Nevada Division of Forestry Names Acting Forester

The Nevada Division of Forestry is preparing for a leadership transition as State Forester Firewarden Kacey KC departs the agency after more than 20 years to become head of the Oregon Department of Forestry.

DCNR Director James Settelmeyer has appointed Ryan Shane as Acting State Forester. A lifelong Nevadan, Shane brings more than two decades of experience in natural resource and wildfire management, including wildfire risk reduction, forest stewardship planning, and wildland restoration. He has also served in wildfire suppression and prescribed fire operations and worked on Complex Incident Management Teams.

KC began her career with the division in 2002 as a seasonal conservation aid at the Washoe State Tree Nursery and rose through the ranks to lead the agency.

Since 2021, Shane has served as NDF’s Deputy Administrator of Operations, overseeing safety, training, conservation camps, natural resource management, and support services. He also helped implement major legislative funding initiatives focused on wildfire risk reduction and restoration efforts.