Distinguished Service Award by the Department of Interior awarded to Dr. Jeffrey Marion

Dr. Jeffrey Marion

In recognition of his use of innovative techniques to advance the understanding of how to minimize the impact of outdoor recreation of the Nation’s most treasured natural resources.
 
Dr. Jeffrey L. Marion is recognized throughout the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for his decades of leadership and support in recreation ecology. During the past 30 years, he has traversed and studied North America’s most notable national parks and forests, national trail systems, and wilderness areas in efforts to improve the sustainable management of these fragile, dynamic systems. Dr. Marion forged an understanding of how America’s love for the outdoors can alter Federal trust resources and how the public can assist in maintaining the integrity of parks and protected areas (PPA) for the enjoyment of future generations. He leveraged the knowledge gained from these studies by authoring the book, “Leave No Trace in the Outdoors,” a comprehensive guide for modern-day outdoor recreationists, the premise of which is now an international paradigm for the use and stewardship of public lands. His pioneering work has helped firmly establish the discipline in the scientific arena, whereby land manager can now successfully protect and maintain PPAs using the scientific method. Dr. Marion has been a teacher and mentor to dozens of graduate students and young scientists at several universities and organizations; these students and scientists are now a force in the pursuit of recreation ecology. His lifelong efforts to integrate science-based low-impact practices into the literature and courses of the Boy Scouts of America have fostered increased respect in American youth for the outdoor environment. Dr. Marion has served on numerous advisory boards and is the recipient of awards from the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Boy Scouts of America, and the Leave No Trace Center. He has been an exemplary employee, faithfully displaying the high personal and technical standards the characterize USGS science in the public service. For his outstanding contributions to the USFS, Dr. Jeffrey L. Marion is granted the highest honor of the Department of the Interior, The Distinguished Service Award.

June 22, 2022 - Department of the Interior

Read pdf about Dr. Marion's award.