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.
