Honored, humbled and excited — Townsend’s newest ranger
Author: Eliza McLaughlin - Staff Reporter
Honored, humbled and excited — Townsend’s newest ranger Eliza McLaughlin - Staff Reporter Chatter can once again be heard from inside the currently quiet U.S. Forest Service Townsend Ranger District office as Aaron Weber — the new district ranger — settles into his latest role before the office buzzes to life this summer.
“We are excited to have Aaron joining our leadership team,” said Forest Supervisor Emily Platt. “His extensive work developing partnerships through the US Fish and Wildlife Service will make him an asset to the district, Forest and local communities.”
Prior to moving to Townsend, Webber spent 7.5 years in Bethel, Alaska working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge as the biologist in charge of managing the muskox population. He’s also worked in various capacities for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in New Mexico and Utah, gathering 15 years of federal work experience along the way.
Webber originates from Grand Junction, Colorado, but claims to hail from Idaho Falls — where his relatives currently live.
Accepting the position in Townsend fulfilled two of Webber’s goals: living closer to family and serving in a wildlife management position.
“Ultimately, I always wanted to get to the management level of some kind of natural resources organization, so right now, I’m actually there,” he said.
As Townsend’s District Ranger, a role that he assumed in January, Webber oversees the administration of 300,000 acres, spread across Broadwater, Jefferson and Meagher counties. Before developing any goals for the expansive district, Webber plans to focus on learning the ropes.
“I’m still trying to figure out my email,” Webber laughed.
To do so, he has set personal goals of meeting different people and forming new partnerships as part of his “extensive learning curve” in the first year.
Throughout the process, Webber hopes to share his love for the outdoors with others, saying that everyone is welcome in the forest.
“The forest has a lot of opportunities to do a lot of different things, and my goal is to make it so that as many people can recreate and do as many different types of activities — within policy — as possible,” he said. “At the same time, do so in a fashion that does not jeopardize the health of the forest.”
Webber’s personal and professional lives share many similarities: trapping, hunting, fishing and using his finds to educate others.
“In my previous jobs, I’ve always had an office or something where I’d have furs or antlers or different wildlife things,” he said. “I always like to have something where [both kids and adults] can grab and pet the furs and ask about them.”
His office at the Townsend Ranger District is no different.
He’s even tried his hand at trying some of said furs himself and contracted his father to do the work for several others. Beyond hunting for furs, Webber and his family learned to “live off the land” while in Alaska.
Webber estimated harvesting approximately 200 salmon and at least one moose every year to help feed his and others’ families.
“If I have to eat another ounce of salmon, it will be too early,” he said, adding that someday he might enjoy it again.
Moving to Townsend also opens several opportunities for his three children, such as extracurricular activities and the county 4-H program.
“I’ve always wanted to raise a chicken,” Webber said.
And while Alaska had many recreational opportunities — such as rafting, snow machining and so much more — Webber said he’s excited to show the everyday conveniences that he grew up with to his children — including cheaper groceries and eating out at restaurants.
As he settles into his new role and new experiences, Webber said the community has been welcoming and leaves him feeling honored, humbled and excited to be in Townsend: “I look forward to serving the community.”
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PhotoCredit: Eliza McLaughlin
Image 1 Caption: Townsend's newest District Ranger Aaron Webber, poses with several of the animal mounts displayed in his office. (Eliza McLaughlin/MT43 News)
