On Friday, President Obama announced his nomination for the latest National Park Service Director. He chose Jon Jarvis, who over the last three decades has worked in a variety of roles: as a seasonal and interpretive ranger, protection ranger, resource management specialist, park biologist, and currently heads the Pacific West section of our parks system.
His nomination does not come without a bit of controversy; he recently clashed with Senator Diane Feinstein (D., California) over the relicensing of the largest oyster farm facility in Northern California. The long-running battle between the oyster farm and the NPS came to a head when Jarvis recommended the farm not be permitted to renew it’s lease in 2012 and to have the land convert to wilderness. Feinstein opposed this, saying the farm should stay in operation, and the NPS should renew their license, as the farm creates 30 jobs.
However, the controversy hasn’t deterred many—Interior Secretary Ken Salazar campaigned for Jarvis and the NPCA described Jarvis as “a seasoned professional and strong leader who understands the challenges of managing national parks and the importance of inspiring excellence among the thousands of National Park Service professionals who are the stewards of our national treasures for our children and grandchildren.”
The most important aspect of Jarvis is his focus within the parks; he recently told the Associated Press that his priorities with the NPS are climate change, educating youth about the parks, and reaching out to those who haven’t used the parks.
[...] language of the bill allows the possibility for an oyster farm to continue operation in Point Reyes National Seashore, land that the Park Service wants to convert and designate as [...]