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Meet Crater Lake National Park's New Superintendent

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Compiled From NPS Releases

Published Date

November 15, 2024

Crater Lake / Justin Housman photo

The National Park Service (NPS) has appointed Kevin Heatley as the new superintendent of Oregon's Crater Lake National Park, effective January 2025.

Heatley is currently the deputy chief of the NEPA, Planning, and Decision Support Division at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Washington, D.C. He previously worked with the BLM in southern Oregon, where he held roles as the assistant field manager for the Medford District and field manager for the Klamath Falls Office.

“It’s an honor to lead the NPS team at Crater Lake,” Heatley said. “The lake and its surroundings offer profound inspiration and connection to thousands every year. No matter how many times I visit, Crater Lake’s impact never fades. I’m excited to join the NPS team committed to preserving this incredible ecosystem.”

Kevin Heatley / NPS

Heatley has a diverse background in natural resource management across both public and private sectors. At BLM Headquarters, he led the development of national policies, implementation guidelines, and technical standards. In southern Oregon, he managed a wide range of land management programs, from wildlife and fisheries to timber and recreation, and served as the BLM lead on the historic Klamath River Dam Removal project. He also contributed to the development of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Management Plan.

His career includes roles as a supervisory natural resource manager with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in New Mexico and Ohio, and director of conservation for NYC Parks & Recreation. In the private sector, Heatley led ecological restoration and invasive species control projects nationwide.

“Kevin is a seasoned leader with strong listening and negotiation skills,” said Pacific West Regional Director David Szymanski. “As a former field manager for BLM in Klamath Falls, he has a proven ability to work collaboratively across agencies to address complex land management challenges.”

Crater Lake National Park, established in 1902, is the fifth-oldest national park in the U.S. and Oregon's only national park. Spanning about 182,304 acres, the park features Crater Lake, a caldera lake formed by the eruption of Mount Mazama, and its surrounding forests and hills. Crater Lake is a place of deep cultural significance for Native American tribes, and the park enjoys strong support from local and regional partners who help protect its natural resources and enhance visitor experiences.

Heatley holds a master’s degree in environmental science from Penn State University and a bachelor’s degree in natural resource management from Rutgers University. A Klamath County resident, he enjoys exploring the region’s rich cultural heritage and ecological diversity.

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