Donna Gaukler is a cornerstone in Missoula’s Parks and Recreation history. Donna’s persistence and passion over the years has led her to being one of the city’s greatest leaders for both Missoulians and its parklands for over 30 years. To her, the value of the recreation industry comes from “[s]eeing the joy in people when they play or learn a new skill” and “It is in parks where we meet our neighbors, learn about each other, our community, and become stewards of our environment.”

Donna started on her career path in parks at just 15 years old when she worked for a park district in Lidgerwood, North Dakota. She originally intended to pursue architecture in college but soon decided to continue working in Parks earning her Bachelor’s in Parks and Recreation Administration. She began working for Missoula’s Parks and Rec Department in 1992, becoming the director in 2002. Since then, Donna manages over 50 developed parks consisting of over 550 acres of park land, over 4000 acres of conservation land, and the tens of thousands of trees in Missoula’s urban forest–all numbers that increased since she took on the director position. Under her leadership, the Parks and Recreation Department has taken on multiple citizen-led initiatives, including land use planning and management, site plans, and general obligation bonds. The Department also focuses on incorporating access and equity, climate resiliency and sustainability, housing affordability, health and wellness outcomes, and habitat, into their management strategies. Donna’s built partnerships with multiple public and private entities like Montana Rail Link, Montana Redevelopment Association, Five Valley’s Land Trust, and more that helped acquire more park space and connect existing trail systems across the valley.

Donna is also an avid volunteer, especially with causes associated with Women’s Opportunity and Resource Development, Soroptimists International, American Red Cross, YWCA, Eagle Mount, numerous sports, recreation and art organizations and associations, and Missoula Alliance for Youth. Donna also co-founded Missoula Children and Nature, a nonprofit dedicated to building strong, healthy connections between Missoula’s youth and their environment through outdoor recreation.

Donna’s accolades include: the YWCA Salute to Excellence Award 1995, for the advancement of girls and women in sports (1995); two nominations for the Arnold Bolle Award in (2017, 2021); and the Missoula Downtown Association’s Dan Cederberg Downtowner of the Year (2021). After serving as City Parks and Recreation Director since 2002, Donna retired in November, 2025.She led the department for 23 years and brings nearly 50 years of experience serving the public through parks and recreation services. Thousands of Missoula citizens of all ages benefit from accessible outdoor recreation thanks to her years of dedication and service to her community, making her Lifetime Achievement Award from Missoula Conservation Roundtable well deserved.

By Kalle Fox