National Parks – From the North Slope to the North Woods – Tim Hudson

Course Overview

Join us for a four‑week adventure through Tim Hudson’s 50 years with the National Park Service. Each session blends easygoing conversation, lively stories, and Tim’s trademark humor, giving you a warm, behind‑the‑scenes look at life in the National Parks. It’s part class, part campfire chat, and entirely enjoyable.

Logistics

Instructor: Tim A. Hudson

Location: UMA–Bangor Campus, Eastport Hall, Room 135

Dates: 4 Sessions – March 25; April 1, 8, 15

Time: 10:00 am–12:00 pm 

Maximum seats: No maximum

What to Expect

A mix of presentation, open dialog, and plenty of memorable stories from Tim’s long and colorful career. The sessions will be recorded, with the recording link available to view for two weeks for registered participants.

Weekly Topics

March 25 – NPS and Other Public Lands
A look at the history and mission of America’s public lands, along with Tim’s own path into the National Park Service.

April 1 – Inside a Large Park: Yellowstone
How a major park operates, what makes Yellowstone unique, and the surprising opportunities it offers for experimentation and learning.

April 8 – Alaska and Remote Parks
A tour of Alaska’s one‑of‑a‑kind park system and the challenges and rewards of managing remote wilderness areas.

April 15 – Katahdin Woods and Waters
An exploration of this special Maine landscape and the stories behind its history and designation.

About the Instructor: Tim A. Hudson

A native Californian, Tim Hudson grew up in the Bay Area and later studied at the University of California–Davis and the University of Alaska In Civil Engineering. He began his National Park Service career in 1967 as a seasonal employee and never looked back.
In 1982, Tim became chief of maintenance at Yellowstone National Park before moving to Alaska, where he championed alternative and sustainable energy projects and expanded opportunities for park and regional staff.
When Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast in 2012, Tim left Alaska to lead the National Park Service’s Northeast region recovery program. In 2016, he was appointed the first superintendent of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, serving five years in that role. The monument was established in 2016 following a gift of more than 87,500 acres from philanthropist and Burt’s Bees co‑founder Roxanne Quimby.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Tim has been honored with both the Department of the Interior’s Meritorious Service Award and its Distinguished Service Award. He is known for his mix of professionalism and humor–as well as being a pioneer in the professionalization of the field of facilities operations and project management. Though retired, you’ll have to catch him before he and his wife, Mary, head off to one of the many places they’ve called home.