BLM Names Kirsten Kaiser to Lead North Central Montana District

Staff and leaders welcomed Kirsten Kaiser as the new district manager of the Bureau of Land Management's North Central Montana District, on Jan. 17.

Kaiser previously served as the Three Rivers District Ranger for the U.S. Forest Service, Kootenai National Forest, a position she held since 2012. Her 30-plus-year federal career began in a variety of student trainee and seasonal positions with both the BLM and Forest Service. She went on to assignments and positions of increasing complexity and responsibility at all levels of the organization, including in wildlife, forestry, fuels and NEPA, and served as team leader for Forest Plan Revisions on the Kootenai and Idaho Panhandle National Forests

"Kirsten is an exceptionally strong leader," said Sonya Germann, BLM Montana/Dakotas state director. "Her ability to communicate both internally and externally, constructively resolve conflict and collaborate with partners, build relationships, and empower others to accomplish the mission make her especially suited to lead the North Central Montana District. Her depth and breadth of experience will be a strong addition to the Montana/Dakotas leadership team."

Kaiser said she looks forward to her new role with the BLM.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity to live and work in new Montana communities, to meet new people and return to work for the BLM. I know there is a tremendous amount of activity in the NCMD, as well as associated opportunities and concerns," said Kaiser. "I'm ready to learn and work with all the great people who care about our public lands. My family and I share that love for the land, both in our chosen professions and during our personal time. We enjoy skiing, hiking, boating, hunting and fishing, and can't wait to explore some new country."

Born and raised in Montana, Kaiser graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor of Science in forest resource management/wildlife biology and a master's degree in public administration.

The BLM's North Central Montana District includes more than 3 million surface acres and nearly 8 million acres of mineral estate. It stretches along the Canadian border almost 350 miles, from the Blackfeet to the Fort Peck Indian reservations. From the Canadian border, it spans south across the Missouri River Breaks into the island mountain ranges of central Montana near Lewistown. The district team supports a vast suite of BLM programs, including fire/fuels management and a Division of Oil & Gas which serves both NCMD and Western Montana District.