The award was presented to Doc Fiordland District Conservation Services manager Grant Tremain on Friday, coinciding with World Ranger Day, commemorating rangers killed or injured in the line of duty and celebrating the work rangers do to protect the world's natural and cultural treasures.
The award was established in 1996 in memory of Mr O'Dea, the field centre manager at Punakaiki, who died on April 28, 1995, along with 13 Tai Poutini Polytechnic pupils, when the Cave Creek viewing platform collapsed.
Mr Tremain will travel to Denali National Park in Alaska to study similarities between the two national parks, including the management of single road access, delivery of safety messages, provision of campsites and assessment of visitor experiences.
Doc director-general Lou Sanson said Mr Tremain had worked for the department for 16 years, 10 of those in Fiordland, where he led a team focused on providing visitors with the best possible experience.
''The award will allow Grant to build in his extensive expertise by exploring park management techniques in a highly comparable location overseas.
''It's fantastic that Grant's contribution to both the department and the Fiordland National Park can be recognised and enhanced in this way.''
