Michael Schmidt
Michael Schmidt, San Juan National Forest wildlife technician, is now wildlife biologist for the BLM Tres Rios Field Office.
He started his federal career in 2008 in Dolores as a seasonal temporary wildlife technician from 2008. In 2011, he received his permanent position. He received a degree in environmental biology from Fort Lewis College in 2008.
He enjoys climbing, hiking, and biking and lives in a barn-house conversion with girlfriend Sabina, a geologist in Durango, and George, his dog.
"I'm still in slight disbelief at how lucky I've been to advance my career in such an amazing area," Schmidt said.
Scott McDermid
Scott McDermid, a Tres Rios BLM fire management officer since 2009, works at the regional Forest Service office as a fire and aviation management specialist.
He will be based in the Dolores Public Lands Office, coordinating training for Region 2 fire and aviation management.
He has worked more than 20 years for the Forest Service, BLM and National Park Service. He and his wife, Julie Bell, BLM archaeologist in Dolores, have a daughter, Annabel, who is almost 11, and a "bunch of pets."
"I look forward to helping provide a strong fire and aviation management training program throughout Region 2," he said.
Cara Gildar
Cara Gildar, a former ecologist for the Dolores District, is now the National Environmental Policy Act planner for the San Juan Forest.
Gildar spent the past decade working for the Forest Service and BLM. She oversees forest NEPA projects. Her duty station will remain in Dolores, but she will spend time at other districts.
Gildar started her Forest Service career in 1997 as a fire lookout on the Flathead National Forest, and volunteered in 1998 at Glacier Bay National Park. In 2002, she worked as a botanist for the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. Cara arrived on the San Juan National Forest in 2004. She has a bachelor's degree in zoology, and minor in English, from the University of Florida, and a master's in forestry from Northern Arizona University.
She has a son, Emmett, 4, and enjoys hiking, reading, cooking, edible and medicinal plants.
"I am proud to work on a progressive, research-friendly forest," Gildar says.
For The Cortez Journal
