Expertise

Steve Wolter has over 35 years of service as a leader, manager, executive, and mentor in the parks, recreation, public lands, and tourism fields. His experience includes executive experience at agencies across three states and work at the highest levels of parks agencies nationally, as well as local and state non-profit and for-profit organizations.

Working on over 400 projects and serving more than 150 clients since 2000, Steve leads the Institute with a micro-macro approach that allows him to engage in details as needed while focusing on advancing parks and recreation agency capabilities and the profession as a whole.

His expertise in leadership for parks, recreation, and public lands agencies is widely valued by Eppley Institute partners and stakeholders.

Past Affiliations

Department of Health and Wellness Design, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington

Assistant Professor, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington

Executive Director, Office of Development and Communications, School of HPER, Indiana University Bloomington

Director, Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, School of Public Health, Indiana University Bloomington

Administrator, Bloomington, IN Park and Recreation Department

Associate Director, Recreational Sports, Indiana University Bloomington

Director, Recreation and Parks, City of Morro Bay, CA

Communities
Hospitality and Tourism, Physical Education, Physical Education, Public Health
Degrees
MS, Indiana University, Recreation & Park Management, 1980
BS, University of Minnesota, Urban Studies, 1979
Keywords
forest economics forestry land management or land use forest ecology forest management urban planning land use planning parks and recreation management zoological park recreation and leisure studies
Honors

Certified Recreational Sports Specialist, National Intramural Recreational Sports Association

Certified International Park Professional, World Park Academy, 2014-2017

Richard Lawson Award, Great Lakes Park Training Institute, 2011

Outstanding Contributors Award, National Park Service, 2009

Fellow, American Academy of Park and Recreation Administration, 2008 to present

Excellence in Partnership Award, National Park Service, 2008

Crystal Owl Outstanding Training Award (Government Training, Public Lands Management), Training & Development Division (National Park Service), 2001

Agency Showcase Award For Marketing Excellence, California Park and Recreation Society, 1992

Certified Park & Recreation Professional, National Recreation and Park Association, 1987-2016

Professional Honor Award, California Park and Recreation Society, District VIII, 1987

Outstanding Young Man of America, 1985

Associations
Association for Talent Development
Association of National Park Service Park Maintenance Employees
George Wright Society
Indiana Parks and Recreation Association
International Federation of Park and Recreation Adminstration
National Recreation and Park Association