Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Director Tracy Stone-Manning announced Sonya Germann as the new BLM Montana/Dakotas State Director. Germann will assume the position in August.

“Sonya has interfaced with the Montana Stockgrowers Association for many years. She has a strong background in natural resources and has worked to move forward forest management in Montana under the Good Neighbor Authority. We look forward to working with Sonya in her new role.”

said President Jim Steinbeisser

As BLM Montana/Dakotas State Director, Germann will manage a myriad of public land uses and resources, including livestock grazing, energy development, outdoor recreation, and wild horses and burros.

Previously Germann worked for Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Forestry Division as the state forester. Since 2018, Germann has headed the state’s wildland fire operations, oversaw state and private forestry assistance, and collaborated with governmental and non-governmental partners to address forest health and wildland fire risk issues across ownership boundaries.

Born in Montana and raised on a ranch, Germann first went to work for DNRC in 2004 as a part-time staff person in the Forestry Division’s seedling nursery. In 2007, she was hired full-time as a planner in the Trust Lands Division’s Forest Management Bureau. She was promoted to chief of that bureau in 2012. Prior to working for the DNRC, Germann worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service as a biological sciences technician at the Tongrass National Forest in Alaska. 

Germann holds bachelor’s degrees in wildlife biology and liberal studies, both from the University of Montana. She is nearing completion of a master’s degree in resource conservation from the University of Montana College of Forestry.

The Montana Stockgrowers Association is a grassroots membership organization and is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers. With a 135 year history, MSGA advocates and ensures cattle ranching remains relevant, safe and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.

CONTACT:

Keni Reese

Director of Marketing & Communications

406-442-3420

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