Dr. Margaret Wheatley, one of eight members of the National Parks advisory board who resigned this past week to protest Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke’s “stonewalling” of the work the board is charged, by law, to do, blasted Zinke in a powerful op-ed published in today’s Salt Lake Tribune.
Wheatley, an internationally recognized expert in organizational behavior, writes that,
“sane, strategic planning has been overwhelmed by politics, opinions, and instant decisions that create more harm than good“
Working with other “citizen-experts” who were members of the board, Wheatley lists some of the accomplishments of the advisory board:
- A sophisticated economic valuation of the parks, their contribution to local and regional economies and the value citizens place on their parks.
- Developing parks as a critical educational resource for teachers, supporting the development of future citizen scientists and park stewards through education, park access and multiple learning resources.
- Prioritizing the role of science in decisions affecting park management and maintaining leadership in ensuring the best science is used in DOI.
- Developing a long-term strategic plan for the development and vitality of NPS.
- Developing new strategies and policies for the role of philanthropy within NPS.
- Supporting NPS’ continuing commitment to tell the history of all Americans in its designation of national historic sites.
- Invigorating urban National Parks to best serve urban populations.
- Fostering a culture of innovation through multiple strategies for participation and engagement.
- Engaging Millennials as future park stewards, primarily using the 2016 Centennial celebrations.
All that, she says will be lost because of the “neglect and policies to willfully destroy” that are on full display on Cowboy Z’s watch.