John Bowers has been selected as the deputy district ranger for the Barlow and Hood River Ranger Districts on the Mt. Hood National Forest. In this new position he will help manage the eastern side of Mt. Hood as the Forest expands its wildfire risk reduction work on national forest lands. Bowers joins the Forest on May 8 and will be based in Parkdale on the Hood River Ranger District.
“John emerged as a leader in his previous role,” said District Ranger Kameron Sam. “He will be a great addition to our Forest. We have been given a unique opportunity with recent congressional funding to reduce wildfire risks in our area. John’s natural resources background will be critical as our districts begin these wildfire fuels reduction projects.”
Bowers has a Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee in forestry with an emphasis in silviculture. He worked as a research assistant for forest ecology and silviculture projects across the South. Bowers started his Forest Service career as a timber stand improvement specialist on the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan. Most recently Bowers served as acting deputy district ranger on the Carson Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in Nevada. Varied experience in forestry and natural resources roles developed his passion for multiple-use management of our public lands.
“What I love most about working for the Forest Service is the opportunity to serve people and ensure their sustainable, equitable access to our public lands,” said Bowers. “I’m excited to build on my experience in natural resource management and my dedication to collaboration and partnership with local communities.”
The Barlow and Hood River Ranger Districts encompass more than 385,000 acres of land and include a variety of recreation opportunities, wilderness areas, and rich history. Earlier this year the districts were designated by the Forest Service as a national priority landscape to safeguard communities and the resources they depend on by increasing fuels treatments over time, promoting community readiness, and supporting postfire recovery and restoration.