Charles F. Sams III has been nominated to be director of the National Park Service/Confederated Umatilla Journal

Editor's note: This updates with reaction to Sams' nomination to be the next director of the National Park Service.

The nomination of Charles F. Sams III, a Native American with long experience working with tribal governments and in the natural resource and conservation management fields, to be director of the National Park Service was applauded Wednesday.

Sams, an enrolled member, Cayuse and Walla Walla, of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, if confirmed by the U.S. Senate would be the first permanent director the Park Service has had since Jonathan Jarvis retired at the end of the Obama administration.

While President Trump had nominated David Vela, at the time superintendent of Grand Teton National Park, to be the agency's director, his nomination never reached the floor of the Senate and instead the Trump administration used a series of acting directors to fill the job.

“The diverse experience that Chuck brings to the National Park Service will be an incredible asset as we work to conserve and protect our national parks to make them more accessible for everyone. I look forward to working with him to welcome Americans from every corner of our country into our national park system. The outdoors are for everyone, and we have an obligation to protect them for generations to come,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a release Wednesday.

Sams has worked in state and tribal governments and the non-profit natural resource and conservation management fields for more than 25 years. He currently serves as a Council Member to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, appointed by Oregon Governor Kate Brown.

“Chuck Sams is a visionary conservation leader with a deep demonstrated commitment to natural and cultural resources and the communities that depend on them," said Diane Regas, CEO of The Trust for Public Land. "His broad experience — including his leadership roles serving the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, his tremendous prior conservation achievements as director of the Trust for Public Land’s Tribal Lands Program, and his positive focus on land restoration, species protection, youth programs, and access — give him a uniquely valuable perspective on America’s irreplaceable public lands. We believe he will be an outstanding director of the National Park Service, and we applaud the Biden administration for its intent to nominate him to that critical position."

At the National Parks Conservation Association, President and CEO Theresa Pierno said she believes Sams "is prepared to step up and tackle the many challenges and opportunities facing our parks."

"Throughout his career, Sams has formed powerful relationships across tribal nations, all levels of government and the conservation community, navigating difficult issues in an inclusive and caring way," added Pierno. "As a descendent of the original guardians of our lands, Sams brings a unique and powerful perspective that can help our national parks continue to evolve in the places and stories they preserve and share. With his commitment towards diverse partnerships and an eye towards inspiring the next generation of park leaders, we are confident that Sams will help ensure that everyone sees themselves reflected in these important places."

Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation that raises charitable dollars for the Park Service, said "Mr. Sams brings a significant background of experience that prepares him exceptionally well to take on and advance the mission of this critical federal agency. His understanding of and work with state governments, tribal governments and nonprofits, will help all of us do a more complete and inclusive job in working with the communities who are connected to and affected by our national parks. "

Sams has held a variety of roles with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, most recently as their executive director. He has also had roles as the president/chief executive officer of the Indian Country Conservancy, executive director for the Umatilla Tribal Community Foundation, national director of the Tribal & Native Lands Program for the Trust for Public Land, executive director for the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, executive director for the Community Energy Project, and president/CEO for the Earth Conservation Corps.

Sams holds a bachelor’s of science degree in Business Administration from Concordia University-Portland and a master’s of legal studies in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.