PRESCOTT, AZ - The Prescott National Forest announces the selection of Sarah Clawson as the new Forest Supervisor, effective December 31, 2023.

Clawson currently serves as the District Ranger for the Bradshaw and Chino Valley Ranger Districts of the Prescott National Forest. These districts, which encompass a wide range of ecosystems and host a variety of public uses, are known for their high complexity Wildland Urban Interface, partnership-driven efforts in fire and hazardous fuels management, developed and dispersed cross-boundary recreation, active cattle grazing, and collaborative ecological restoration efforts across a diversity of habitats and watersheds.

Clawson has been a line officer for nearly 12 years and has served in her current District Ranger position for nine years. Prior to that, she served as Deputy District Ranger for the Mammoth and Mono Lake Districts of the Inyo National Forest, in the Eastern Sierras of California. Sarah has recently served in Acting Inyo National Forest Supervisor in Bishop, CA and Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor of the Coronado National Forest in Tucson, AZ.

Clawson joined the Forest Service in 2010 as a Program Specialist for the Pacific Southwest Region’s Fire and Aviation Management program, where she led the collaborative development of a Fuels Management Strategy for the 18 National Forests in California. She has served on the National Line Officer Team for Fire as a member of the National Fire Leadership Council since 2015, and currently serves as a cadre member on several national training efforts focused on risk management leadership competencies.

Clawson received a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan, where she focused on Environmental Policy & Planning and Conservation Biology. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to her Forest Service career, she spent ten years in the private industry, including the international travel industry and working in the field of fine art. Clawson currently resides in Chino Valley, AZ with her husband, and they have lots of extended family across the quad city area. In her free time, she enjoys road cycling, hiking, playing music with friends, and spending time with family.

“Since moving to the greater Prescott area in late 2014, I have truly fallen in love with the landscape and the communities served by the Prescott National Forest. It has been a true pleasure serving the public in my current role, and I am ever grateful for the excellent relationships I’ve been able to develop with partners, community leaders, and elected officials across the region. It’s an honor and a privilege to be selected as the next Prescott National Forest Supervisor, and I look forward to continuing to serve our communities while stewarding the public lands entrusted to the Prescott National Forest,” said Clawson.

Clawson is replacing Dale Deiter who is retiring after 35 years with the Forest Service.