The Northern Hills Ranger District is welcoming a new district ranger as Patrick Champa steps into the role previously held by Steve Kozel.
Champa has spent nearly a decade with the U.S. Forest Service, beginning as a rangeland management specialist in the Wall and Mystic ranger districts. For the past three years, he has served as district ranger for the Bearlodge Ranger District in Sundance, Wyoming. He said his time in the agency has taught him that communication is central to the job.
“As the district ranger, you’re the face of the district,” Champa said. “Engaging with county commissions, city councils, and the public helps people understand why we do what we do.”
Champa said he’s looking forward to moving from the smaller Bearlodge District to the busier South Dakota side of the Black Hills, where many of the same partners he worked with in Wyoming are also active.
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