The National Park Service (NPS) has selected Jay Sturdevant as overseer of Scotts Bluff National Monument and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument in western Nebraska. Sturdevant is currently chief of the integrated resources division at Pearl Harbor National Monument and Honouliuli National Historic Site in Honolulu, Hawaii. He will begin his new role at the monuments this fall.

Scotts Bluff National Monument was established by presidential proclamation in 1919. This was the first time the Antiquities Act was used to preserve a landscape based on the westward extension. The monument encompasses over 3,000 acres of prairie and bluff habitat in western Nebraska. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument was designated in 1965 to protect unique Miocene fossils and associated quarries, provide a center for continuing paleontological research, and preserve the James H. Cook and Red Cloud Native American ethnographic collection. The monument is located approximately 50 miles north of Scotts Bluff National Monument.

“I am pleased to announce Jay Sturdevant as the next Superintendent of Scotts Bluff National Monument and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument,” said Bert Frost, NPS Midwest regional director. “His extensive experience in natural and cultural resource management will be a great asset to both park units, as will his ability to communicate effectively across program areas and with external partners. I look forward to welcoming him back to the Midwest Region.”

Sturdevant brings over 25 years of NPS experience. He began his career as an archaeological technician at Dinosaur National Monument before working for 22 years as an archaeologist and cultural resource consultant at the Midwest Archeological Center in Nebraska. His previous experience includes serving as deputy director of the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in 2017. Sturdevant received a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Colorado State University in 1999 and a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Nebraska in 2001.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to return to Nebraska,” said Sturdevant“I look forward to working with staff, local stakeholders, tribal partners and the public to develop a vision for both Nebraska parks that builds on each park’s past successes and future goals.”

Jay and his wife Christina plan to return to Nebraska this October. They enjoy spending time together hiking, camping, reading, doing puzzles, playing with their dog Charlie-Jellybean, and gardening. They are looking forward to learning how to wrap up in the winter again.