April 27, 2018 – Alonzo “Lon” Henderson has been selected as the new District Ranger for the Yuba River Ranger District on the Tahoe National Forest. Lon begins his tenure on April 30, 2018.

Lon began his career as a U.S. Army Field Artillery Officer, which included service throughout Europe, Africa, and the United States. Lon was offered an early-out during military downsizing and left the military under the rank of major.

Lon earned a master’s degree at Naval Postgraduate School, as an honor graduate, and another at Tufts University while cross-enrolled at Harvard.

After the military, Lon and his wife, Nancy, bought their own business –a family resort in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The resort included a hotel, two restaurants, an event facility, a golf course, and a cross-country ski area. Lon’s proudest achievement during resort ownership was the placement of a permanent conservation easement on their antique golf course to allow for permanent forest management, recreation use, viewshed protection, and historic preservation.

Lon and Nancy eventually sold the resort. Shortly after, Lon began his Forest Service career –first as a Visitor Services Supervisor in the White Mountain National Forest of New Hampshire and Maine and then to California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest and National Recreation Area. Last summer, Lon accepted a temporary detail as District Ranger for the Eagle Lake District on the Lassen National Forest. Now, Lon is looking forward to his new position as the Yuba River Ranger District’s incoming District Ranger. Lon’s vision for the position is working collaboratively with internal and external partners while fulfilling the Forest Service’s mission within tightening budget, personnel, and regulatory constraints.

Lon, Nancy, and their four children love winter skiing and summer hiking. Lon also works with wood, writes, and visits the gym regularly.

Michael Woodbridge has been selected as the new District Ranger for the Tahoe National Forest’s American River Ranger District. Michael begins his tenure on April 30, 2018.

Prior to Michael’s selection as District Ranger, he served four years as the Public Affairs Officer for the Tahoe National Forest. Michael earned a Natural Resources, Recreation and Tourism degree from Colorado State University, and a Master’s degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Policy from George Washington University.

Before joining the U.S. Forest Service, Michael worked for non-profit conservation organizations and the U.S. Congress in Washington, DC, and also rowed boats in Alaska’s Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. Michael began his federal career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in California, where he managed public affairs for the California Condor Recovery Program and four national wildlife refuges in Ventura, before moving to Sacramento to lead Congressional, Tribal, and public affairs for the Pacific Southwest Region.

While on the Tahoe National Forest, Michael also performed detail assignments as the District Ranger for the Leadville Ranger District in Colorado and the Georgetown Ranger District in California.

Michael is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys hunting, fishing, rock climbing, backpacking, and mountain biking.

Michael will miss working at the Tahoe National Forest Headquarters in Nevada City, but is looking forward to his new responsibilities at the American River Ranger District. “Having lived and recreated in this area for the past six years, I am really looking forward to stewarding the lands and resources in cooperation with our many valuable partners and stakeholders who share a commitment to the American River Ranger District.”