Barry Hance Memorial Award is the Park’s Highest Honor 

September 16, 2025 – Yosemite National Park officials announce the 2024 Barry Hance Award winner. 

Congratulations to Erik Westerlund, a Park Ranger Naturalist at Yosemite, who is the 2024 Barry Hance Award winner! Westerlund, a 20+ year veteran of the National Park Service, was presented the award at an all-employee ceremony in Yosemite Valley last week.

Westerlund was nominated for the award by many of his coworkers who lauded both his amazing skills as a ranger naturalist, and for his exemplary presence as a coworker, mentor, coach, and friend to fellow park employees. Coworkers recounted how Erik fosters meaningful connections with visitors in the park, making visitors feel welcome and comfortable. One colleague said Erik is a "naturalist powerhouse" and his passion for the resource is contagious! Another coworker said, "He always has a smile on his face and a buoyant attitude."

Erik leads ranger naturalist programs in Yosemite, works at the Welcome Center, guides tram tours, mentors fellow ranger naturalists, and manages the Yosemite Naturalist Club, where he leads discussions on a myriad of topics relating to communicating the wonders of Yosemite and the natural world.

Over the course of Erik's career, he is estimated to have directly impacted over 550,000 visitors, and countless others through his memorable ranger programs. He greets every visitor and coworker with a smile on his face, and a willingness to help, teach, engage, or provide support.

The annual award, the highest award a park employee can receive, is named after Barry Hance, a park employee who tragically lost his life clearing the Tioga Road in 1995. Recipients of this award are employees who exemplify the qualities and attributes of Barry. These include teamwork, a positive attitude, concern for the public and fellow employees, public service, and a deep love for Yosemite National Park.

Westerlund's family attended the award presentation in Yosemite Valley.

Pictured above: Ray McPadden, Acting Superintendent of Yosemite National Park (left), Erik Westerlund, Park Ranger Naturalist (middle), and Sharon Miyako, Acting Chief of Interpretation and Education (right). Erik is holding the plaque commemorating his award just after the ceremony in Yosemite Valley on September 11, 2025.

Source & photo: NPS