The National Parks Conservation Association has announced that Dave Hallac, Superintendent of the Outer Banks Group of National Parks, is one of two recipients of this year’s Stephen T. Mather Awards for unparalleled dedication to protecting unique national park resources at all odds.
The Stephen T. Mather Award, first presented in 1984 and named after the first director of the Park Service, and is given to individuals in the NPS who have shown steadfast leadership and persistent dedication to the national parks of the United States.
Since 2015, Hallac has overseen Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial, and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site.
Hallac has directed climate mitigation efforts around the Ocracoke Lighthouse and Oregon Inlet Marina, maintenance and restoration of iconic structures like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and Wright Brothers memorial pylon, the establishment and interpretation of the Lost Colony’s Freedom Trail, and much more.
In recent years, climate change impacts along Cape Hatteras National Seashore have made national headlines.
Amid rising seas and raging tides, houses in the park-adjacent community of Rodanthe have collapsed, spreading debris in the park. Hallac has emerged as a leader in this crisis, leading cleanup efforts and protecting delicate park resources.
“Superintendent Dave Hallac’s dedication to Cape Hatteras and deep knowledge of preservation have been a saving grace for this iconic national seashore,” said Theresa Pierno, National Parks Conservation Association President and CEO.
Pummeled by powerful storms and strewn with wreckage, Cape Hatteras serves as an ominous reminder that climate change remains the greatest threat facing our national parks,” Pierno said. “But Dave’s leadership and fortitude remind us that when our parks are staffed with the best and brightest, no challenge is insurmountable.”
“His deft community engagement skills and resilient spirit are an example for national park advocates across the country to follow,” Pierno said. “We are proud to name him as a recipient of this year’s Mather award.”
“I am honored to receive this year’s Stephen T. Mather Award,“ Hallac said. “It is a privilege to lead so many dedicated professionals at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial.”
“Their hard work and ability to rise to a number of significant challenges have helped to adaptively manage parks and work with communities in a very dynamic coastal environment,” Hallac added.
Also receiving the Mather Award this year is Vincent Santucci, Senior National Park Service Paleontologist.
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations.
For more information, visit www.npca.org
superintendent of National Parks Service of Eastern North Carolina. (Photo courtesy USACE)
