Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve

Director Stanton Praises NPT for Tallgrass Prairie NP

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Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve had the honor of hosting the Director of the National Park Service (NPS), Robert Stanton on April 7, 2000. "We were very pleased that Director Stanton was able to visit the Preserve and see the significance and specialness of this important addition to the National Park System," Superintendent Steve Miller.

Director Stanton was sworn in as the Director of the National Park Service in 1997. Director Stanton began his NPS career as a seasonal park ranger at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, during the summer 1963. In 1988, he became the Regional Director of the National Capital Region. After his retirement in January 1997, he was nominated and unanimously approved as Director of the National Park Service. Director Stanton is a native of Fort Worth, Texas; he earned his bachelor's degree in 1963, from Huston-Tillotson College, Austin, Texas. He did his graduate work at Boston University, Massachusetts and George Washington University, Washington, DC. Director Stanton is the 15th person to serve as Director of the National Park Service since the agency was formed in August 1916, and the first African American in the history of the Park Service to hold that position.

Director Stanton toured the Preserve during a three-day tour of the NPS Midwest region in which the Preserve is located. During his tour of the region, Director Stanton toured several parks and had meetings with the staff of these parks as well as with the staff in the Midwest Regional Office. In Minnesota, Director Stanton toured Pipestone National Historical Landmark. The Director then toured Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, Nebraska. On the final day of his tour, Director Stanton traveled to the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, in Strong City, Kansas.

Director Stanton was welcomed by Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Superintendent Steve Miller, National Park Trust of Kansas (NPT-KS) Chairman Paul Duffendack, and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve Advisory Committee Chairman Lee Fowler. After welcoming the Director, a luncheon was held with National Park Trust (NPT), NPS staff, as well as an invited guest.

Following the luncheon, Director Stanton was given a bus tour of the backcountry of the Preserve by NPS staff. NPS Ranger Ron Clark gave the one-hour tour and answered questions on the history, geology and natural history of the prairie. After the backcountry tour, Director Stanton took part in a tour of the Preserve's ranch headquarters area. During this tour of the 1881-limestone mansion and three-story barn, NPT and NPS briefed the Director on current issues concerning the cultural resources. "I was thrilled to meet Director Stanton and have the opportunity to show him how the public/private partnership, between the National Park Service and the National Park Trust, is working out," Barbara A Zurhellen, Preserve Director, NPT.

The Director's commitment to tour the Preserve was very impressive. Wind speeds the day of the Director's visit reached 40 to 60 miles per hour, making travel risky and touring somewhat challenging.

The tour of the Preserve was very successful from the standpoint of Paul Duffendack, "Everybody was honored he wanted to visit the Preserve. We were pleased he could spend the amount of time he did with us and learn about the needs of the Preserve and all that needs to be done. I think the Director left with a good understanding of the excellent planning effort that is going on. We have great anticipation that he will continue his interest as the Preserve realizes its final plan. We hope that this will be the first of many trips to the Preserve for the Director."

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