Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, August 28, 2018
(BEDFORD) - The Hoosier National Forest strives to attract skilled employees in a variety of disciplines. As a team we welcome several new employees. Travis Swaim, a native of Montgomery County, Ind., recently started his new position as forest silviculturist on the Hoosier National Forest (NF).
He is working in the Tell City Ranger District in Tell City, Ind. Travis's first Forest Service job was on the Hoosier NF nearly ten years ago when he worked as a technician in both the recreation and timber programs. Following his time on the Hoosier NF, Travis worked for multiple national forests managing in many different forest ecosystems. His most recent position was as the district silviculturist on the Malheur National Forest in eastern Oregon.
His primary job duties on the Hoosier NF will include overseeing reforestation and stand improvement activities, as well as writing prescriptions for timber management. Travis also plans to work closely with other resource areas to assist with activities such as prescribed burning, wildlife habitat management, recreation, and control of non-native invasive species.
Travis has a bachelor's degree in environmental management from Indiana University and a master's degree in forestry from Purdue University. His master's thesis research was conducted on the Hoosier NF where he studied the long-term development and competitive ability of oak-hickory species following harvest.
He is excited to be back in his home state where he can be closer to family and once again work in hardwood ecosystems. In his free time he enjoys boating, fishing, mountain biking, camping, and backpacking.
Travis Swaim, forest silviculturist
Alexander Johnson is the new visitor services information assistant for the Tell City Ranger District. He was born and raised in St. Louis, Mo., and now has family in Springfield, Ill. He attended Illinois State University and received a bachelor's degree in history. After graduating he had the opportunity to perform a summer internship at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyo., which confirmed his desire to work with the public providing valuable information on cultural, natural, and historical resources. Following this passion, Alexander became a seasonal park ranger and worked four summers at Pompeys Pillar National Monument for the Bureau of Land Management. Alexander says he fell in love with the west, but is very excited to now return to the midwest with his fiancé, Kelsey, and start the next chapter of his life and career. He enjoys playing and watching hockey, amusement parks and spending time with friends and family. He resides in Owensboro, Ky..
Alexander Johnson, visitor services information assistant
Charles Brooks is the new law enforcement officer on the Hoosier NF. As an Ellettsville native, Charlie and is very happy to be back home and close to family and his alma mater, Indiana University (IU) in Bloomington. He has both bachelor's and master's degrees from IU, focusing on natural resource management and worked at the university as a research and teaching preserve manager. Charlie served in the Indiana National Guard as a combat medic and in combat operations in Iraq. He has experience with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources in both state parks and forestry.
Charles Brooks, law enforcement officer
When he was a supervisory recreation specialist for the Forest Service, he served concurrently as a forest protection officer, which led to his current career in law enforcement. After serving as a law enforcement officer at the Stanislaus and Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forests, Charlie is now stationed at the Brownstown Ranger District in Bedford. His hobbies include mountain and road biking, fishing, hiking with his wife and 3 dogs, camping, turkey hunting, and watching IU basketball and the Green Bay Packers.
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