We had the opportunity to catch up with new Red Rock District Ranger Amy Tinderholt this month. Prior to her appointment as Ranger, Amy served as the Deputy District Ranger for the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest in Bend, OR.

Why did you want this job?

The Red Rock Ranger District is known across the nation for its progressive and innovative approach to its partnership and volunteer programs that has been driven by local, grassroots stakeholders. I wanted to work and learn in an area where the communities and partners are committed to engaging with the Forest Service whether its to get work done or work through difficult land management issues, and the Forest Service is committed to having an open mind about what that engagement looks like and how it leads to proprieties, actions and decisions.

What about your background is it that made you THE Choice to lead this District?

In leaving my last job I was very proud to hear people say that that I listened, sought to understand, and tried to use that understanding to move projects or issues forward. This is an area that is loved and used by many different people with sometimes competing values, those skills will help me to make good, sometimes difficult, decisions. My fifteen years in recreation management doesn’t hurt either!

What do you see as the top three short and long term challenges for the District?

• Completion and implementation of the Fossil Creek Comprehensive River Management Plan.
• Establishing a 3-5 year outlook of our recreation program priorities. There are an incredible number of needs for across the recreation program and demands from communities, partners and individuals. We need to be able to clearly communicate what work we are prioritizing and why. This will also help us and our partners be more efficient and successful pursuing outside funding.
• Supporting and building on our partner and collaborative efforts. We want to continue to practice and improve our collaborative decision making and efforts to incorporate a broader landscape view of land management.

In three years, where do you see yourself and the District?

Over the next three years I hope that I have built relationships within the community and on the District. We will take on great projects that people love and support, we will also take on difficult and contentious issues. If we have done it well we will retain the trust and support of the public we serve through the good and the tough.