Anderson, new Wallowa Mountains Ranger

By Paul Hall on Friday, May 21st, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

JOSEPH, OR – Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Supervisor, Tom Montoya, is pleased to announce that Brian Anderson has been selected as the new District Ranger for the Wallowa Mountains Office, beginning late May. Currently, Anderson serves as a Deputy Area Ranger out of Stanley, Idaho on the Sawtooth National Forest.

“The Wallowa-Whitman is fortunate to have a highly skilled leader joining our leadership team,” Montoya said. “Brian brings some great experience in working with rural communities in Central Idaho and understands the impact that difficult resource decisions can have on local communities and agency employees.”

A Forest Service employee of over 20 years, Anderson brings a “broad palette of skills” gained throughout his career. He offers a strong natural resources background, an understanding of complex recreation issues, and fire management experience. He has worked closely with a variety of stakeholders including partners, public, tribes and other federal agencies.

Since 2017, Anderson has served as the Sawtooth National Recreation Area Deputy Area Ranger on the Sawtooth National Forest. He is responsible for managing a diverse landscape and high use recreation area with a large variety of user groups and complex land management issues.

Anderson brings a depth of experience from past assignments in the Forest Service, including serving as Acting District Ranger on the Payette National Forest, Acting Area Ranger on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Hydrologist on the Boise National Forest, Trail Crew Foreman and Wilderness Ranger on the Payette National Forest, and as a wildland firefighter for the Idaho City Hotshots on the Boise National Forest.

Originally from Boise, Idaho, Anderson received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho and a Master of Science in Hydrology from Boise State University.

“I am extremely excited to join the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and become a part of the local community with my family,” Anderson said. “I look forward to meeting stakeholders, hearing their perspectives, and working collaboratively to address a wide variety of land management issues across the Wallowa Valley and Eagle Cap Districts and the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.”

Anderson will move to the Joseph area with his spouse, Amanda, their two daughters, Josephine and Matilda, and their dog Mogul. In his free time, you can find Anderson on a family adventure or hitting the slopes with his skis! His other hobbies include mountain biking, river running, fishing, and camping.

More information about the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman.