Research Learning Center Director Receives Regional Award

News Release Date: November 18, 2013

Contact: Denise Germann, 406 888 5838

Glacier National Park Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center Director Tara Carolin was recently awarded the 2013 National Park Service Intermountain Region Director’s Award for Professional Excellence in Natural Resource Research.

As center director since 2009, Carolin has created and nurtured science and research partnerships; communicated science results to natural resource managers, the academic community, teachers and the public; served in the Rocky Mountain Inventory and Monitoring Network and communicated its monitoring results; encouraged and assisted student research and intern mentorship; been a leader in climate change research, communication and adaptation planning; provided leadership for the park’s citizen science program for more cost-effective monitoring and science education; and disseminated research results.

In addition to Glacier National Park, Carolin’s work supports Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta, Canada.

Glacier National Park Superintendent Jeff Mow said, “We are pleased with Tara's leadership at the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center. The center provides leadership across the National Park Service through their success in facilitating research and communicating research results."

In response to the recognition, Carolin said, “I was both very surprised and honored to receive the award. I want to thank all of the incredible staff at the Crown of the Continent Research Learning Center who carry out many of the projects that were included in the award nomination. All of these accomplishments couldn't have happened without their dedication and hard work."

Carolin’s career includes 22 years with the National Park Service. She has a master’s degree in wildlife and range resources from Brigham Young University. She serves on the board of the Flathead Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society, and lives in Creston with her husband.  

As a regional recipient of the award, Carolin is eligible for a national award that will be presented at a later date.