Former Wrangell-St. Elias Superintendent Receives Award
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PRESS RELEASE
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| Date: | November 16, 2004 |
| Contact: | Jim Stratton, NPCA, 907-277-6722 ext. 23, cell: 907-229-9761 |
Former Wrangell-St. Elias Superintendent Receives Award
“Candelaria has worked tirelessly within the Park Service and with local park constituents to build understanding, cooperation, and support for preserving and protecting Wrangell-St. Elias and its talented staff,” said NPCA Vice President for Government Affairs Craig Obey, who presented the award today at the annual meeting of the Association of National Park Rangers.
“Despite being cast as the villain by some local politicians, Candelaria worked in the best interest of the park,” added NPCA Alaska Regional Director Jim Stratton. “He always put park protection and upholding the law first. He made some tough political decision knowing the fallout would hurt, but he didn’t waver, he stood up for what was right.”
At more than 13 million acres, Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest site in the National Park System. It is also one of the few national parks in Alaska connected to the state highway system. The park contains the largest concentration of glaciers, the largest sub-polar ice cap, and nine of the continent’s 16 highest mountains, including the second-highest in the United States¯Mt. St. Elias, at 18,008 feet. The park was created, in part, to preserve the majestic scenic beauty and wildlife of the area.
Named for the first director of the National Park Service, the Stephen T. Mather Award is given annually to people who have demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness in promoting environmental protection in the national parks, taken significant action where others have hesitated, and exemplified the principles of good park stewardship.
