The National Park Service (NPS) Wilderness Leadership Council (WLC), formed in 1996 as the National Wilderness Steering Committee, serves as an advisory body to the NPS Director on all Service-wide wilderness matters and aids the NPS in enhancing the agency’s ability to address critical wilderness stewardship issues. Composed of superintendents and staff from multiple levels and program areas across the NPS, the WLC also:

• Facilitates the understanding of wilderness stewardship as a core mission, as virtually all disciplines have important roles and responsibilities in wilderness

• Encourages the NPS to become a leading partner in wilderness stewardship efforts within the National Wilderness Preservation System

• Coordinates with the NPS Wilderness Stewardship Division and aids in interagency wilderness planning and initiatives

The WLC has succeeded in promoting communication strategies in support of wilderness designation, providing guidance on NPS policy, Director’s Orders, and Reference Manuals, and advancing interagency program reviews. The council believes wilderness stewardship is critical to the future of our wilderness lands and will continue to support wilderness training initiatives, advocate science-based wilderness management decisions, and maintain a strong dedication to communicating with parks and regions on wilderness issues. To learn more or to get involved with the WLC, please e-mail Sean McGuinness at sean_mcguinness[at]nps.gov.

—Ryan Michelle Scavo
Program Assistant, Wilderness Stewardship Division, NPS Washington Office