From Fire Island to Delaware River: Lindsey Kurnath named Superintendent of Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River

The next superintendent of Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, in Pennsylvania and New York state, is Lindsey Kurnath, National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Regional Director Gay Vietzke has announced.

“Lindsey knows how to bring people together to share common interests,” said Vietzke. “She values the experience and expertise of park staff and community members and inspires others to work towards common goals. Her experience and energy make her a great fit for the job.”

“I look forward to strengthening and growing the park’s relationship with the Upper Delaware Council along with neighbors and members of the community, so that we can work collaboratively and creatively to protect the unique natural, cultural, scenic and recreational resources of the Upper Delaware River,” said Kurnath. “The park team is exceptional, and I am excited to learn from the talented and dedicated employees as we begin our work together.”

Kurnath comes to Upper Delaware from Fire Island National Seashore, where she has served as deputy superintendent since 2020. There she strengthened relationships with park partners and stakeholders and coached division chiefs to work as a cohesive, interdisciplinary team to address strategic issues and opportunities. She also served for four months as acting superintendent. She came to that job from Mount Rainier National Park in Washington state, where she served as chief of Administration and Business Management, uniting a team of previously unconnected programs into one highly functional division. She began her NPS career in 2010 as a management analyst for the Business Management Group in Washington, DC.

Kurnath holds both a Master of Environmental Management and a Master of Public Policy from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Boston College.

Originally from western New York state, Kurnath anticipates spending time outside, enjoying the many recreational opportunities along the Delaware River, the Catskills and the Poconos. An avid hiker, cyclist and rock climber, she is looking forward to exploring the area with her dog.