Andrew Archuleta has been selected District Manager for the Bureau of Land Management California Desert District in Moreno Valley, California. In this position, he will be responsible for 10.5 million-acres of public lands within nine counties and around 200 employees.
Andrew replaces Beth Ransel who has taken a position as Deputy Superintendent at Lake Mead National Recreation Area with the National Park Service.
Andrew came to the California Desert District from his native state of Colorado, where he worked as the Bureau of Land Management Colorado Northwest District Manager since 2017. For Andrew, the California Desert District represents the quintessential example of BLM's multiple-use mission-creating both challenges and opportunities.
“The California desert is absolutely fascinating. The incredible environment provides resources found no where else in the world," Andrew said. “The desert provides training grounds for our military and has an abundance of mineral and renewable resources that are key to meeting our country's needs. In addition, the desert provides a place for recreationists to enjoy a plethora of activities from hiking to rockhounding.
“All of this together creates a great opportunity to work with the incredible employees of the California Desert District as well as the multitude of partners and publics to manage this incredible landscape," he added.
Andrew began his federal career as a wildlife toxicologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He was a dual-delegated line officer for the U.S. Forest Service and the BLM in the San Luis Valley, and worked as the BLM project manager for the Yellowstone oil spill, and an assignment as the Acting BLM New Mexico Deputy State Director for Resources and Fire. Andrew has a bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and a master’s degree in wildlife toxicology, both from Colorado State University.
Andrew is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys backpacking, hiking, snowshoeing, biking, skiing, hunting and fishing. He has a daughter and son-in-law and a granddaughter in Murrieta, California, and a son and daughter-in-law in Tempe, Arizona.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
