 August 05, 2005 Thorne Bay - A new ranger has been chosen to guide one of the Tongass National Forest's districts on Prince of Wales Island. Jason Anderson, public affairs officer and partnership coordinator for the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Jackson, Wyo., was recently named the new Thorne Bay District Ranger. He's scheduled to report to his new job Sept. 6.
Anderson, who hails from Modesto, Calif., served 10 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a natural resource program leader before coming to work for the Forest Service in 2001. His work with the Corps included anadromous fisheries, riparian habitat restoration, community development, information and education, and recreation programs. In addition to his Forest Service public affairs and partnership work, Anderson served on the Bridger-Teton National Forest Fish and Wildlife Program staff. Anderson said he's "both honored and humbled by this amazing opportunity" to serve as the Thorne Bay District Ranger. "The Tongass is a nationally-recognized and significant natural resource to local communities and our country, yet offers an appealing lifestyle for my family and me, creating an extraordinary opportunity which I am thrilled to be part of," he said. "We're glad Jason has accepted this opportunity," said Tongass National Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole. "I'm confident he'll do a great job leading the District and serving the local community." "A dream come true," is how Anderson describes coming to Alaska. "My wife and I have talked for many years about the adventure of living in Alaska," he said. "After visiting Thorne Bay, and southeast Alaska, I was excited by the small town feel and beauty of the area, and am thrilled to be given the opportunity to be part of a small community and the professional district staff located in Thorne Bay." The new ranger said one of his most important jobs will be "listening and working with communities to define what they want from their public lands, and working hard to accomplish those goals." Anderson said his first priority will be "getting to know and learn everything I can from my staff, the communities and the natural resources on Prince of Wales Island. "After that," he said. "My long-term goal is to work with the District staff to implement a sustainable management program that meets the social, economic and ecological values of people living on the island." Anderson, who earned degrees in forestry and wildlife biology from California's Modesto Junior College and Stanislaus State University, recently completed a community leadership program called "Leadership Jackson Hole." "It's an excellent community leadership program that focuses on the importance of people investing in the future of their community, through professional and personal lives, no matter where you live," Anderson explained. "I really liked the program because it reinforced my feelings about 'giving back' to your community. "I currently volunteer for Jackson Hole Fire and Emergency Medical Service as a fire and rescue service provider and would like to provide that service to the community of Thorne Bay if needed." Anderson and his wife, Julie, have three young children: Abigail, 2; Reed, 2; and Owen, 3 months old. Thorne Bay is one of 10 ranger
districts located on the 17-million acre Tongass. Districts are
responsible for managing the forest for multiple uses to meet
the diverse needs of people, including special use permits, watershed
protection, recreation, fish, wildlife, subsistence, timber and
wilderness areas.
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