Della Yurcik stands next to Brahma Temple during a backcountry patrol in the inner canyon/NPS, K. McHugh)

A backcountry ranger at Grand Canyon National Park has been honored with the Harry Yount Award as the National Park Service's top ranger.

The award for Della Yurcik honors her for consistent excellence in the performance of duties that serve park visitors and protect the natural, historical, and cultural resources of parks. The award is named after the nation's first park ranger and is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a park ranger today.

Since 2004, Yurcik has served as a backcountry law enforcement officer and an Advanced Life Support provider, flight medic, short-haul and technical rescuer. She serves regularly at Phantom Ranch, one of the most remote, high traffic ranger stations in the NPS, accessible only via a 7-mile hike through steep, rugged desert terrain, a 5-7 day Colorado River trip, or helicopter. She serves on high-profile search and rescue missions, complex law enforcement cases, and provides life-saving medical care in the remote backcountry of Grand Canyon.

According to the award nomination submitted by the park's Canyon district ranger, Lisa Hendy, Yurcik has earned the honors.

"Her ability to manage people with a balance of firmness and kindness is legendary," said Hendy/ "The Canyon District — known for an extraordinary range of call variety, in isolated areas and in some of the most extreme environments in North America -- has provided the backdrop for this exceptional ranger to shine, provide medical care, provide singular customer service to visitors, and to train the next generation of rangers.”

“I think it’s important for people to acknowledge the mental stress and toll that this job can take," said Yurcik, who is known for her good humor and encouragement. "It’s important to take care of yourself, along with your families, and the visitors. There’s going to be another search, another rescue, another emergency waiting tomorrow—years from now our visitors and coworkers are going to remember how we made them feel, not the number of emergencies we responded to.”

“We are proud and honored that Della was selected as the recipient of the 2022 Harry Yount Award,” said Grand Canyon Superintendent Ed Keable. “She is one of the most dedicated and skilled rangers in the National Park Service and in addition to being an exemplary ranger, Della also serves as a mentor to other rangers throughout the park.”