Ryan S. Shane appointed to lead the Nevada Division of Forestry

Ryan S. Shane appointed to lead the Nevada Division of Forestry 

Carson City, Nev. – James Settelmeyer, Director of the Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), announced the appointment of Ryan S. Shane as Nevada’s State Forester Firewarden and Administrator of the Nevada Division of Forestry (NDF). Shane will be the ninth person to lead the agency since its inception in 1957.

The search for the new head of NDF attracted a diverse pool of candidates and included engagement with leaders from the Nevada Fire Chiefs Association and the Battle Born Firefighters Association.

“Ryan Shane is a proven leader who understands the importance of protecting Nevada’s communities, forests and rangelands from the threat of wildfire,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “Under his leadership, Nevada will continue setting the standard for wildfire preparedness and resilient land management.”

“Ryan has spent nearly two decades serving Nevada and protecting our landscapes at the Division,” said Director Settelmeyer. “His experience in forestry, wildfire operations, and partnership-driven land management makes him well-suited to lead the Nevada Division of Forestry.”

A lifelong Nevadan and Carson City native, Shane earned both a bachelor’s degree in forestry and rangeland management and a master’s degree in natural resource and environmental science from the University of Nevada, Reno. He joined NDF as a forester in 2008 after working as an environmental consultant in the private sector. During his time with the agency, he has led projects focused on improving wildfire resilience and forest health across Nevada.

Shane also gained valuable experience in wildfire suppression and prescribed fire operations, earning multiple qualifications and serving on Complex Incident Management Teams.

In 2014, Shane joined NDF’s State Office in Carson City and later served in several leadership roles before being promoted to Deputy Administrator of Operations in 2021. In that role, he helped implement major legislative and federal investments in wildfire risk reduction and landscape restoration, while advancing science-based regulatory modernization.

“I’m honored to serve as Nevada’s State Forester Firewarden,” said Shane. “Building on the strong partnerships already in place, we will continue working across the state to reduce wildfire risk, improve forest and rangeland resilience, and protect Nevada’s communities by strengthening our statewide wildfire preparedness.”

Photo: Ryan S. Shane, Courtesy Nevada Division of Forestry