Title: A woman in the great outdoors : adventures in the National Park Service /
Authors: Webb, Melody, 1946-
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press,
Year: 2003
Subjects: Webb, Melody,; United States. Officials and employees Biography.; United States. History.; National parks and reserves United States Management; National parks and reserves Government policy United States.
Abstract: "Melody Webb's career began in Alaska during President Gerald Ford's administration. She helped set up the mechanism that permitted Alaskan Natives to claim up to 2 million acres of federal land to preserve culturally significant areas. Following a dozen years of historic preservation work in Alaska and New Mexico, Webb spent the second half of her tenure in management positions. She served as superintendent at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park and then as assistant superintendent in charge of all park operations at Grand Teton National Park. During this period the Park Service was faced with conflicting mandates: there was a growing demand for recreational land use and, at the same time, environmental requirements and tight budgets limited the NPS's options." "Webb's frankness about the day-to-day politics within an institution that many Americans feel should be above politics make this book an eye opener for historians and anyone who has an interest in the National Park System."--Jacket.
Contents: A woman in a man's world -- The Yukon -- Alaska -- Santa Fe -- Texas -- Grand Teton ordeals -- Mountains -- Fire -- Bison -- Wolves and Grizzly Bears -- Politics -- The President and Congress -- Priorities and Decisions -- Selected Reading.