Dana Gardunio

About Dana Gardunio

Currently I serve as the District Ranger for the Ouray Ranger District on the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests, where I am responsible for the management of acres of National Forest, and manage a staff of 25. Program areas under my authority include timber, fire, range, recreation, lands and minerals, wildlife, archaeology & cultural resources.Prior to working for the Forest Service, I worked for the Bureau of Land Management in several positions and states. Most recently I served as the Associate District Manager for the Bureau of Land Management\'s (BLM) Colorado Southwest District, also in Montrose. Prior to that, I served as the lead public affairs officer for BLM in California where I managed media relations to convey the BLM’s mission, policy developments, program milestones and land use planning efforts across 15 million acres of BLM-managed land in California. Prior to working in California, I served in both the public affairs and legislative affairs offices for BLM in Washington, DC where I not only served as a spokesperson for the agency but developed legislative testimony for Congressional hearings. I have also served as a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) planner for the Bureau in Eugene, OR, primarily planning for timber sales and recreation projects.Prior to working for the BLM, I worked for the National Science Foundation in their legislative and public affairs office on media relations, congressional events and outreach.Before relocating to the DC area, I worked at the Minnesota House of Representatives for two legislators and the Agriculture, Rural Economies and Veterans Affairs Finance Committee. I also worked for the 2006 coordinated campaign in Minnesota, as the Program Coordinator for a wetlands protection program, a project coordinator for a watershed district and in development for the International Wolf Center.I also have international experience on environmental and policy issues including freshwater resources in the Rift Valley of Kenya, sustainable agriculture and forestry in Costa Rica and advocacy and public affairs with the European Union.I earned my B.S. in Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Minnesota and my Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) specializing in Environmental Policy from American University in Washington, DC.

Experience

1. District Ranger

   Usda Forest Service

   Aug 2018 — Present · Montrose, CO, US

Education

• American University

  MPP, Public Policy

  2009 — 2011

• University of Minnesota

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Natural Resources Management and Policy

  2000 — 2004