2011 Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award

In the tradition of Harry Yount, the National Park Service honors rangers who have the skills to perform a wide scope of ranger duties - protecting resources and serving visitors.

Congratulations to the 2011 recipient of the Harry Yount National Park Ranger Award!

Lisa Hendy

Lisa Hendy, Supervisory Park Ranger

Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

On any day ranger Hendy could be anywhere: rappelling over the rim of the Grand Canyon to stabilize a patient, working with the Grand Canyon Special Response Team to do a building sweep, responding with the structural fire engine to a burning RV, providing advanced life support as a paramedic on a middle of the night cardiac call, be short-hauled in to a victim on the river, or patrolling the backcountry - checking permits, stirring toilets, and assessing archeological sites. Or just answering visitor questions.

"If a flood of incidents occurred while Lisa Hendy was at Phantom Ranch," say a fellow ranger, "no matter what it was, everything would be alright."

Many rangers tend to specialize in specific ranger skills depending on their abilities, but Hendy is one of that rare breed, these days, that simply excel at every aspect of rangering, says Grand Canyon's chief ranger. "Her level head and clear thinking are obvious and can be noted in the manner that she supervises and supports her staff."