Paige Baker, superintendent at Badlands National Park, announced he is retiring from the National Park Service at the end of the year. Baker has served at the park for five years.

While at the park, he North Dakota-native was instrumental in developing the South Unit General Management Plan, organized a Friends Group for Badlands National Park, promoted and built relationships with the neighbors and partners, and directed the Common Ground Project for high school students, according to a news release from the NPS.

Before coming to the Badlands, he was superintendent at Casa Grande Ruins in Arizona. He also served as superintendent of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, director of extension with the University of Minnesota and worked with the Philip-Stokes Foundation in New York and Washington, D.C.

"Doctor Baker will be greatly missed at Badlands National Park and in the area for his leadership and dedication to educating all ages about national parks," deputy park superintendent Steve Thede said in a news release.

A celebration of Baker's career will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29 at the Wall Community Center.

To reserve a seat or more information, call Pam Livermont at 433-5281.