From Bear Dens to the Oval Office

From Bear Dens to the Oval Office recounts numerous true stories collected from over 38 years managing America's national Parks. These amusing stories cover wildlife encounters, search and rescue incidents, unusual incidents involving park visitors, visits by many important people and dignitaries including various Secretary s of the Interior, US Senators, President Obama and family, Pope John Paul II, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and others. Some stories recount actual events related to educational activities (sometimes called "living history" portrayals) at Fort Scott and other parks. Other stories relate to funny visitor experiences including funny questions asked of staff, youth engaging with nature, significant land conservation initiatives, and a trip to Italy to visit Dolomiti National Park, a "sister park" to Acadia. Managing national parks involves protecting the park's natural and historic elements, providing visitor services such as education, orientation, and emergency assistance, enforcement of park regulations and pertinent laws, and administration which includes supervision of employees and volunteers. The book relates various stories that involve all of these subject areas, many of which will be enjoyed by people of all ages.

From Bear Dens to the Oval Office recounts numerous true stories collected from over 38 years managing America's national Parks. These amusing stories cover unusual incidents involving park visitors, wildlife encounters, search and rescue incidents, visits by many important people and dignitaries including various Secretary s of the Interior, U.S. Senators, President Obama and family, Pope John Paul II, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, First Lady Laura Bush, and others. Some stories recount actual events related to educational activities (sometimes called "living history" portrayals) at Fort Scott and other parks. Other stories relate to funny visitor experiences including unusual questions asked of staff, youth engaging with nature, significant land conservation initiatives, and a trip to Italy to visit Dolomiti National Park, a "sister park" to Acadia. Managing national parks involves protecting the park's natural and historic elements (resources), providing visitor services such as education, orientation, and emergency assistance, enforcement of park regulations and pertinent laws, and administration which includes supervision of employees and volunteers. The book relates various stories that involve all of these subject areas, many of which will be enjoyed by people of all ages. Moving around the country over the 38 year career, always presented new challenges and interesting situations. Living in small towns but occupying a highly visible position in town also resulted in some amusing anecdotes. Working in the service to American and their cherished national parks, was an honor and privilege. I found working with the many dedicated professionals in the NPS and along side numerous volunteers, donors, and partner groups with a common purpose to be truly inspiring. It was a very rewarding career that produced many great memories that I love to share with others.

Sheridan Steele worked for the National Park Service for 38 years before retiring from Acadia National Park in November, 2015. During his career, he was Superintendent of Acadia National Park and Saint Croix Island International Historic Site (jointly manged) in Maine, Superintendent of Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area (managed jointly) in Colorado, Deputy Superintendent of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Superintendent of Fort Scott National Historic Site in Kansas, and Management Assistant of Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area in Ohio. Prior to working for the National Park Service, he worked for a non-profit organization in Ohio called the Cuyahoga Valley Park Federation. He also worked for several years for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a park planner. He graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.S. in Natural Resources Management. He is married with two adult children and 2 grandchildren. He presently lives in Colorado in the winter and Maine in the summer. He is presently on the Executive Council of the Coalition to Protect America's National Parks (with over 1700 members who worked for the NPS) and the Board of Maine Coast Heritage Trust. He is also on the Board of North Bay Adventure Camp in Maryland.