New Superintendent named for Joshua Tree National Park

The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Jane Rodgers as the new permanent superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park beginning Aug. 13. 

Rodgers has been the acting superintendent of Joshua Tree National Park since January 2023 and, before that, served as the park’s Chief of Science and Resource Stewardship for the last seven years, where she focused on climate change response, visitor use management, and stewardship collaborations around the park boundary. 

“Jane is a seasoned manager with clear, strategic vision,” said acting Regional Director William Shott. “She is a strong communicator with a passion for the resource and employees at Joshua Tree. She will do an excellent job responding to the myriad of challenges facing the park today and into the future, and working with partners, Tribes and communities.” 

In her role, Rodgers will lead a park staff of 140 employees who serve 3.1 million visitors annually. 

“Since 1936, after Minerva Hoyt so boldly argued to conserve these desert lands, many superintendents have worked tirelessly to protect and preserve the vibrant history and landscape of Joshua Tree National Park,” Rodgers said. 

She added that becoming the park’s first woman “at the helm” is a great honor. 

“I am so grateful for the incredible talent and dedication of our amazing employees and partners,” Rodgers said. “The park leadership team and I look forward to continuing meaningful engagement with the fifteen tribal communities associated with the traditional homelands of the Serrano, Chemehuevi, and Cahuilla, and the traditional use area of the Mohave. The important work continues, and the park is so very fortunate to have the people and partners we need to truly steward this beloved space.” 

FOJT Executive Director and President John Lauretig was not surprised by this news, as he has known Jane from the start of her time at Joshua Tree National Park. ‘We at Friends Of Joshua Tree look forward to continuing our great work together to better steward our amazing public lands treasure that is Joshua Tree National Park’.

In a note to key partners of the Park, Rodgers told us ‘I love this park and the surrounding communities, and am humbled and excited to fill in behind David Smith to keep our national park healthy and our visitors safe and inspired. I am especially grateful for the relationships the park has built with you – the park simply cannot function in a vacuum, and our partners are one of our most valuable assets.’ 

‘For those of you I’ve worked with for years in our Science and Stewardship programs, my passion continues! I will stay engaged and supportive, and look forward to recruiting a new Chief of Science and Resource Stewardship for the park soon. Our “-Ologists” at JOTR are such amazing specialists who have been working extra hard these past six months helping me keep all the science and stewardship plates spinning. The good work continues, and I’m so grateful for all our collaborations over the years!’

Lastly, Jane Rodgers says ‘I look forward to our next opportunity to meet! Until then, stay cool and hydrated 😊’

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