After time as acting ranger, Beth Christensen is now officially the district
ranger for the Eastern Divide district, headquartered in Blacksburg.
Beth Christensen has begun her duties as the new district ranger for the USDA Forest Service’s Eastern Divide Ranger District, headquartered in Blacksburg. As district ranger, Christensen will work with local communities, interest groups and members of the public to oversee nearly 400,000 acres of the Jefferson National Forest. The Eastern Divide Ranger District spans 11 counties in southwest Virginia including Montgomery.
Christensen officially reported to work on Monday, June 8, 2020, but she has been serving as the acting district ranger since March 29. As district ranger, Christensen oversees a staff of 27 who manage nearly 400 miles of trails (including 150 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail), eight campgrounds and 500 miles of roads. They also work to enhance wildlife habitat through controlled fire and timber management. Christensen replaces District Ranger Dan McKeague, who now works with the national office.
“Beth’s diverse experience in forest management and leadership will be an asset for the Eastern Divide Ranger District,” said Forest Supervisor Job Timm. Christensen comes to the area from Kentucky with her husband, Andrew, and their son, Noah, 7, and daughter, Charlotte, 5.
“Since my first forest service experience, I’ve wanted to be a district ranger and to set a tone of cohesion and collaboration for the district,” Christensen said. “I’m sincerely looking forward to engaging with local communities and partners.
“Starting this position during a global pandemic is a special challenge,” said Christensen. “I know that many people want to see recreation areas reopen. I will be working closely with our state and local partners to determine the best options to safely reopen sites that were closed in response to the pandemic.
“Visitors may see sites open while restrooms remain closed. I want local communities and visitors to be able to recreate responsibly on the Eastern Divide and enjoy their national forest safely,” the new forest ranger said.
Christensen graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Wildlife Biology from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., and a Master of Science in Conservation Ecology from California State University in Sacramento.
Christensen began her career with the forest service in 2004 and has worked in wildlife biology, timber management, project planning and as an acting district ranger. She has worked in nine ranger districts across California, Oregon, Kentucky, Arkansas and Virginia. Christensen first worked in Virginia in 2017 as the acting district ranger on the Clinch Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest based in Norton.
Christensen can be reached at the Eastern Divide District Office at (540) 552-4641.
