BLM California welcomes new State Director Joe Stout

SACRAMENTO, Calif.-New State Director Joe Stout has joined the Bureau of Land Management in California. Stout started his new position on August 12.

"It is an honor to return to the BLM California as State Director," Stout said. "I look forward to building upon the important work the Bureau has accomplished here and to grow our partnerships that are so vital to managing public lands and the communities we serve."

As the California State Director, Stout will oversee the management of 15 million acres of public lands and 42 million acres of minerals and energy resources in California, as well as 1.6 million surface acres in northwestern Nevada. These BLM-managed public lands extend across coastal areas, rangelands, forests, high mountains, and deserts making California one of the most diverse states in the nation.

Stout is returning to BLM California, where he previously served for over seven years as the Associate State Director and Acting State Director. Most recently, Stout has served as the Forest Supervisor of the Eldorado National Forest in the Central Sierras of California, overseeing four ranger districts and managing programs in natural resources, fire and aviation, public services, and engineering.

Before his tenure with the United States Forest Service, Stout held leadership positions at all levels of the BLM. At the Bureau's Headquarters, he served as the Acting Chief of Staff for the Director's Office and Division Chief for the Decision Support, Planning, and NEPA programs. At the Regional level, he served as the Acting Associate State Director of BLM Colorado, and at the field level he led a land use plan revision for the Kremmling and Glenwood Springs Field Offices in Colorado.

Stout holds a master's degree in public administration (Environmental Policy, Management, and Law) from the University of Colorado in Denver, and he completed his undergraduate studies in sociology and environmental studies at the State University of New York at Fredonia.

Stout and his family love spending time outdoors, including backpacking, fly fishing and skiing.