2026 Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Awards

The annual National Park Service Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Awards recognize outstanding contributions to wilderness stewardship by an individual, team, or external partner, including those involving interpretation and education; management of natural, cultural, and social resources; planning; protection; and maintenance operations. Award recipients are nominated by fellow National Park Service staff and selected by an interdisciplinary panel.

Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship - Individual Wilderness Champion

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to wilderness stewardship by an individual, including interdisciplinary programs that support wilderness stewardship (i.e., interpretation and education; management of natural, cultural, and social resources; planning; visitor and resource protection; or maintenance operations).

Erik Frenzel

Regional Planner and Wilderness Coordinator, Pacific West Regional Office

Erik Frenzel’s depth of knowledge, sharp insight, and passion for wilderness stewardship supported wilderness management across the National Park Service’s Pacific West Region. He planned and taught in the National Park Service Advanced Minimum Requirements Analysis Training, organized monthly virtual meetups for regional staff, and helped staff across the region with technical wilderness questions.

Erik’s accomplishments empowered National Park Service staff with information and skills needed to steward wilderness with excellence. By cultivating connections and building awareness of wilderness topics, Erik fostered a community across the agency to preserve wilderness for future generations of Americans to enjoy.

Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship - Wilderness Stewardship Team or Group

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to wilderness stewardship by a team, including interdisciplinary programs that support wilderness stewardship (i.e., interpretation and education; management of natural, cultural, and social resources; planning; visitor and resource protection; or maintenance operations).

Members of the Olympic National Park Wilderness Committee NPS Photo / Eliza Goode

Olympic National Park Wilderness Committee

Kelly Sutton - Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor (Trails)

Catharine Copass - Supervisory Botanist

Bill Baccus - Physical Science Technician

Heidi Brill

Chase Lewine

Mike Nordell - Supervisory Park Ranger

Ashley Turcotte

Miranda Terwilliger - Wildlife Branch Lead

Jeff Bortner - Fire Management Officer (US Fish and Wildlife Service)

Scott Jacobs (retired)

Parker Lindenberg

Olympic National Park

The newly formed Olympic National Park Wilderness Committee got straight to work assembling a variety of expertise to strengthen wilderness protections within the park. They achieved an outstanding milestone in their inaugural year when their efforts to modernize wilderness food storage led to updates in the Olympic National Park’s superintendent’s compendium, an official list of park-specific rules.

The committee’s efforts improved visitor and wildlife safety while supporting long-term preservation of wilderness character across a large and complex national park. They also demonstrated the effectiveness of well-organized, highly motivated multidisciplinary teams collaborating on wilderness stewardship.

Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship - External Wilderness Stewardship Partner or Volunteer

This award recognizes outstanding contributions to wilderness stewardship by a non-government partner or volunteer, including interdisciplinary programs that support wilderness stewardship (i.e., interpretation and education; management of natural, cultural, and social resources; planning; visitor and resource protection; or maintenance operations).

Jessica Hearns

Research Associate, Great Basin Institute

Jess Hearns shared her expertise with Death Valley National Park as a research associate from the Great Basin Institute. Jess served on the park’s wilderness committee and brought her collaborative leadership to a variety of wilderness preservation projects, including flood recovery efforts, human waste management, and visitor education. She was also an instructor at an interagency regional wilderness stewardship training.

Jess’ invaluable achievements strengthened the National Park Service’s mission by improving on-the-ground wilderness management, enhancing wilderness-related training for staff, and fostering a culture of collaboration with partners. Her efforts advanced wilderness stewardship within Death Valley National Park and beyond.

Annual Awards

Learn more about the National Park Service Excellence in Wilderness Stewardship Awards.

Where this belongs

• Death Valley National Park
• Olympic National Park

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