BLM California selects Matthew Lohr as the new El Centro Field Manager
EL CENTRO – 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 Monday, January 29, and succeeds Michael Ryan Chatterton, who vacated the position in 2022.
According to a Bureau of Land Management press release, Matthew 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.
“We are thrilled to have Matt lead the El Centro Field Office,” Shelly Lynch, California Desert District Manager said in the release. “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 in the release.
Per the release, Lohr’s 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,” the release reads. “In his personal time, he enjoys swimming, hiking, traveling, and volunteering,” it reads.
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 longterm 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.