A Montana native who was raised on a ranch is the new Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas state director.
Sonya Germann, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation forester and Forestry Division administrator, will assume her new position this month, a Bureau of Land Management July 20 news release said.
“Sonya brings a lifetime in Montana and over 20 years of natural resources, conservation and business management experience to her new role,” said BLM Director Tracy Stone-Manning in the news release. “She’s highly respected for her inclusive approach to management, her ability to build strong relationships on the ground, and finding solutions to tough issues.”
Sonya Germann will assume her new position in August as the Bureau of Land Management Montana/Dakotas state director.
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Germann was hired in 2018 as administrator of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation’s Forestry Division, according to a Montana DNRC press release. In that role, Germann “led 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,” the release said.
“As BLM Montana/Dakotas state director, Germann will also oversee approximately 600 permanent staff and up to 230 career/temporary seasonal employees who help manage a myriad of public land uses and resources, including energy development, livestock grazing, outdoor recreation and the protection and control of wild horses and burros,” the release said.
Cassie Wandersee praised Germann on the Facebook page of the Bureau of Land Management – Montana/Dakotas.
“Congratulations to Sonya. I can't wait to see what amazing work she does with the BLM,” Wandersee, communications director at Montana DNRC, said on Facebook.
