November 14, 2024 3:05 a.m.

The National Park Service has selected Kevin Heatley to serve as the superintendent of Crater Lake National Park beginning in January 2025.

An NPS release said Heatley currently serves as deputy chief of the Bureau of Land Management’s NEPA, Planning and Decision Support Division in Washington D.C. He previously worked on both sides of the Cascade Mountains in southern Oregon, as Medford District assistant field manager and Klamath Falls Office field manager.

Pacific West Regional Director David Szymanski said, “Kevin is an experienced and compassionate leader with strong listening and negotiation skills”. Szymanski said, “…Kevin has a track record of working across agencies to solve complex land management issues”.

The release said Crater Lake National Park was established in 1902. It is the fifth-oldest national park in the United States and the only national park in Oregon. The park encompasses the caldera of Crater Lake, a remnant of Mount Mazama, a destroyed volcano, and the surrounding hills and forests. It is approximately 182,304 acres and heavily forested.

Heatley said, “It is an honor to be selected to lead the National Park Service team at Crater Lake. The lake and the surrounding parklands are cross-cultural sources of spiritual inspiration and emotional connection for thousands of people each year”. Heatley said, “Regardless of the number of times I visit Crater Lake, the impact does not fade. I am excited to add my skills to the NPS team devoted to protecting this unique ecosystem”.

To learn more about Crater Lake National Park, go to: www.nps.gov/crla.