Last updated: August 7, 2025
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2025 Director's Awards for Natural and Cultural Resources
Each year, the National Park Service honors exemplary work conducted in natural and cultural resource stewardship and management. These awards recognize employees who go above and beyond day-to-day duties to solve problems or create new opportunities or projects with creative thinking and action. Award recipients will be recognized at the 2025 National Service Awards Ceremony for their work completed in 2024.
Director's Award for Cultural Resource Stewardship by a Superintendent
Jennifer Hardin
Superintendent, Salem Maritime National Historical Park
Jennifer Hardin, superintendent of Salem Maritime National Historic Site, has won the Director's Natural Resource Award for Cultural Resource Stewardship by a Superintendent. In 2024, the National Park Service completed important repairs to Derby Wharf at Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
Derby Wharf, a historic half-mile-long dry laid wharf, is a primary feature of the park. Since it was last repaired in the 1990s, Derby Wharf has been damaged by increasingly strong storms and detrimental high tides. With Jennifer’s commitment and leadership, the park was able to complete this project to protect and strengthen the wharf, improve visitor safety, and protect the important subsurface archeological material.
Jennifer’s interdisciplinary approach to compliance and public outreach made sure that this significant project and all of its complexities were considered, and the public was informed throughout the planning and construction.
The successful repair of Derby Wharf in 2024 is a significant accomplishment in cultural resource management at Salem Maritime National Historic Site and ensures that one of the park’s most popular historic places will remain safe and open for visitors for years to come.
Director's Award for Excellence in Cultural Resource Stewardship by a Facilities Maintenance Specialist
Hunter Nish
Historic Preservation Maintenance Worker, Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Since 2022, Hunter has worked to protect and preserve one of the only standing puddled adobe compounds left in the American southwest. His contributions to the preservation work in 2024 at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument were instrumental in preventing wall collapses during Arizona’s monsoon season, where heavy rains threatened the original structure. The treatments Hunter applied were the only thing standing between the rain and original fabric. His attention to detail and work with resource staff have helped document the effect of previous treatments on the walls of Compound A and determine an effective preservation mix.
Hunter, a member of the Gila River Indian Community, which is affiliated with Casa Grande, has brought invaluable traditional cultural knowledge to the preservation work at Casa Grande. He has engaged tribal members in preservation events that he organized within his community to give indigenous members the opportunity to develop hands-on skills and work to preserve their cultural heritage.
His work at Casa Grande is a stellar example of the ideals of the National Park Service's mandate to preserve resources unimpaired for future generations.
Director's Award for Excellence in Cultural Resource Stewardship by a Cultural Resources Specialist
Athena Zissis
Native Affairs Program Specialist, Office of Native American Affairs
In 2024, Athena Zissis’s dedication and consistent effort to build robust, regular, and trust-based relationships with sovereign partners effectively shepherded the northeast region’s complex compliance needed for Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) projects.
Athena played a pivotal role in formalizing tribal relationships at Gateway National Recreation Area, Independence Hall National Historical Park, Saint Gaudens National Historical Park, Hampton National Historic Site, Minute Man National Historical Park, New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, and Cape Cod National Seashore, then worked to make sure cultural resource staff was more firmly connected to tribal partners during major GAOA construction projects.
At Delaware Water Gap, Athena set up regular meetings with Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs), improved communication between the park and Tribes, and helped connect tribal partners with the park’s archaeology team. Athena was instrumental in the development of a tribal specialist training program that will create a pipeline of talented monitors and resources specialists, a program that will help meet the growing demand for tribal resource staff as federal projects continue. Her work paved the way for parks to realize important tribal self-determination outcomes through cultural resource stewardship in fulfillment of the trust responsibility to Indian Tribes.
Director's Superintendent of the Year Award for Natural Resource Stewardship
Gregory Hauburger
Superintendent, Congaree National Park
Gregory Hauburger, superintendent of Congaree National Park, has won the Director's Natural Resource Award for Superintendent of the Year in recognition of his outstanding contributions to natural resource management during the award year 2024.
Greg exemplifies commitment and innovation in his role, tirelessly advocating for natural resource stewardship and fostering sustainable management practices that balance the needs of the environment with those of park visitors and stakeholders. His hands-on leadership approach, evidenced by his involvement in projects ranging from prescribed fire operations to habitat improvement efforts, inspires his team to achieve remarkable results.
Notably in 2024, under Greg's guidance, Congaree successfully conducted its largest prescribed burn on 965 acres and is making significant strides toward reintroducing the federally listed red-cockaded woodpecker through habitat restoration initiatives. His effective collaboration with federal and state agencies and his budget-conscious management ensure that Congaree's natural resources are preserved and enhanced, setting a model for other national parks.
Greg's unwavering dedication and innovative approach have not only transformed natural resource management at Congaree but also have the potential to inspire similar efforts across the National Park Service.
Director’s Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship through Maintenance Award
Stacy A. Hill
Maintenance Worker, C&O Canal National Historical Park
Stacy Hill is recognized for remarkable contributions to natural resource projects through maintenance at C&O Canal National Historical Park in 2024.
