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TNF's Jonathan Cook-Fisher receives District Ranger of the Year
The United States Forest Service has awarded Jonathan Cook-Fisher the 2022 Regional Forester Honor Award for District Ranger of the Year. Cook-Fisher has been recognized for proactive planning,
partnership work and collaboration that in turn has accelerated public service and forest restoration projects in the Truckee area of the Tahoe National Forest. Cook-Fisher attributes the acknowledgement to a passionate staff and vital partners that help move the district’s work forward.
“Any recognition I receive is because of our collective efforts,” said Cook-Fisher. “The Truckee staff, community, nonprofits and other government organizations continue to step up to develop solutions for both public services and resource management. Together we have a shared vision for creating and fostering the Truckee experience.”
Celebrating his 20th year of service with the Forest Service, Cook-Fisher joined the Tahoe National Forest as Truckee River District Ranger in 2019. After decades of experience within the agency and having worked in the Truckee-Tahoe region for years, he recognizes the power in partnerships and has a holistic understanding of Truckee-Tahoe’s needs and how the forest plays a part in key areas.
Affordable Housing
Cook-Fisher has led several alternative approaches to support the need for affordable housing for Forest Service and partner staff, recognizing their vital role in the region’s economy. The Truckee Ranger District piloted a program with Palisades Tahoe, offering a Forest Service campground to the resort’s seasonal employees who found difficulty in finding available and affordable housing in reasonable proximity to the resort. The Truckee Ranger District also created a USFS seasonal employee campground for recreation staff.
Cook-Fisher is advancing a multi-party initiative that would lease National Forest System land to the local government, which would then facilitate construction of workforce housing for the community, including set aside units for potential Forest Service employees.
Mobility and Connectivity
As an advocate for trail mobility and connectivity, Cook-Fisher envisions a robust trail system connecting areas that people love to visit, but currently lack access. Working with partners, Cook-Fisher hopes to continue to develop new trails and address Truckee’s need for additional trailheads at key locations along with appropriate parking infrastructure. His vision is to create a cohesive recreational experience for our shared visitors across different jurisdictions. Key locations include Verdi Ridge, Van Norden Meadow, Castle Valley and Sagehen Creek.
He also recently led the agency in designating nonmotorized trails for Class 1 e-bike use, marking Tahoe National Forest as the first in the nation.
Forest Health
Notably, Cook-Fisher has helped lead the establishment of the Middle Truckee River Forest Partnership which is a diverse, multi-party collaborative to restore forests and protect communities and infrastructure in the Middle Truckee River watershed. This partnership aims to protect water resources for the Truckee region and Reno, Nev.
Since 2019, he has completed analysis on more than 12,000 acres of National Forest System lands to undertake vegetation management actions to protect key community assets and resources in the Truckee area. These projects are already beginning implementation and providing enhanced community protection from wildfire including the Highway 89 north and south, Alder Creek and Stampede Reservoir.
“The passion from partners and staff are directly linked to the success of Truckee,” said Cook-Fisher. "Together we go far when we connect federal government, nonprofits, local government and other partners who see the importance of working together toward common goals.”
About the Award
The Regional Forester Honor Awards are held annually across all regions and recognize exemplary Forest Service programs and individuals. Tahoe National Forest lies in the Pacific Southwest Region of the USFS which manages 20 million acres of National Forest land in California and assists the state and private forest landowners in California, Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands.