Forest Service’s Upchurch promoted, reassigned to Arizona

Randy Moore, Regional Forester of the Pacific Southwest Region of the Forest Service, announced Wednesday that Inyo National Forest Supervisor Jim Upchurch has been promoted to the Forest Supervisor position of  the Coronado National Forest headquartered in Tucson, Ariz. Upchurch arrived on the Inyo National Forest in October 2007, after previously serving in Washington,  D.C.

During his three years on the INF, Upchurch has overseen the completion of the Forest Motorized Travel Management project, the expansion of collaborative efforts with a variety of stakeholders, the implementation of new Congressional-designated wilderness areas, and an increase in capacity for the Forest through the further development of partnerships and cooperative work with other agencies, such as Bureau of Land Management and the National Parks Service.

“Although I am excited to take on new responsibilities and opportunities, it will be difficult to leave such a beautiful area that has so many people who care about the stewardship of their public lands,” Upchurch stated. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in the Eastern Sierra and will always value the friendships and great memories of  leading such an innovative and productive national forest.”

Upchurch’s report date to the Coronado National Forest is Oct. 11. No permanent replacement or Acting Forest Supervisor has been named at this time. –Press Release