The Bureau of Land Management has named a new field manager for the Grand Junction Field Office.

Kate Stevens has 12 years of experience with the BLM.

She worked for 8 years in the Montana state offices before she moved to Colorado in 2006.

In Montana she focused on issues such as planning, energy, and the environment, as well as issues surrounding the sage-grouse.

She worked as the manager for the McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area before being named the new field manager in Grand Junction.

"It's going to be a fun and exciting challenge," Stevens told KJCT.  "And personally I'm really excited to live near all these recreation resources. Both my husband and I are members of the community and have lived here for four years, and we really love all the hiking and biking and four wheel driving opportunities that are presented here from a recreation stand point, so really happy to be here."

Stevens also says she's really excited to interact with the public and hear their thoughts and visions for how public lands should be managed.