Ranger Mark Biel and Gracie look at bighorn sheep grazing near the Logan Pass parking lot after they helped shepherd the animals there/NPS

For his efforts to initiate a wildlife shepherding program, dark sky conservation, and mountain goat research, Mark Biel, the natural resources manager at Glacier National Park, has earned the 2017 National Park Service Director’s Award for Professional Excellence in Natural Resource Stewardship.

Biel won the regional award in November and competed with finalists from six other regions for the national award. Awardees will be recognized at an event in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

“This award is truly an honor. So many parks are doing extraordinary work, and to be selected for the national award is amazing,” Mr. Biel said. “I’m grateful to park leadership and the Glacier National Park Conservancy for their support. This is truly a team effort.”

Biel launched the wildlife shepherding program in 2016. The program uses a trained border collie, Gracie, to move bighorn sheep and mountain goats out of areas of high visitor use, such as the Logan Pass parking lot. The “bark ranger” team also visits with schools and other groups about the importance of wildlife safety and maintains an Instagram account.

“Glacier’s wildlife shepherding program has exceeded all expectations,” park Superintendent Jeff Mow said. “Mark and Gracie have become front-line ambassadors for Glacier and the National Park Service in keeping visitors and the animals of the park safe."

Gracie looks back at ranger Mark Biel while watching a herd of bighorn rams grazing just downhill from the Logan Pass parking lot. Gracie and Ranger Biel prevented these sheep from entering the parking lot./NPS

The project is funded through private donations to the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

Biel also coordinated recent mountain goat research at Logan Pass and was instrumental in Glacier’s recent designation as the world’s first transboundary International Dark Sky Park, along with Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. Both projects are also partially funded by the Glacier National Park Conservancy.

Biel’s career includes 24 years with the National Park Service. He came to Glacier National Park in 2010. Prior to his time at Glacier, he worked at Devils Tower National Monument, Padre Island National Seashore, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Yellowstone National Park, where he started as a volunteer in the park’s Bear Management Office.