Rich Schwab selected as NPS Wildland Fire Science and Ecology program lead

News Release Date: December 2, 2021

Contact:Tina Boehle, 2083875875

Richard "Rich" Schwab, National Park Service (NPS) burned area coordinator, has been named as the program lead for NPS Wildland Fire Science and Ecology. Rich fills the position left vacant in March 2021, when Nate Benson retired.

Rich began his federal career in 1981 working for the USDA Forest Service on the Nez Perce National Forest in Idaho. From there, he moved to the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), where he held multiple positions, initially in the Southwest, before moving to Boise as the bureau's national wildfire rehabilitation coordinator. Rich accepted his current position with the NPS in 2005 and has provided significant leadership to the NPS's post-fire programs since then. Rich is a past chair of the National Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Coordinators and has extensive experience as an emergency response team leader and in coordinating BAER teams.

Rich has strong ties across the NPS, both within the wildland fire and resource management communities, as well as with leadership in multiple parks. These relationships have been crucial in integrating fire and fuels management in the NPS natural and cultural resource mission. Rich has the ability to build strong relationships allowing him to engage on a personal level. "Rich is results driven, customer focused, and a problem solver. I'm excited to have him as the Wildland Fire Science and Ecology program leader as we embark on the unique opportunities placed in front of us by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," said Chad Fisher, NPS Wildland Fire Branch Chief.

Rich has served two details as the Wildland Fire Science and Ecology program leader and is uniquely situated to step in and oversee the program, which includes fire ecology, post-fire programs, smoke management, two National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) branch coordinators, and a fire application specialist in the Wildland Fire Management Research, Development & Application (RD&A) program.

Rich and his wife Bev have two adult children. Bev is a regional forester with the BIA and former senior forester in Washington D.C. Kinsey just completed her first season with the NPS at Lowell National Historical Park, and Torrey is a third-year engineering student at Virginia Tech University. They all enjoy taking their two dogs on adventures in the national parks. Rich will begin his new position on Dec. 4 and he and his wife will relocate to Boise in 2022.