Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Michael V. Finley will be retiring from the National Park Service in May of this year. Finley, a 32-year NPS veteran, who has been superintendent of the world's first national park since November 1994, leaves his Yellowstone position for a new challenge as president of the Turner Foundation in Atlanta, Georgia.

"I leave Yellowstone with a feeling of accomplishment, but it is time to move on," Finley said in announcing his decision. "I've had a stimulating and fulfilling 32-year career with the National Park Service, but in the remaining years of my productive worklife I want to focus my energy on issues that I believe are critical to the quality of life and long-term stability of our environment.

"Sustainable practices related to energy, population, water resources, wildlife, biodiversity, transportation, and urban sprawl are extremely important to a healthy society. I share the values and views of the Turner Foundation board regarding the sustainable use of our natural resources."

Intermountain Regional Director Karen Wade praised Finley for his dedication and leadership. "Mike Finley has made an outstanding contribution to this country," she said. "Throughout his career, he has used his considerable skills to preserve and protect the special places Americans have set aside through the National Park Service. He has set a very high standard for future generations of park managers and will be sorely missed."

Finley is well known for his outstanding conservation efforts and has received numerous awards from national conservation groups and the Department. He was a major influence in establishing the Yellowstone Park Foundation, whose purpose is to protect, preserve, and enhance Yellowstone National Park by raising money to fund important projects and programs that are beyond the financial capacity of the National Park Service. Since it began operations in 1996, the foundation has dedicated more than $3.5 million to Yellowstone National Park.

Finley's successor will be selected by the NPS, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior. Since the Yellowstone position is a designated member of the federal career Senior Executive Service, a pool of previously qualified and competitive candidates is available to be named to the position.