PENDLETON–Susan Piper, a Forest wildlife and botany program manager in the Olympic National Forest, has been selected to succeed long-time Pomeroy District Ranger Monte Fujishin, who will retire at the end of April after more than 22 years as the Pomeroy District Ranger, announced Umatilla National Forest Supervisor Eric Watrud.

Piper will start at the position April 27.

During the past 18 years on the Olympic, Piper has provided key leadership in working with a multitude of Tribes, partners and stakeholders focused on restoration and conservation work. Piper has been on several short-term assignments as both a District Ranger and Natural Resources Staff Officer, as well as a detail to the Washington Office as the National Assistant Wildlife Program Leader.

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Susan Piper will be the Pomeroy District's new Ranger, following Monte Fujishin, long-time Ranger who will retire at the end of April after 22 years in the Pomeroy District.

A Washington state native, Piper began her career on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest working as a firefighter. Piper spent 13 years working on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in timber and wildlife before moving to the Olympic National Forest. Piper has a bachelor's degree in environmental sciences from Western Washington University and a master's degree in natural resources sciences (wildlife management) from Washington State University.

"Through the years I have heard about the great work being done on the Umatilla and I am honored to get to work with the staff and communities as the Pomeroy District Ranger," said Piper. "I look forward to making connections and building relationships so that together we can continue to accomplish work on the Forest."

Piper recalls many of her earliest childhood memories are from camping, fishing and hiking in the national forests and state parks of eastern Washington. Piper and her husband Corbin are looking forward to getting back to the blue skies and varied landscapes of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon. Additionally, the move will allow them to live near their son Ronan, who is attending college in Walla Walla.

Watrud also announced the appointment of Aaron Gagnon as Walla Walla District Ranger.