To celebrate almost 30 years of ANPR leadership, the theme for Rendezvous XXIX was “A Legacy of Leadership.” Coeur d’Alene, in northern Idaho, was the host city, with the Coeur d’Alene Resort as a spectacular venue for the educational and collegial weekend.

The ANPR board meeting began at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 10. An evening social was held that night. Workshop sessions ran through mid-afternoon Tuesday, Nov. 14.

In honor of leadership theme, it was fitting that Superintendent J. T. Reynolds, recipient of the 2005 Stephen T. Mather Award from National Parks Conservation Association, opened the event Saturday morning. He was recognized for his leadership and unwavering dedication to the long-term protection of the national parks. At Death Valley and throughout his career with the National Park Service, Reynolds has demonstrated commitment to park resources, staff and volunteers.

Additional speakers included Steve Wolf, president of Issues Management Solutions (www.solutionsbyims.com), who addressed crisis communications; and representatives from the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center (www.firelessons.net), who spoke about the center and presented highlights from the Managing the Unexpected Workshop Series.

Panel presentations included an authors’ discussion with Eric Blehm and Peter Stekel (www.ericblehm.com, www.thelastseason.com and www.peterstekel.com). They spoke about advocating environmental leadership through the written word. Another panel included past award recipients from various NPS disciplines discussing the leadership legacy of the NPS.