MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Gar Abbas will serve as the Mendocino National Forest supervisor in Willows starting Monday, March 19.

Abbas comes to the Mendocino from the Cowlitz Valley district of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington where he is the district ranger.

“I’m looking forward to contributing to the work being done by Mendocino National Forest employees and neighboring communities to improve forest health and enhance stewardship opportunities,” Abbas said.

He will hold the forest supervisor position until Ann Carlson returns from a temporary assignment on the Sequoia National Forest.

Abbas began his Forest Service career as a volunteer in 1994 and has since gained experience as a district ranger on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and deputy forest supervisor/ area manager for the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area.

He has experience as a fish and wildlife biologist as well as minerals and special uses administrator.

Abbas earned bachelor and master of science degrees in Oregon focused on fish and wildlife ecology.

He previously worked on the San Bernardino and Klamath national forests and says he is excited to be returning to California.

The Abbas family enjoys the outdoors, especially alpine skiing in the winter, a wide variety of water sports in the summer and hiking and backcountry camping trips.