Awards & Recognition

Thousands of employees, volunteers, and partners are committed to ensuring that the National Park System represents America at its best. The men and women who make up the National Park Service embody the spirit of America—dedicated, creative, and hard-working people who care passionately about preserving the lands and cultures that epitomize our shared American heritage.

We're proud of our employees and those who work with us and their dedication and amazing diversity of skills and talents. It is our privilege to recognize and celebrate their outstanding achievements through awards.

Learn more about our employees or how you can join our team.

2026 National Awards Recipients

Celebrate our employees, volunteers, and partners for exemplary work in their professions across the National Park Service.

Featured National Awards

Archeology Awards

These awards recognize National Park Service archeologists’ professional achievements.

Cooperating Association Awards

These national awards celebrate the contributions of our partnering cooperating associations.

Education Awards

These national awards recognize innovation within education program planning, development, and implementation.

Fire Achievement Awards

These national awards recognize achievements in reducing risk, preventing fires, and effective wildland fire management.

Interpretation Awards

These national awards are presented to National Park Service employees for innovative contributions in interpretive programming.

Management & Administration Awards

These national awards recognize outstanding work in management, administration, information technology, and information management.

Natural & Cultural Resources Awards

These national awards celebrate outstanding stewardship of natural and cultural resources in national parks.

Park Planning, Facilities & Lands Awards

These national awards recognize excellent work related to engineering, accessibility, and facilities management.

Law Enforcement Awards

The national awards recognize individuals who exemplify high standards of law enforcement in national parks.

Safety, Health & Wellness Awards

These national awards comend achievements in visitor safety and employee safety, health, and wellness.

Volunteerism Awards

These national awards celebrate the invaluable service of National Park Service volunteers and volunteer programs.

Wilderness Stewardship Awards

These national awards recognize outstanding contributions of wilderness stewardship and management in national parks.