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, Calif., where he
received a master’s degree in natural resource management.
