National Park Service spokesman David Barna will retire on Feb. 1, the agency announced today.

Barna, 62, has served as NPS's chief spokesman since 1995, working on a range of projects from Ken Burns' documentary "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" to the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

He has worked for the federal government for 38 years, including stints as spokesman for the National Science Foundation and the Bureau of Mines.

"I've worked for many federal agencies, and this is absolutely the best place to work," he said. "I don't know why it doesn't show up in the ratings. It's been an honor."

The Park Service will conduct a nationwide search for Barna's replacement, a process that could take up to five months, Barna said. Until then, spokesman Jeff Olson will act as chief with help from regional staff.

Barna's public announcement comes on the same day Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced his own plans to leave (see related story). That, Barna said, was a coincidence; he first told staff he was leaving in December.

"It's not true that he's leaving because he can't go on without me," Barna joked. "This has been a long time coming."