Lassen National Forest Supervisor Deb Bumpus is officially retiring Wednesday, July 31st, after 33 years of serving in the USDA Forest Service, taking care of public land, and serving people.
Bumpus’ lengthy career began in 1991 on the Plumas National Forest, Beckwourth Ranger District as a zone Wildlife Biologist, and over the years took her to places such as the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Sawtooth National Forest as a Threatened and Endangered Species Biologist, Region 4 as a Regional Assistant Threatened and Endangered Species Program Manager, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest as an Ecosystem Staff Officer, Plumas National Forest, Beckwourth Ranger District as a District Ranger, Coronado National Forest as a Deputy Forest Supervisor. There have also been many temporary detail assignments.
Bumpus stepped into the role of Forest Supervisor on the Lassen National Forest in August 2019, leading the Forest toward key accomplishments such as growth of the Lassen partners; completion of the forest over-the-snow decision; working with Lassen College’s Foundation to enter into a new 20-year agreement for the management of campgrounds at Eagle Lake; and numerous vegetation and fuels reduction projects.
“It has been such an honor and privilege to serve as the Forest Supervisor of the Lassen National Forest for the past ten years,” said Bumpus.
“The employees on this Forest are among the most dedicated you’ll find anywhere; they are passionate about the lands we manage and the communities and visitors we serve. I could not have been prouder to serve with them and to represent them with the communities and partners.
“I am particularly proud of the partner organizations who are contributing to the successful implementation of a wide variety of restoration projects. I am also grateful to the Lassen County Board of Supervisors for the relationships we have forged and their interest and assistance with the programs on the Lassen National Forest.”
Bumpus’ contributions to the USDA Forest Service have centered around working and building relationships with local communities.
“I am so grateful to the Lassen National Forest employees, the communities, our Tribal neighbors, our volunteers and our many partners,” said Bumpus. “It’s extraordinary to be part of a community so invested in its national forest especially during this time of important wildfire restoration work.”
Bumpus says she will be staying in the Susanville area for the foreseeable future and after such a full career, plans to “enjoy not working for a while.” However, she will still be engaged with the Forest Service’s International Programs Watershed Seminar, held each April in Arizona, which hosts participants from countries across the world.
Forest Engineer, Travis Stewart, will be the Acting Forest Supervisor as the Pacific Southwest Regional Office looks for the Lassen’s next Forest Supervisor. A temporary Forest Supervisor will likely be assigned by the end of August and will be in place until a new permanent Forest Supervisor joins Lassen’s team.
