BLM California selects Matthew Lohr as the new El Centro Field Manager
Organization
BLM Office:
Media Contact:
EL CENTRO, Calif. – The Bureau of Land Management welcomes Matthew Lohr as the new El Centro Field Manager. Lohr will oversee the management of 1.4 million acres of public lands in Imperial and San Diego counties. Lohr started his position on Jan. 29 and succeeds Michael Ryan Chatterton, who vacated the position in 2022.
“We are thrilled to have Matt lead the El Centro Field Office,” Shelly Lynch, California Desert District Manager said. “He brings years of experience working across various levels of government and his previous leadership roles will help him manage the many issues and programs within the field office.”
“I’m excited to join the BLM and work through the unique challenges of managing public land for multiple uses,” Matthew Lohr said.
Lohr has more than 25 years of experience in city, county, special district, and state government. Lohr joins the BLM from California State Parks where he served as sector superintendent. His previous roles also include parks and recreation management and supervision for the city of Riverside, city of Newport Beach, and city of Ceres and parks superintendent for Riverside County Regional Parks & Open Space. He has experience with interpretive services and park maintenance, managing park rangers, collaborating with communities, and managing off-highway vehicle programs. Lohr holds a bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation administration from California State University, Chico, and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, San Bernadino.
Lohr is an Imperial Valley native from Brawley and is returning to his roots and reuniting with family in the area. In his personal time, he enjoys swimming, hiking, traveling, and volunteering.
The El Centro Field Office has an active recreation program including the popular Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area, the largest mass of sand dunes in North America. The field office also has several long-term visitor areas, Tumco Historic Mine, segments of the Juan Bautista de Anza Historic Trail and Pacific Crest Trail; and 12 wilderness areas. For more information visit: https://www.blm.gov/office/el-centro-field-office.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.