Leadership
Guiding a Legacy of Stewardship
Our leadership team is committed to managing this expansive landscape with a focus on sustainability, collaboration, and community engagement. From wildfire resilience to tribal partnerships, we strive to preserve the forest’s ecological and cultural richness for all who call it home or come to explore.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Forest Supervisor: Mel Bolling
As Forest Supervisor, Mel Bolling leads the Caribou-Targhee National Forest with a vision rooted in stewardship and innovation. Based at the Supervisor’s Office in Idaho Falls, Mel oversees operations across seven ranger districts, guiding efforts to balance recreation, conservation, and resource management. Under Mel’s leadership, we’re ensuring the forest remains a thriving natural and cultural treasure.
District Rangers
Our seven ranger districts—Ashton/Island Park, Dubois, Montpelier, Palisades, Soda Springs, Teton Basin, and Westside—are led by dedicated District Rangers who manage local operations and connect with the communities and visitors who rely on the forest:
- Ashton/Island Park Ranger District: Jessica Taylor
Leading the northern gateway near Yellowstone, Jessica oversees recreation hotspots like Mesa Falls and Big Springs, ensuring trails, campgrounds, and wildlife habitats thrive in this 700,000-acre district. - Dubois Ranger District: Blake Dory
From Diamond Peak to the Centennial Mountains, Blake manages over 460,000 acres, focusing on trails, grazing, and fuels reduction to keep this rugged landscape resilient. - Montpelier Ranger District: Mike Duncan
Spanning parts of the Cache and Caribou-Targhee forests, Mike stewards recreation and range management across 400,000+ acres, including historic sites like Caribou City. - Palisades Ranger District: Trinity Bugger
Along the Snake River and Palisades Reservoir, Trinity balances booming recreation with conservation, protecting wildlife while maintaining access to trails and campgrounds. - Soda Springs Ranger District: Tina Robison
In the phosphate-rich southeast, Tina manages the complex interplay of mining and conservation across 400,000 acres, ensuring sustainable phosphate extraction supports local economies while protecting watersheds and wildlife. - Teton Basin Ranger District: Jay Pence
Nestled in the Teton Valley, Jay leads efforts in recreation and habitat restoration, managing the district’s move to its new Driggs office (opened January 2025) to better serve the community. - Westside Ranger District and Curlew Grassland: Chris Colt (Acting)
From Pocatello to the Curlew National Grassland, Kim oversees diverse recreation and grazing lands, ensuring year-round opportunities while protecting sagebrush ecosystems.
Our Commitment to Collaboration
Our leadership is driven by a collective mission: to safeguard the Caribou-Targhee National Forest as a thriving resource for all. We partner closely with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and other Indigenous nations, weaving their traditional ecological knowledge into projects like prescribed burns, watershed restoration, and cultural site protection. Beyond tribal collaboration, we work hand-in-hand with a diverse network of partners—including state agencies like the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, federal entities such as the Bureau of Land Management, local counties, conservation groups like The Nature Conservancy, and community stakeholders. Together, we tackle challenges like wildfire risk, habitat restoration, and sustainable recreation, ensuring the forest remains a vibrant hub of biodiversity, culture, and opportunity for future generations.
Contact Us
Questions or ideas? Reach out to Mel Bolling and the leadership team at the Supervisor’s Office in Idaho Falls at (208) 557-5900 or contact your local ranger district:
- Ashton/Island Park: (208) 652-7442
- Dubois: (208) 374-5422
- Montpelier: (208) 847-0375
- Palisades: (208) 523-1412
- Soda Springs: (208) 547-4356
- Teton Basin: (208) 354-2312
- Westside: (208) 236-7500
Together, we’re shaping the future of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.