Last updated: August 5, 2026
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2026 Director's Safety, Health, and Wellness Achievement Awards
The Director's Safety, Health, and Wellness Achievement Awards are the highest awards bestowed by the National Park Service for outstanding visitor safety and employee safety and health achievements.
The Director's Safety and Health Achievement Award recognizes an employee or team that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to improving occupational safety and health within the National Park Service through significant achievements in the cultivation of a safe and healthful work environment for employees.
The Director's Wellness and Resilience Achievement Award recognizes employees for enhancing wellness and building resilience in the workplace.
The Director's Visitor Safety Achievement Awards recognize significant achievements in reducing hazards or behaviors that either increase the risk of or result in visitor injuries, both fatal and non-fatal, and improving visitor injury outcomes.
Director’s Award for Visitor Safety Achievement (formerly the Andrew Clark Hecht Public Safety Achievement Award)
This award is presented to an individual employee and/or a team of employees for the prevention of accidents that may cause serious visitor injuries or fatalities.
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SLBE Visitor and Resource Protection Team
Scott Dekkers - Chief Ranger
Andy Blake - Senior Staff Ranger
Paul Chalup - District Ranger
Micah Webber - Law Enforcement Ranger
Nate Mazurek - Law Enforcement Ranger
Luke Wassink - Law Enforcement Ranger
Logan Bahm - Law Enforcement Ranger
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor and Resources Protection Division carried out a comprehensive visitor-safety initiative during fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 through September 2025). Their goal was to reduce high-risk accidents across the park’s dunes, bluffs, beaches, and remote backcountry.
This team tackled the park’s most persistent safety challenges by improving hazards communication, using clearer wayfinding, adjusting trail routing to avoid hazardous bluff conditions, and expanding ranger outreach with visitors. They also strengthened timely and unified emergency response with neighboring local agencies, including the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, and 911 dispatch and Glen Lake Fire.
Their efforts reduced preventable injuries within the park. Visitors were more empowered and equipped with knowledge to safely enjoy the park’s beautiful landscapes, while coordinated emergency response was greatly improved for when injuries did happen.
Director’s Award for Safety and Health Achievement
This award recognizes significant achievements in the cultivation of a safe and healthful work environment for employees.
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Amber Simms
Safety and Occupational Health Manager, George Washington Memorial Parkway
Amber Simms demonstrated exceptional leadership improving safety at the George Washington Memorial Parkway —and throughout the National Park Service’s National Capital Region. She developed and implemented a strategy to strengthen occupational safety and health across her region at a time when safety staffing was tight.
Amber collaborated closely with park and regional leadership to identify emerging needs, conduct fire and life safety inspections, support special event safety planning, and ensure priority safety work continued. She mentored and trained newly hired safety managers across the region to help rebuild long‑term capacity. Amber also participated in the pilot review and testing of the revised Safety, Health, and Wellness Strategy and e‑Tool before its national rollout.
Amber’s work significantly bolstered the region’s ability to protect employees and visitors through proactive development and sharing of safety and health resources. Her collaborative approach ensured consistent, reliable safety practices across national parks and strengthened preparedness for major special events.
Director's Award for Wellness and Resilience Achievement
This award recognizes employees for enhancing wellness and building resilience in our workplace.
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OZAR Wellness Initiative Team
Patrick Jackson - Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection)
Jacob “Lane” Crowley - Park Ranger
Zachary Swindle - Park Ranger (Protection)
Brandon Conaway - Park Ranger (Protection)
Daniel Dodd - Supervisory Park Ranger (Protection)
Daniel Newberry - Chief Law Enforcement Officer
Nicholas Frazier - Park Ranger (Protection)
Ozark National Scenic Riverways
A group of law enforcement rangers at Ozark National Scenic Riverways developed a self-driven wellness program for their team. It included peer coaching, team accountability, structured fitness, and stress management to support wellness and resilience.
The team motivated a culture shift that strengthened morale, teamwork, and social connection through daily engagement and sustainable practices. Their efforts led to improved employee health, readiness, resilience, and workplace cohesion.
The measurable improvements in staff well-being and team connectedness demonstrated an approach that can inspire wellness efforts across the agency.