National Parks Group Honors South East Utah Superintendent with Stephen T. Mather Award

WASHINGTON – National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) awarded its Stephen T. Mather Award to South East Utah National Park Superintendent Kate Cannon today in honor of her decades of work on behalf of our national parks.

Cannon is being honored for her leadership and skillful collaboration in support of, among other things, the highly touted Moab Master Leasing Plan, which helps to protect Utah landmarks like Arches and Canyonlands national parks from the impacts of nearby oil and gas development.

She is also being recognized for her deep commitment to the protection of park view sheds throughout Utah with her strong advocacy for compliance with the Regional Haze Rule, the federal program designed to reduce air pollution in and near national parks.

“Kate has a deep commitment to protecting America’s favorite places, and should serve as a model for all those who work on behalf of our national parks,” said Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of NPCA. “Her tenacity, creativity and resolve in dealing with issues has set a high standard that will help ensure parks in Utah and across the country thrive well into their next century. We are so proud to honor her with this well-deserved award.”

Before being named in 2006 superintendent of the Southeast Utah Group, which includes Arches and Canyonlands national parks as well as Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments, Cannon served as deputy superintendent of Grand Canyon National Park.

From 1990 to 1997, she served as superintendent of Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota. She also worked as a concessions management specialist at Glen Canyon Recreation Area, resource management specialist at Northwest Alaska Areas, concessions management assistant in the Alaska Regional Office, and as a park ranger at Yukon-Charley National Preserve in Alaska, Canyonlands National Park, Isle Royale National Park in Michigan, and North Cascades National Park in Washington.

The Stephen T. Mather Award, endowed by Booz Allen Hamilton, was presented at this year’s 39th annual Ranger Rendezvous in Santa Fe, New Mexico. First awarded in 1984 and named after the first director of the National Park Service, the award is given to individuals who have shown steadfast leadership and persistent dedication to our national parks.

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About National Parks Conservation Association

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.