 May 28, 2004
Greg Killinger, who is currently the Fish, Wildlife, Watershed, Ecology and Subsistence Program leader for the Sitka Ranger District, has been selected as the new Craig District
The Tongass National Forest Supervisor is happy Killinger has accepted the position. "He's the right person for the job," said Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole. "Greg has a diverse background, with extensive experience in fisheries and wildlife management, watershed assessment and restoration, and support to timber, engineering, silviculture and recreation." Killinger looks forward to the challenges and opportunities associated with being the Craig District Ranger. "I believe a ranger's job involves providing common-sense leadership at the district and creating a positive, safe and productive environment for employees and visitors," he said. "My leadership style is friendly, open, honest communication with respect for everyone. I emphasize teamwork, innovative thinking, accountability and working with the public to promote good land stewardship and community strength." Killinger said it's vital to be engaged with the community. "I think a major part of a ranger's duties is to help establish quality working relationships and partnerships with people from other agencies, Native organizations and nearby communities," he said. "I have visited Craig, Klawock and the surrounding area several times and have been greatly impressed by the area and people. It will be a great place to live, work and become part of the community." Although he's ready for the challenge, the new ranger said he will miss Sitka. "I have really enjoyed working with so many great folks in Sitka and will miss them all," said Killinger. Killinger, who grew up on a farm in Oregon's Willamette Valley, arrived in Sitka in May 1983 and began working for the Forest Service as a hydrology technician and volunteer. "Like many others, I fell in love with the area and people, and have called Sitka and southeast Alaska home ever since," he said. During his more than 21 years in Sitka, Killinger has held numerous Forest Service positions both locally and temporary work details outside the area. After serving two years as a volunteer hydrology technician from 1983 to 1985, Killinger worked as a biological technician for the Forestry Sciences Lab and Sitka Ranger District from 1985 to 1988. He was the Sitka District fisheries biologist from 1988 to 1995. Killinger also served as a temporary assistant to the National Watershed Staff in Washington D.C. in 2001. During the same year, he was the acting district ranger at the Cordova Ranger District on the Chugach National Forest and, most recently, he was the acting district ranger at Admiralty National Monument in 2004. The ranger districts on the Tongass are responsible for managing the national forest for multiple uses to meet the diverse needs of people, including special use permits, timber, recreation, fish, wildlife, subsistence and wilderness areas. The Craig Ranger District is one of 10 ranger districts on the 16.8 million acre Tongass National Forest. The Craig District encompasses one million acres, including 250,000 acres of Native corporation land. Killinger earned a bachelor's degree in wildlife science from Oregon State University in 1983 and a master's in natural resource management (fisheries and wildlife) from Virginia Tech in 1994. Killinger and his wife, Lisa,
a Sitka native, have been married 14 years.
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