 properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The region includes 11.1 million acres in eight western states and some of our most iconic places—Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion, Arches and Canyonlands, Rocky Mountain and Glacier, Mesa Verde and Canyon de Chelly, Big Bend and Padre Islands, plus our very own Grand Teton. You can’t imagine the scope and management complexities of the Intermountain Region until you travel from Canada to the Mexican border as I did during my detail. Among the diverse opportunities that this new assignment gave me was the chance to examine how other parks and their partner organizations were faring; it also allowed me to reflect on the wide range and variety of partnerships that Grand Teton supports. Partners definitely help advance a particular park’s mission and move its long-term goals in a positive direction. Grand Teton could not accomplish some of its critical trail maintenance, visitor service, and wildlife conservation programs without your help.

The very week that I returned to Grand Teton, we conducted the largest search and rescue operation in the park’s history during a complex mission to save 17 climbers hit by lightning on the Grand Teton. This single event brought home in a very tangible way what an incredible team I have in this park. The coordinated and heroic efforts of park staff combined with Exum guides, Teton Interagency personnel and other organizations across Jackson Hole—especially the emergency doctors and medical team at St. John’s Medical Center—absolutely saved lives. This crisis situation demonstrated what extensive training and true cooperation can accomplish. I was reminded again how proud I am to serve with such a talented and dedicated group of professionals and how lucky this park is to receive the support of the Jackson Hole community, its organizations and agencies.

It’s been a rewarding and amazing past few months; however, we now turn our attention to the future. Director Jarvis recently challenged us to foster several key initiatives in the months and years ahead. His four main priorities—stewardship, relevance, education, and workforce—will guide our actions at the park level, as well as in the national arena. In support of Director Jarvis’ platform, we are looking for ways to inspire new stewards and foster the notion of conservation stewardship that is so vital for preserving our priceless resources. We will also take new steps to remain relevant in a digital age, increase diversity in our workforce, and reach out with innovative and compelling programs to enlighten and educate children and adults alike.

We take these next steps, knowing that our partners will join us in providing the support necessary to achieve these worthy goals.