As a vital team member, Stacy showcased expertise in machinery and leadership through two significant projects, including a summer 2024 grassland restoration effort that transformed 70 acres of encroached box elder forest and agricultural fields back into native grasslands. Stacy's proficient operation of brush mowers, forestry mulchers, and native seed drills facilitated the safe and efficient removal of woody vegetation and the meticulous seeding process. Additionally, Stacy played a crucial role in transporting 2,000 rare, threatened, and endangered plants for a propagation project, completing two 300-mile round trips without damaging any specimens.
Stacy's innovative approach, including custom shelving fabrication in the transport trailer, greatly enhanced plant survival rates and sped up the outplanting process. Stacy's dedicated efforts not only achieved ecological benefits but also established best practices that can guide future restoration initiatives across the National Capital Region.
Stacy's work has set a new standard for grassland and rare plant restoration, underscoring Stacy's invaluable impact on the park's natural resource management.
Director’s Award for Natural Resource Research
Jim Lynch
Biologist, Northeast RegionJames (Jim) C. Lynch is recognized for his exceptional contributions to coastal marsh research and resource management in 2024.
Using the Surface Elevation Table – Marker Horizon (SET-MH), Jim has developed a vital tool for measuring marsh elevation changes and assessing the resilience of coastal wetlands to sea-level rise. He established and led a long-term monitoring initiative across seven park units, installing over 100 SET-MH stations and personally conducting biannual measurements.
In a 2024 special issue of the journal Estuaries and Coasts dedicated to studies related to the SET-MH methodology, Jim served as author on three of these publications (focused on Fire Island National Seashore, Assateague Island National Seashore, and Everglades National Park/Biscayne National Park). His extensive outreach efforts have provided park managers with critical insights into marsh health, enabling them to implement effective management strategies.
Jim's remarkable expertise and dedication to coastal resource management make him a deserving candidate for this prestigious award.
Director’s Award for Natural Resource Management
Theresa Yednock
Biological Science Technician, Congaree National ParkTheresa Yednock has displayed exceptional dedication and expertise at Congaree National Park, where she has been instrumental in managing and restoring the park's unique ecosystems.
Theresa took charge in combating invasive species that threatened the rare longleaf pine forests, rallying support and championing ongoing restoration initiatives. Her leadership has resulted in the establishment of effective programs for invasive species management, pest management, and prescribed fire.
Theresa's profound knowledge of natural resource management, particularly regarding prescribed burning and firefly conservation, enhanced Congaree's ecological health and visitor experiences in 2024, including the renowned synchronous firefly viewing event. Her tireless advocacy for every element of the park's biodiversity has solidified her reputation as a leading voice in conservation efforts, making her a deserving awardee for the Natural Resource Management award.
Director's Award for Natural Resource Management in a Small Park
Layne K. Strickler
Natural Resource Program Manager, C&O Canal National Historical ParkLayne Strickler's is recognized for her exceptional leadership and dedication to the protection and conservation of rare, threatened, and endangered plant species at C&O Canal National Historical Park in 2024.
As the Natural Resources Program Manager, Layne spearheaded a comprehensive program that monitors, propagates, and supplements over 190 rare plant species, employing innovative techniques such as large-scale wild seed collections and the outplanting of thousands of propagated individuals. Under her guidance, over 30,000 seeds have been collected, and more than 3,000 plants have been successfully outplanted, achieving an impressive survival rate of over 90%.
Layne's expertise in geospatial technology and her pioneering mitigation measures have set a new standard for rare plant species conservation, influencing practices not just within her park but also across multiple national parks and agencies. Her leadership extended beyond the park boundaries, as she actively collaborated with partners and shares vital knowledge, facilitating numerous multi-park conservation initiatives.
Through her ongoing projects and commitment to documentation, Layne created valuable resources for both the scientific community and practitioners in the field of conservation, ensuring that her impactful work continues to benefit future generations.
Director’s Award for Professional Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship
Jeff C. Hughes
Hydrologist, Natural Resource Stewardship & ScienceJeff C. Hughes, retired hydrologist with the Natural Resource Stewardship & Science Directorate, has made significant contributions to the protection and management of water rights across multiple national parks during his 35-year career with the National Park Service Water Rights Branch. Over the past four years, he has been instrumental in safeguarding federal reserved water rights and groundwater-dependent ecosystems at Bryce Canyon National Park, orchestrating joint geological research, groundwater monitoring, and collaborating with key stakeholders. His leadership also extends to negotiating water rights agreements for several national parks in Utah, including Capitol Reef, where he has reviewed historical data and authored draft settlement agreements that are nearing finalization.
Jeff has similarly led efforts to address potential threats to water resources at Cedar Breaks National Monument and conducted hydrological studies for Great Basin National Park. His efforts in fostering cooperation with various agencies and stakeholders have established critical frameworks for water rights management. Throughout his career, Jeff has provided invaluable technical guidance, conducted comprehensive evaluations, and engaged in complex legal matters, consistently demonstrating a commitment to preserving the water resources critical to the mission of the National Park Service. He was nominated for this award by staff at Capitol Reef National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, Great Basin National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Pipe Springs National Monument, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, and Zion National Park.