2026 Director's Awards for Natural and Cultural Resources

The annual Director's Awards for Natural and Cultural Resources honor exemplary work conducted in resource stewardship and management. These awards recognize employees who go above and beyond day-to-day duties to solve problems, create new opportunities, or undertake projects through creative thinking and action. Their work may serve as examples or models for programs across the National Park Service.

Director’s Award for Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship through Maintenance

This award recognizes a facilities management employee for outstanding contributions in natural resource management.

Maintenance Worker Mario Armijo

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Mario Armijo

Maintenance Worker, Pecos National Historical Park

Maintenance Worker Mario Armijo showed exceptional commitment to natural resource stewardship by removing illegally dumped waste from park lands and the Pecos River, going well beyond his assigned duties.

In 2025, Mario removed and properly disposed of 77 discarded tires and thousands of pounds of additional debris. His consistent, self-directed actions protected park resources. His work enhanced the visitor experience and preserved the surrounding community.

Mario showed dedication, initiative, and a willingness to address environmental challenges. His actions exemplified the vital role maintenance employees play in resource stewardship. He demonstrated how individual commitment can produce lasting conservation benefits.

Director’s Award for Natural Resource Research

This award recognizes a federal employee or non-federal researcher for their outstanding contributions to natural resource research benefiting national parks during the award fiscal year.

Vegetation Ecologist Amelia Ryan

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Amelia Ryan

Vegetation Ecologist, Pinnacles National Park

Vegetation Ecologist Amelia Ryan showed outstanding scientific leadership by advancing several high-impact research initiatives at Pinnacles National Park. Her work directly supported natural resource stewardship.

Amelia developed a rigorous grassland restoration study and led valley oak recruitment research. She expanded fungal biodiversity inventories and advanced post-wildfire monitoring. She also supported recognizing the Pinnacles jewelflower as a newly identified species.

Amelia's research gave park managers practical, science-based tools to restore ecosystems. Through innovative partnerships and collaborative leadership, she produced beneficial management approaches. The models and data she developed can inform natural resource stewardship across the National Park Service.

Director’s Superintendent of the Year Award for Natural Resource Stewardship

This award recognizes a superintendent for outstanding contributions, creative leadership, and direction and support in natural resource management.

Superintendent Matthew Woods

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Matthew Woods

Superintendent, Moores Creek National Battlefield

Superintendent Matthew Woods transformed Moores Creek National Battlefield’s approach to natural resource stewardship. He did this by building a comprehensive, science-based resource management program without the benefit of a dedicated resource management division.

Through strategic leadership, he secured funding for a natural resource condition assessment. He established key partnerships and modernized fire and vegetation management. He also created the park's first sustained resource management internship program.

By integrating science, partnerships, and long-term planning into park operations, Matthew developed a sustainable framework for protecting the park's natural resources, tackling challenges like invasive species, habitat restoration, and flood impacts. He created a model of natural resource stewardship that can be replicated at small and under-resourced parks throughout the National Park Service.

Director’s Award for Natural Resource Management

This award recognizes an employee for their significant contribution to natural resource management in parks during the award fiscal year, particularly a contribution that resulted in the adoption of a new or improved resource management practice and/or approach by the National Park Service.

Ecologist Stacey Kehaulani Torigoe

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Stacey Kehaulani Torigoe

Ecologist, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Ecologist Stacey Torigoe demonstrated exceptional leadership in natural resource management at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, directing one of the Pacific West Region's most complex invasive species and biosecurity programs.

Stacey led the safe and effective management of more than 50 invasive plant species. She ensured uninterrupted biosecurity inspections during a 43-day government shutdown. She provided technical leadership and operational support to parks across the Pacific Islands region.

Stacey's work protected native ecosystems and strengthened their resilience. She advanced biosecurity that safeguarded park resources, visitors, and critical infrastructure. She fostered regional collaboration, innovative workforce leadership, and tools and partnerships to build long-term capacity.

Director's Award for Natural Resource Management in a Small Park

This award rewards achievements in natural resource management in small parks.

Paleontologist Lindsey Yann

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Lindsey Yann

Paleontologist, Waco Mammoth National Monument

Paleontologist Lindsey Yann demonstrated exceptional innovation by co-developing the "Mayborn Method." This was a groundbreaking fossil stabilization technique that transformed the preservation and study of fragile paleontological resources.

