New ranger joins Lincoln forest district

Helena Forest Supervisor Bill Avey announced that Michael Stansberry will become the new Lincoln District Ranger of the Helena National Forest beginning next month.

"We are excited to welcome Michael to the Helena National Forest," Avey said in a news release. "Michael is joining the Forest Service from the National Park Service out of Yosemite National Park as the deputy chief ranger. In addition to his extensive resource and law enforcement background, he brings leadership skills and a demonstrated commitment community involvement."

Stansberry has 20 years of experience with federal land management, law enforcement and emergency services management, of which 15 years has been with the National Park Service in Nebraska, Michigan and California. Throughout his career, Michael has gained extensive knowledge and experience in: resource and wildlife management with a degree in wildlife management from the University of Missouri-Columbia; fire management on various levels — from working as a firefighter to providing fire management leadership on Type I Management Teams and as an agency administrator providing strategic guidance for fire management; wilderness issues, including implementation of a Congressional Wilderness designation change; and law enforcement related work on a special National Park Service team that traveled across the nation to implement the tactical components of special, complex events.

Stansberry's first experience in Lincoln was through a high school backpacking trip in the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wilderness areas, and he later became reacquainted with Montana, and the Bob , in 2003 while assigned to the Little Salmon Complex fires on the Spotted Bear Ranger District. When not working, Stansberry looks forward to exploring the district for good fishing and hunting spots, and fun hiking experiences.

"I jumped at the opportunity to apply for the Lincoln District Ranger position and am very excited to begin a new adventure in a beautiful and unique place in Montana," Stansberry said. "I look forward to moving to Lincoln, meeting and working with the employees, and becoming a part of a community with people who are so passionate about the great resources that surround their town."

Stansberry will begin as the Lincoln District Ranger on April 19.