DOLORES - Joey Pruitt is the new Dolores RD Range Conservationist handling grazing allotments, permits and improvements, rangeland health and noxious and invasive weed inventories.
Pruitt worked as a wildland firefighter on the Santa Fe and Carson National Forests from 2002 to 2011 on a Type 6 and Type 3 engine, and on a district hand crew. On the Jicarilla RD, he also helped with rangeland monitoring and inventory, and worked with the district's wild horse and burro program.
In 2012, Pruitt became range conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Las Vegas, N.M.
Pruitt holds a bachelor's degree in range science from New Mexico State University. He enjoys hunting, fishing and playing golf, and used to team rope and hopes to get back into that again someday.
"I am enjoying my new position and learning a lot," Pruitt says. "I look forward to the opportunities to continue to learn and develop as a sound and proficient Range Con."
Bryce Paul has moved from Dolores RD travel management to operations and maintenance of the district's developed recreation program, which includes McPhee Reservoir, 12 campgrounds and many day-use sites, boat ramps, dispersed recreation sites and other facilities.
Paul started his federal career in 2002 as a seasonal BLM firefighter in Dolores. In 2008, he became assistant engine captain for the San Juan National Forest. In 2011, he moved to Region 3 as engine captain on the Gila National Forest.
Between fire seasons 2003 to 2005, Paul worked for C.E. Powers Construction. Between fire seasons 2006 to 2008, he worked for Jacobs Field Services North America, and for the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office Emergency Operations.
Paul holds a Structural Firefighter 1 certificate from San Juan Basin Technical School and graduated from Heavy Equipment Operators School in Eugene, Oregon.
He and wife, Jen, have a son, Matthew 13; and three girls; Grace, 9, Bryley, 5, and Amelia, 9 months. They enjoy camping, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding.
"I look forward to working to maintain and improve our world-class recreation areas," Paul says.
