Jim Dahlstrom is the new Glacier National Park ranger at Polebridge. He was kind enough to provide us with a biography (see below). Jim will be coming to an NFLA business meeting early in the summer to get acquainted. Welcome Jim!
I began my career with the NPS in 1999 at Rocky Mountain National Park first as a volunteer, then as a backcountry ranger for two seasons before becoming a law enforcement ranger in 2002. I’ve spent time working at Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Pipestone National Monument, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Grand Teton National Park, and most recently was Chief Ranger for the Niobrara National Scenic River in Nebraska.
My wife Christy (also a NPS alumni) and I met at Rocky, and were married in Estes Park. We have an 8 year old son, Gerard, and 6 year old daughter, Medora. We enjoy camping, canoeing, hiking, backpacking, and fishing as a family and are so excited to be coming to the North Fork. If you are around the Ranger Station this summer and you hear someone yelling “Bear!” keep in mind the kids might be playing with our pug.
My emphasis on serving as a NPS ranger has always been to serve the visitor, while protecting the Park’s resources. I have had the pleasure of working in some amazing places and have always found that it is the dedicated individuals in local communities that step up to help take care of our country’s treasures.
I first heard about the North Fork early in my NPS career, as a place of tremendous beauty and genuine rustic character. I knew back then that being able to serve in an area like that would be my idea of heaven. I am humbled at the opportunity to serve this area and one of the crown jewels of the NPS, and look forward to making new friends and helping take care of one of America’s crown jewels.