The cover of Ranger magazine proudly proclaims that we are “Stewards for parks, visitors and each other.” Occasionally projects come along that feed into each of those three stewardship roles: parks, visitors and employees. Such was the case during the last four months.

Shortly after Ranger Rendezvous, we shared the vision for Mission 16 with our partners: “ANPR is a primary instrument in devising and managing a 10-year program culminating in 2016 that provides NPS units with an identifiable and sustainable level of resource stewardship staffing.” (emphasis added) This program will integrate all three aspects of ANPR’s stated stewardship. When successful, Mission 16 will bring staffing levels up to standards for proper long-term park preservation. The breadth and professionalism of visitor enjoyment opportunities will be brought back to 1970s and early 1980s levels. In the process of providing stewardship for parks and visitors, Mission 16 will enhance stewardship for employees as we gain the time to meet professional standards through training and work assignments.

Shortly after communicating this with our partners, we began to get requests for assistance with a public report on the budgetary plight of the National Park Service. In February and continuing into March, ANPR was in almost constant contact with the framers and writers of NPCA’s report, Endangered Rangers. (If you have not read it by now, please visit NPCA’s website — a link is on ANPR’s website.) Almost immediately after its release, ANPR started working on a companion report. From the outset, we knew that ANPR should build on this important report. As political, professional and media groups started to dig into the report and request further information, we were listening.

More than 30 ANPR members contributed to Beyond the Endangered Ranger: A View from Within the National Parks, released on Earth Day, April 22. Our partners were there to help. Just as we helped with the release of the first report, partners helped get ours in the hands of the press. ANPR’s executive director delivered it to members of Congress. Each of you should continue distribution by sharing it with your local press and other interested parties.

What has ANPR done for stewardship of each other? Public awareness of the budget situation is necessary if there is to be change. Mission 16 and the Beyond the Endangered Ranger report are two tangible products of that support that we can show every NPS employee. Then show them the new membership recruitment poster and solicit their help. As the poster states, “We need your support so we can better support you.”

Every park superintendent has received this poster and was encouraged to post it appropriately. If it hasn’t been posted in your park or office, and others that you visit, ask if you can post a copy. The membership board member and committee have done their work. Now it is your turn to carry their work a step further.

Over the last three years it has been my personal goal to recruit two new members each quarter. It hasn’t been difficult because ANPR is doing things that bring benefit to our family of employees. I measure success by seeing their names in Ranger magazine. Make this personal.