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Steve Eubanks, Forest Supervisor of the Tahoe National Forest, Announces His Retirement
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| Steve Eubanks, TNF |
Steve Eubanks announced his retirement effective Jan 3, 2008, culminating a 37-year career with the Forest Service. As Forest Supervisor for the Tahoe National Forest for the past 9 years, Eubanks' job has entailed managing complex programs on the 800,000 + acre National Forest in Sierra, Yuba, Nevada, and Placer Counties. "Steve's collaborative leadership in sustainable forestry and connection with forest research has been noteworthy both inside and outside the agency," stated Randy Moore, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester.
With a degree in Forest Engineering from Oregon State University, Steve began his permanent Forest Service career in geotechnical engineering on the Mount Hood National Forest in 1970 after working several summers for the agency. He spent 19 years on several National Forests in Oregon and Washington working in a variety of positions ranging from project planner to District Ranger on two districts. From 1989 to 1991, he was the first program leader for the Forest Service's National Recreation Strategy in Washington DC. He then headed north as the Supervisor of the Chippewa National Forest. In the fall of 1998, Eubanks arrived on the TNF as Supervisor.
Highlights of Eubanks' career have included:
- Working closely with researchers to develop concepts of forest ecosystem management that were a foundation for a Forest Service-wide program.
- Working with the Russian Forest Service in Central Siberia since 1995 to help develop sustainable forestry concepts and practices.
- Chairing the National Visiting Committee for a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program.
- Helping establish the new Sagehen Experimental Forest near Truckee in cooperation with the Pacific Southwest Experiment Station and the University of California, Berkeley - the first new experimental forest in 40 years.
- Sponsoring Forest Sustainability Workshops locally in conjunction with the Forest Breakfast Group to promote greater understanding of Sierra ecosystems and their sustainability.
When asked what brought him the most satisfaction, Eubanks stated, "I feel lucky to have had a very interesting and diverse career. The opportunity to work with and meet so many great people in virtually every part of this country and in other parts of the world has been particularly enjoyable. On the Tahoe Forest, I've been especially fortunate to be associated with many committed and capable people both inside the Forest Service and in the many cooperator, volunteer, and partner organizations we work with. In the face of California's rapidly growing population and the resulting pressure on a fixed public land base, this kind of multi-interest cooperation is essential if we wish to continue protecting forest the resources we all need and value while also providing public recreation opportunities."
In retirement, Steve hopes to continue some involvement in various forest management issues. He and his wife Nancy also want to spend time with family and to do some traveling.
Tom Quinn, Forest Supervisor from the Stanislaus National Forest in Sonora has been selected as the new Supervisor of the Tahoe. More details will be forthcoming as to Tom's report date and plans.
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