Up Close with Peggy O’Dell

PEGGY O’DELL
Deputy Director for Operations
National Park Service

Peggy O’Dell currently serves as the National Park Service’s deputy director for operations. Her 30 years of federal service have seen her hold such positions as deputy manager of the National Park Service’s interpretive design center in West Virginia and superintendent of Jewel Cave National Monument in South Dakota, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (the Gateway Arch) in St. Louis, and the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, DC. Prior to becoming deputy director of the agency, she served for two years as director of the National Park Service’s National Capital Region, overseeing parks in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area.

What is your earliest memory of visiting a national park?
It’s hard to pinpoint my own earliest park memory, but I really cherish memories of traveling in the parks with my own children. I’ll always remember the first trip that my husband and I made out West with our daughters and son. At the time, we were living and working at Ozark National Scenic Riverways, which is located in a very rural part of Missouri, where a trip to Walmart counted as a family excursion. The western parks were unlike anything my children had seen before, and they were duly impressed. I remember stopping at Walnut Canyon National Monument in Arizona on our way to the Grand Canyon. We walked the trails and explored the archeological sites. When we got back in our car to leave, my son, who was six, exclaimed, “Mommy, I love Walmart Canyon!”

How did you get involved with the National Park Service?
Accidentally. I went to college in St. Louis, and one of my friends had a summer job at Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. She recommended working there, so the next summer I got a job at the memorial as an interpreter. I fell in love with the people of the National Park Service. They impressed me with their passion and took time to help me learn about careers in the NPS. They must have seen some potential in me, because they encouraged me to pursue a career in the agency. At the time, I was studying American history and education, with plans to teach. My coworkers’ mentoring, however, shifted the direction in which I was headed. After graduating, I worked briefly for the Army Corps of Engineers and then landed a position in the National Park Service, where I’ve worked ever since.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I love the variety to which my jobs in the National Park Service have exposed me. There’s the variety of issues that the NPS tackles and the variety of people with whom I interact as we work together to solve problems and influence conservation. Interpreters, law enforcement officers, maintenance workers, superintendents, natural resource specialists, historians, people in program offices – it’s so interesting to work with all of them and such an honor to see their professionalism and passion.

What is the greatest challenge facing national parks?
The National Park Service must stay relevant to the American people – all of the American people. We have to grow our constituency. There are certainly other significant challenges facing the NPS – for example, managing natural resources amid the impacts of climate change. But the National Park Service can’t grapple with these challenges alone, or even with the aid of our current constituency. We need all Americans to be aware of our work and understand how they can make their own connections to it. Our constituency must broaden to encompass the entire American population, which, as we all know, is characterized by diversity.

What can individuals do to support the parks?
Enjoy them. Use them. Learn the stories they tell. If you find yourself loving a particular park, volunteer there. Volunteers are a huge blessing to the NPS. You can also help by supporting the National Park Foundation – our national charitable partner that we work closely with on many issues. In addition, explore our websites. Educate yourself about what the National Park Service can contribute to your family, your lifestyle, and your community. Maybe we can help you bring more spaces for exercise and play to your area or preserve an historic building in your town. While educating yourself, be sure to help us with our goal of reaching more Americans by sharing your knowledge of the National Park Service with your children and grandchildren, your neighbors, your coworkers, and others who aren’t familiar with the benefits of parks and the work of the NPS.

If you had not pursued an NPS career, what course would your life have taken?
I’d have spent the past 30 years in St. Louis teaching American history to seventh graders. A career in education was my initial plan, and I’d have followed that course – although, actually, I did follow it. Because the National Park Service is a superb educational institution, I’ve had a 30-year career in education after all. It’s just unfolded in historic and scenic places around the country instead of in a classroom.

You are the part-owner of 84 million acres of the world’s most treasured landscapes, ecosystems, and historical sites — all protected in America’s nearly 400 national parks. Founded by Congress, the National Park Foundation is the official charity of America’s national parks. We work hand in hand with the National Park Service to help connect you and all Americans to the parks, and to make sure that they are preserved for the generations who will follow.

Join us — This Is Your Land. www.nationalparks.org

Your Gift to Flight 93 Goes Twice as Far – Memorial to Be Dedicated on September 10

Between now and September 11, you can double the impact of your gift to the Flight 93 National Memorial.  Two challenge grants will match your donation to the memorial dollar-for-dollar up to $3,000,000!  All donations will fund important needs such as a visitor center, exhibits and educational programs, and planting the 40 Memorial Groves.  Time is running out to complete these challenges, so click here to make your donation today.

The Flight 93 National Memorial will be dedicated on September 10 during a ceremony taking place at the newly-constructed memorial plaza and wall of names.  A special program will include moving remarks, uplifting music, and a solemn reading of the names of the 40 passengers and crew. The ceremony is open to the public and free to attend.  For more information on dedication and the tenth anniversary commemorative service on September 11, click here.