Lindsey showed leadership in developing, testing, implementing, and training others in this lightweight, reversible conservation method. This significantly improved the care, transport, and scientific analysis of delicate fossil specimens, advancing research and collections management.

The Mayborn Method strengthened the National Park Service's ability to preserve irreplaceable paleontological resources. It provided a practical, science-based approach that supported long-term conservation and advanced imaging. It was a scalable technique that could be adopted by parks with diverse collections and resource needs.

Lindsey’s work advanced natural resource stewardship well beyond Waco Mammoth National Monument and established a lasting model for fossil conservation across the National Park Service.

Director’s Award for Professional Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship

This award recognizes an individual who significantly contributes to resource management successes by employing a high degree of technical excellence in a narrowly focused, professional role.

Botanist Daniel Mason

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Dan Mason

Botanist, Indiana Dunes National Park

Botanist Daniel Mason led the restoration of more than 1,100 acres of the Great Marsh at Indiana Dunes National Park. This was one of the most significant wetland restoration efforts in the Great Lakes region, and it strengthened one of the National Park Service’s most ecologically important wetland systems.

Through science-based planning, innovative partnerships, and sustained leadership, Dan restored natural hydrology, removed invasive species, and re-established native plant communities. His work transformed a highly degraded landscape into a thriving wetland ecosystem and restored critical habitat for native wildlife. It is a model for large-scale restoration that continues to inform servicewide conservation efforts.

Dan’s legacy of scientific excellence, adaptive management, and resource professional mentoring benefits Indiana Dunes National Park and natural resource stewardship nationwide.

Director's Award for Excellence in Cultural Resource Management & Stewardship by a Superintendent

This award recognizes the outstanding and creative contributions of a park superintendent in the field of cultural resource management and stewardship.

Superintendent Gia Wagner

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Gia Wagner

Superintendent, Andersonville National Historic Site

Superintendent Gia Wagner demonstrated exceptional leadership in expanding the capacity of Andersonville National Cemetery through a major preservation project. She did this while protecting the park’s historic character and commemorative landscape.

Gia also co-authored the National Cemetery Standards. These standards established a comprehensive framework for the stewardship of National Park Service national cemeteries.

Gia balanced preservation, operational needs, and stakeholder collaboration to benefit veterans, visitors, and nationally significant cultural resources. Her accomplishments ensured the long-term preservation and continued use of Andersonville National Cemetery.

Director’s Award for Excellence in Cultural Resource Management & Stewardship by a Facility Maintenance Specialist

This award recognizes the outstanding and creative contributions of a facilities maintenance specialist who has demonstrated excellence in cultural resource management through facilities maintenance and stewardship practices.

Maintenance Mechanic Michael Kertiss

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Michael Kertiss

Maintenance Mechanic, Catoctin Mountain Park

Maintenance Mechanic Michael Kertiss demonstrated outstanding dedication to preserving the historic log cabins at Catoctin Mountain Park. He researched, tested, and implemented historically appropriate wood treatment methods.

His leadership established park-wide standards using linseed oil-based finishes. They improved the long-term preservation and appearance of nearly 60 Works Progress Administration-era buildings.

Michael's work enhanced the preservation of nationally significant historic structures. He promoted practical, sustainable, maintenance practices that aligned with historic preservation standards.

Michael’s research and collaboration advanced stewardship at Catoctin Mountain Park and inspired similar preservation at other National Park Service sites.

Director’s Award for Excellence in Cultural Resource Management & Stewardship by a Cultural Resource Specialist

This award recognizes the expertise and outstanding contributions of a cultural resource specialist in the field of cultural resource stewardship and management.

Chief of Cultural Resources Kristin Hoppa

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Kristin Hoppa

Chief of Cultural Resources, Channel Islands National Park

Chief of Cultural Resources Kristin Hoppa demonstrated exceptional leadership in advancing cultural resource stewardship. She implemented Channel Islands National Park’s Comprehensive Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act Agreement. She improved archeological inventory, policy implementation, and interagency coordination.

Through sustained collaboration and informed decision making, Kristin deepened relationships with the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. Her improvements to consultation, training, and documentation established a model for cultural resource management. This model will benefit the National Park Service for years to come.

Annual Director's Awards

Learn more about the annual Director's Awards for Natural and Cultural Resources.

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