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Paul Harris
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Paul Harris is a heavy equipment operator at Redwood National and State Parks, California. Since he began in this position more than a decade ago, Paul has taken his job to the next level. Paul’s skill has helped make ecological restoration projects a success by turning the vision of scientists into reality. “I enjoy putting the landscape back to where higher intelligence thinks it needs to be,” he says. His accomplishments earned him the 2002 Director’s Award for Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship Through Maintenance.
Presenting the award last August, Mike Soukup, NPS Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, introduced Paul as “the surgeon general of the National Park Service maintenance force.” Paul is known for his superior ability to operate equipment and direct crews in environmentally sensitive areas. For Paul the skill comes naturally: “I’m just accomplishing the tasks that need to be done; I try to improve the roads and parks without harming anything important.” Paul manipulates massive machinery to perform delicate and precise tasks. His talent was put to the test in returning 3 acres of paved sawmill yard to the original stream and wetland configuration established by hydrologists. Known as the Elk Meadow Day Use Area, it is now the focal point for visitor observation of Roosevelt elk, great blue heron, kingfisher, and green-winged teal, among other wildlife. For Paul to complete this project, he needed to operate an excavator on slopes of 60%.
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Paul’s capabilities have earned him great respect and a reputation that has spread throughout the region. He is a leader in his field and has managed to “operate” on steep terrain without a single accident. His goal every day is to keep himself and his crew safe. “We all want to go home at night; that’s what matters the most to me.” Paul’s ability has given him the opportunity to work on projects at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, also in California, and Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site, Hawaii. At Santa Monica Mountains he removed 2 miles of road that was in the middle of an ecologically sensitive riparian canyon. At Puukohola Heiau, Paul was instrumental in removing almost 2,000 feet of road through archeological and burial sites. This additional work sometimes kept him away from his family for up to a month at a time, but he never complained; his dedication to the task at hand was always a priority.
Paul works routinely with wildlife biologists, geologists, hydrologists, and archeologists who make up the resource staff at Redwood. In helping to formulate strategies for the restoration projects, Paul is a true leader and is always willing to listen. He is a team player who allows his ability to speak for itself.
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