Gate Keepers

​The National Park Services exemplifies what public service is all about. Steward Udall

The popularity of the colorful cliffs and the Gay Head Lighthouse is nothing new. One light keeper, according to a newspaper article, retired on disability due to "visitor-itis!" 

I’m sure quite a few national park personnel were struck with “visitor-itis” during the pandemic but stayed on the job. 

In 2021 the National Park service welcomed 297 million recreational visitors, up 60 million an increase of 25.3 % from 2019. 

Park managers devote a significant amount of staff time to monitor the use of parks by visitors. Park rangers not only monitor guests but perform a wide range of duties.

They may be law enforcement officers, environmental experts, historians or a combination of the three. Despite their different roles, what remains constant is their faithfulness in working to conserve federally recognized natural and cultural resources. 

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Gay Head Lighthouse