Album: The Uncommon Few of White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park

Park Rangers serve to support the mission of the National Park Service (NPS). “The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations…” Approximately 18,000 men and women work to support this mission across 433 locations in the United States and its territories. In the words of the NPS, “… the uncommon men and women of the National Park Service share a common trait: a passion for caring for the nation’s special places and sharing their stories.” The people of White Sands National Park who proudly don the green and grey are a part of this uncommon few. Their love of the land and dedication to the sustainability of the resource cannot be denied. The responsibility of protecting a place that has been loved and cared for by others who came before them for thousands of years rests steadfast on their shoulders, as they will spend the rest of their careers protecting this place and others like it. Their service may not always be obvious. Not all take you on guided tours, swear in junior rangers, or greet you at the fee station. You may not see or experience the service of all our rangers: the late-night patrols, event preparation, scientific study, or park maintenance. Not all service is visible, but all is necessary. The photos in this album were shot by WHSA’s VIP Photographer William Cummings in the spring of 2025. He beautifully captures the humanity of our park rangers as symbols of the National Park Service, and the living embodiment of the conservationists and stewards who came before them.