Superintendent of Golden Gate National Recreation Area Leaving for Grand Canyon

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA, CA — The general superintendent of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is leaving to take the superintendent's position at Grand Canyon National Park, National Park Service officials said.

Christine Lehnertz is scheduled to start at Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona at the end of August, GGNRA spokesman Howard Levitt said.

Lehnertz will take the position after former superintendent David Uberuaga retired effective June 1 amid allegations that his administration mishandled investigations into sexual harassment claims by park employees.

"Together with the staff and managers at the park, I look forward to keeping up momentum on the important conservation, preservation and operational activities at the Grand Canyon," Lehnertz said. "Regarding the sexual harassment that we've learned about, Grand Canyon National Park now has a responsibility to lead the National Parks Service in eliminating the factors that have allowed such behaviors. Staff and managers are already working hard to change the work environment there, to ensure that the Grand Canyon is a respectful, inclusive place to work and visit."

Lehnertz has been the superintendent of the GGNRA for 18 months. Before that, she was the regional director of the Pacific West Region of the National Park Service and was responsible for more than 60 parks.

Lehnertz joined the park service in 2007 and became regional director in 2010.

Before joining the National Park Service, she worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 16 years.

Lehnertz is a wildlife biologist by training and education. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder.

"Chris brings outstanding leadership and an outsider's perspective to the National Parks Service," said National Parks Service Director Jonathan Jarvis. "Since she joined the NPS, she has helped us think differently about conservation, preservation, employee engagement and public collaboration."

Lehnertz, her spouse, Shari Dagg and their cat, Choco will be relocating to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon this fall when she takes on the new role.

— Bay City New Service contributed to this report.

(Photo/BenBench via Wikimedia Commons)