akin to having the monkey run the zoo..

I've no doubt that Sarah Palin cares deeply about nature-n-staff.  

She also probably would be the most influential Secretary of the Interior in history because she does have great influence around the country especially among those often not too friendly towards preservation. So when she'd speak of preserving something, even the most development oriented conservative would have to take note and be super polite (or else).  

The only thing is that I doubt she'd be interested in anymore government positions. She cut her tenure as governor short so she can capitalize on her unexpected fame. I doubt she'd want to deal with bureaucracy ever again