Partners since 2009, McNeil Consumer Healthcare – the makers of BENADRYL® - and the National Park Foundation have been working together to encourage Americans to get outside and enjoy the splendor of the great outdoors, especially in our national parks.  In 2009, BENADRYL® asked consumers to pledge to spend more time capturing outdoors moments, including a web-a-thon hosted by Mother Nature herself.  Last year, the Brand introduced a new web-based reality competition show, Race to the Moment, which tested the outdoor skills and teamwork of two families as they competed against each other in a series of physical and mental challenges. Set in California’s Joshua Tree National Park, and hosted by Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin, the show was packed full of unforgettable moments.

The makers’ of BENADRYL® innovative and engaging programs have helped to highlight the richness and beauty of our national parks, educate the public and engage diverse communities.  In addition, the company has generously donated over $500,000 in support of America’s national parks.

This summer, Glacier National Park is engaging visitors and school children in the wonders of the night sky thanks to a National Park Foundation Impact Grant. “Half the Park Happens After Dark” is an interactive education program that introduces park visitors to astronomy, including a wide range of deep sky objects, planets, and the sun. “Star party” viewing sessions feature not only telescopes, but also the latest in iPad technology. Park rangers highlight the importance of dark skies, the need to control light pollution, and the parks as gateways to looking toward the heavens in contemplation of the biggest questions facing us as human beings.

Impact Grants are designed to help parks turn underfunded, yet innovative ideas into successful programs. Over the past three years, NPF has awarded more than $700,000 to help parks implement over 100 projects throughout our national parks. To learn more or support program like this, click here.

Each year, the National Park Foundation plans a once-in-a-lifetime journey, offering our donors a behind the scenes look at one of our national parks. This September, the National Park Foundation is headed to Acadia National Park in Maine. Visitors from around the world are drawn to the rugged natural beauty and unique history of the first national park east of the Mississippi. Our days will include ranger led hikes, historic carriage rides, and an unforgettable day on the water in a chartered boat. This National Park Foundation Expedition will provide you with an unforgettable journey with exclusive access to Acadia National Park and all it has to offer. Click here for a complete itinerary and to reserve your spot!

Will your favorite park be named “America’s Favorite Park” for summer 2011?

The National Park Foundation and Coca-Cola are encouraging Americans to get out, enjoy their favorite parks, and celebrate the annual “America Is Your Park” campaign. The general public is invited to vote for their favorite park – national, state and/or local.   The three parks that receive the most votes by September 6, 2011 will be awarded grants in the following amounts: First Place - $100,000; Second Place - $50,000; and, Third Place - $25,000. These grants will help restore, rebuild or enhance recreation areas in parks where people can play and be active. Throughout the summer, people can go to LivePositively.com to help their favorite national, state or local park win big with just a click of a button. People also can vote by checking into a park using Facebook Places. There is no limit on the amount of times you can vote, so be sure to spread the word and get your votes in today for your favorite national park. 

Have you heard about Trail Talk, a series of national park profiles and ranger interviews presented by NPF and Merrell?  Don’t miss this opportunity to get your national park questions answered by the rangers themselves.  Plus, you’ll discover great insider tips for visiting parks around the country.

Every two weeks through Labor Day, NPF features a different national park on our Facebook page, and then our Facebook fans have the chance to submit any and all questions they have about that park. Trail Talk rounds up the questions, brings them to our friends at the national park and one of the park rangers responds to the questions. Become a fan on Facebook today and join in on the fun.

So far this summer, Trail Talk has featured interviews with Ranger Tom VandenBerg at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve , Ranger Esther Weeks at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Ranger Brady Bourquin at Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  And there are more to come, so take part in Train Talk today!

Did you know that every time you check in at a North Face retailer or one of America’s nearly 400 national parks, the National Park Foundation gets $1? This exciting partnership between The North Face and the National Park Foundation is all about getting more people out and enjoying our parks, while also supporting the parks to ensure that they will be preserved for future generations to come. Every “check-in” using Facebook Places puts us one dollar closer to the $150,000 donation The North Face has committed for 2011. Help us raise money for the national parks right now by checking in on Facebook Places when you’re out and about this summer!

Celebrate summer by becoming a fan of the national parks on Facebook and Twitter. 

We at the National Park Foundation love reminding our friends and supporters how grateful we are for them! What better way to do so than offering a summer-long fan appreciation promotion in which our Facebook fans and Twitter followers have the opportunity to win a national park pass and a NPF prize pack every Friday. And if you follow us on both, you double your chances!

“Like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for your chance to win!

Share a national park photo (or two) and help create the world’s largest GPS tracked panorama!  NPF supporter Merrell has launched an exciting program called Add Your Own Scenery to benefit NPF and their other partner organizations! All you have to do is upload your photos to the panorama and with each photo, Merrell will donate $1 to their partner organizations, up to $250,000.  Plus, if your photo receives the most “likes,” you’ll win an adventure trip worth $5,000!

Upload your photos now:  www.addyourownscenery.com.

Make this summer one to remember by exploring your national parks! Download the FREE National Park Foundation Owner’s Guide, Happy Trails: 25 Unforgettable National Park Hikes with descriptions and insider recommendations on trails and treks for all ages and ability levels, as well as general hiking tips, this guide is a must-have for planning the perfect national park hiking adventure!