USDA Press Release
Price, UT, July 19, 2024 — Please join us in welcoming Barbara Van Alstine as Forest Supervisor on the Manti-La Sal National Forest.
Barbara has served as the Acting Forest Supervisor of the Manti-La Sal National Forest for approximately seven months prior to accepting the position as Forest Supervisor. Her 36-year career with the USDA Forest Service is backed by a variety of leadership roles and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Administration from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Prior to her work on the Manti-La Sal, Barbara served as District Ranger of the Kenton/Ontonagon/Bergland Ranger Districts on the Ottawa National Forest.
Barbara began her career as a Student Temporary Employee on the Kootenai National Forest in Northwest Montana in 1985 and accepted a permanent appointment on the De Soto National Forest in Mississippi in 1991. Barbara’s first District Ranger position was held on the Wallowa Valley Ranger District of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest in in 2004. Due to the failing health of her parents, who lived in Milwaukee, WI, she accepted a District Ranger position on the Kenton Ranger District of the Ottawa National Forest in August 2008. By 2018, she was asked to take on the District Ranger role for the Ontonagon/Bergland Ranger Districts as well as the Kenton Ranger District where she served as District Ranger until exploring her acting Forest Supervisor position on the Manti-la Sal in early 2024.
Barbara’s expertise has been honed across eight different forests and nearly all National Forest Service Regions (1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9). At one time, she aimed to have work experience on every Region of the National Forest system; however, time and family obligations have not allowed that to happen. Barbara is the mother of two young men who both attend college in Michigan.
The Manti-La Sal National Forest Service team looks forward to the varied leadership, experience, and steadfast dedication offered by Barbara Van Alstine in her new role as Forest Supervisor.
For more information visit our website www.fs.usda.gov/mantilasal or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/