Russell Galipeau, a 22-year veteran of the National Park Service (NPS), has been selected as the new superintendent of Channel Islands National Park with headquarters in Ventura, it was announced today by NPS Regional Director Jonathan B. Jarvis.
“Russell brings to park management a sincere desire to protect cultural and natural resources as well as a strong belief in community outreach," Jarvis said in making the appointment.
Galipeau is the chief of resources management at Yosemite National Park, where he has coordinated a resources program rich in biological, botanical and cultural elements and been challenged with the natural resources rehabilitation of Yosemite Valley after the 1997 flood.
He also has worked as chief of resources at the largest national park in the system - Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska and in the Service’s Southeast Regional Office. Field work has also been done as a specialist at Everglades National Park and Canaveral National Seashore.
“I am excited about returning to the coast," Galipeau said. “I look forward to working with the community and the dedicated park employees in building a strong partnership for resource protection, tourism and education."
Channel Islands National Park includes the park headquarters and Visitor Center on Spinnaker Drive, and the islands off shore of Ventura and Santa Barbara - Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miquel and Santa Barbara. Nesting sea birds, sea lion rookeries, and unique plants inhabit the area.
Galipeau, his wife Margie Steigerwald, and their children, Amy (11 years) and Maya (9 months) expect to move to the Ventura area in late spring. Galipeau is a native of St. Augustine, Fla. and has a degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Florida.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
