Trailblazers: our friend in conservation: Sen. Lamar Alexander has shown his dedication to park and recreation causes time and again.

Name: Lamar Alexander 

Title: U.S. Senator

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) has always been a friend to parks, recreation and conservation. He credits his affection for the outdoors to his upbringing in the scenic mountains of Tennessee. This senior senator has given much back to the land he calls home through tireless efforts to push conservation legislation through Congress.

Most recently, the Land and Water Conservation Fund received dedicated funding because of legislation he placed in the October 2006 offshore drilling bill. He is the 2005 recipient of NRPA's National Congressional Award and chaired the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. The Senator has served as U.S. Education Secretary, president of the University of Tennessee and as governor of Tennessee.

The future of parks and recreation: "I think like most of the world we live in, it is a rapidly changing future. There will be an enormous demand in our increasingly technological and busy society for quiet places and beautiful places and outdoors places. So there will be plenty to do to protect, preserve and enjoy and recreate in the great American outdoors. I would look for unexpected challenges. Who would have ever thought we'd have tens of thousands of cell phone towers around the country? Or tens of thousands of huge wind turbines that might interfere with enjoying beautiful views across America? I would look for private action. Who would have thought 20 years ago that private action would be the fastest-growing conservation movement in America? And I would look, for example, for conservation easements to create buffer zones around national and state parks because the funds won't be available to buy all those buffer zones, but individuals may be willing to create them."

Favorite slogan: "My grandfather, who was a railroad engineer, used to say 'Aim for the top--there's more room there.'"

Influences: "I think where I grew up made the difference. I grew up in Maryville, Tenn., which is right on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I saw the great pride that Tennesseans who live around the mountains feel. We believe we own the park. We have a big pride of ownership in it. I was in a very active Boy Scout troop ... and we would go hiking or camping in the park or around the park at least once a month. So I grew up hiking and camping and living outdoors with a great deal of interest and a pride in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and I'm sure that had the greatest influence on my lifelong interest in conservation and the outdoors."

Words of wisdom: "Don't become entranced by what the federal government can do, but pay more attention by what can be done community by community. Unquestionably, the federal government has a lot to do with making sure that we have a great American outdoors we can enjoy. But the most important work to be done is community by community. There's plenty to do where you live in your neighborhood and the most important park is the city park right down the street."

Web extra: Sen. Alexander talks with P&R about his favorite park moment and more.

www.nrpa.org/p&r