Monica Patel is currently the Project Lead and Wilderness Coordinator for Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS), America's largest national seashore. The barrier islands of the national seashore are among the last surviving portions of a natural ecological continuum once extending from Cape Cod to Mexico.  GUIS also includes two Congressionally designated wilderness barrier islands, provided with the highest level of protection afforded to federal land under the Wilderness Act of 1964.

Monica is leading park efforts to develop an integrated framework for decision making for the effective stewardship of designated wilderness and backcountry resources of GUIS.  The foresight of effective planning and future management will enable park staff to preserve the unique character, recreational opportunities, and intrinsic values of these resources.  

Monica has been actively engaged in wilderness stewardship efforts for the National Park Service (NPS) and the Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS).  She has employed her knowledge and skills at the regional and national levels.  She has filled the roles of presenter at an Arthur Carhart regional training workshop, keynote speaker at the 50th National Wilderness Conference, and member of the NPS Wilderness Leadership Council.

Prior to her current role, Monica has worked as a Natural Resource Advisor for the National Park Service during the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Response and a Geospatial Analyst for the Institute of Marine and Coastal Science at Rutgers University.