Superintendent Scott Burch Arrives to Lead the National Park of American Samoa

This week Scott Burch arrived to serve as the superintendent of the National Park of American Samoa​. He will lead a multi-disciplinary staff of about 50 employees that specialize in administration; education; inventory and monitoring; cultural, marine, and terrestrial resources; maintenance; and visitor services. Burch is responsible for the preservation, protection, and management of the national park’s leased lands and waters on Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta’ū islands.

  

“I have strong ties to Polynesia and am very excited to be in American Samoa working with the great staff here at the National Park of American Samoa,” said Superintendent Burch.

Previously, Burch served as the management assistant at Crater Lake National Park​ in Oregon and as the concessions management specialist at Denali National Park and Preserve​ in Alaska. He brings a wealth of knowledge in sustainable economic development on public lands informed by his academic and professional work experience from both the private and public sectors.

During his graduate work at the University of Hawai’i, Burch analyzed impacts of recreational use on Hawaiian offshore island wildlife sanctuaries. He also founded a non-profit organization and a commercial ocean eco-tour company that were both based on collaborative work with local communities to conduct natural resource monitoring, advance sustainable low impact eco-tourism, and implement education programs in fragile island ecosystems. These efforts earned him the Mayor of Honolulu Special Recognition Award and a nomination for the Hawai’i Living Reef Award.

“I look forward to working together with the local communities and other park partners on protecting this special place and creating the next generation of stewards and supporters for the land and culture in and around the park,” said Superintendent Burch. “I’m particularly enthusiastic about the upcoming opportunities for locals and visitors as the National Park Service enters its second century of service to the nation during our centennial year in 2016.”

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