The Public Lands Foundation grants to Mike Ferguson its Lifetime Service Award for excellence in public land management.  The Foundation provides this award to deserving BLM employees who have perpetuated and enhanced the proud tradition of public service.

Mike grew up in California and received a degree in wildlife management from Humboldt State University.  He began his career as a Forestry Technician for the BLM in 1975 in Medford, Oregon, then progressed rapidly through wildlife positions in Arizona and California.  As the Bishop California Area Manager, Mike oversaw the development of that area’s Resource Management Plan.  Then moving to Washington, D.C., Mike held various positions including Budget Program Analyst, EIS Team Lead for Range Reform, and Deputy Assistant Director for Resource Use and Protection.

Returning to the field, Mike served as the Deputy State Director for Resources for Arizona where he was recognized for his leadership in establishing the Southwest Strategy, a coalition of 13 Federal executives.  After a stint as Associate State Director in Idaho, Mike returned to Washington, D.C. to serve as the BLM Budget Officer and then the Assistant Director for Business and Fiscal Resources.  These latter positions required persistence and professionalism as Mike faced the difficult task of implementing the Bureau’s complex Financial Business Management System.

Throughout his 34-year career with the BLM, Mike actively mentored younger employees, and his dedication to this effort continued following his retirement in 2009.  He has designed, organized and hosted four very successful Student Congresses for the PLF; chaired and participated in several PLF committees, and has been very active in other PLF functions.

The Public Lands Foundation is honored to recognize Mike Ferguson with this Lifetime Service Award, presented September 12, 2019 at the PLF’s annual meeting in Reno, Nevada.

September 12, 2019