Lara Douglas
Lara Douglas is the Acting Regional Director for the Rocky Mountain Region and the Acting Regional Director for the Northwest-Pacific Islands Region at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
As Acting RD for the Rocky Mountain Region, Lara is responsible for the scientific and operational leadership of nine science centers across the states of the Upper Colorado Basin. This workforce is engaged in a broad range of USGS science regionally, nationally, and internationally.
As Acting RD for the Northwest-Pacific Islands Region, Lara provides leadership for the activities at seven science centers that conduct a wide array of interdisciplinary research and monitoring on natural-resource issues in both the Pacific Northwest states and the U.S. Pacific Territories.
Lara joined the USGS in March 2020 as the Center Director for the Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center. The Center uses integrated studies of geology, ecosystems, hydrology, and spatial analysis to understand the Earth's past and present changes.
Lara came to USGS from the Bureau of Land Management, where she served as District Manager for the Boise District for four years. In Boise, she oversaw fire, hazardous fuels, recreation, grazing, wildlife, cultural resources, minerals, forestry, realty, and other programs for BLM-managed lands in southwest Idaho. Prior to that, she served at the headquarters office of the BLM as Deputy Division Chief for Legislative Affairs after five years in the Legislative Affairs and National Conservation Lands divisions.