Leadership

Retiring superintendent knows the value of resource management

enny Huffman is a leader with natural resource preservation on his mind. In nine years as Superintendent of Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah, the 34-year veteran of the National Park Service has provided guidance in such critical efforts as endangered species recovery, rare plant inventory and management, integrated weed management, prescribed natural fire programs, riparian restoration projects, protection of river corridor ecosystems, and operation of the Flaming Gorge Dam.

Huffman has also addressed resource problems resulting from legally prescribed livestock grazing within the monument. "We competed for Natural Resource Preservation Program funds that allowed us to use range professionals from academia to do scientific range surveys," Huffman commented. "Results are not complete, but the studies have found that some park areas are heavily impacted, particularly near water." Huffman's efforts to bring grazing into some sort of resource-oriented compliance have resulted in a lawsuit against the National Park Service.

According to Huffman, timing is as important as science in resolving tough resource management issues. While Superintendent at Colorado National Monument from 1980-87, he succeeded in removing a beloved herd of nonnative bison that had been residing in the park since around 1925. "The animals were very popular, and we could not rush into a decision to remove them," Huffman explained. "We gradually held town and park neighborhood meetings where we presented research findings that indicated the poor health of the vegetation. Eventually, public opinion swayed and we removed the bison, but we had to be patient."

Another key to his success has been his skill in forging alliances with park neighbors, local and state governments, other federal agencies, and private conservation organizations. "We tend to focus rather narrowly on our own disciplines and mission in the National Park Service," says Huffman. "We also need to understand our neighbors and the social, political, and economic factors surrounding park protection issues. We can still be very influential and come from a position of respect." At Dinosaur, these associations have improved local community and interagency support, led to resource sharing, and funded many resource management, research, and visitor services activities through outside sources.

Planning to retire in early 1997, Huffman has always taken a strong and proactive public stand for the protection and restoration of park resources and their values. He explains, "our efforts in maintaining good outside relationships should never eclipse our responsibilities for resource protection. Resource protection must always be our top priority." While some individuals in other agencies and local communities may have disagreed with him, they have never been able to claim they were unaware of the positions and policies of the National Park Service. His efforts have led to increased awareness, better protection, and improved management of natural and cultural resources in many units of the national park system.

Other articles in the "People & Preservation" chapter:

Kemp's Ridley returns to Padre Island

Resource specialist receives Mather award

Partnership honored by National Park Foundation

Air quality at Big Bend is an international challenge

Director honors natural resource stewards

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This material is from Natural Resource Year in Review--1996, published by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, in May 1997 (publication D-1182) http://www2./YearInReview/yir/yr_rvw96 /chapter8/huffman.htm
Last Update:8/20/2002