Percy D. Hanson

Percy D. Hanson was a Forester.

Percy “Pete” Hanson was born in 1901 in New Brunswick, Canada. He graduated from the University of California Forestry School in 1924, and spent the following year at that institution as Associate Professor in Forestry. He joined the Forest Service in 1926 and spent the next 18 years in the California region.

In 1935, Hanson became the Forest Supervisor of the Lassen National Forest . From 1938 to 1940, he headed the forest fire replanning project for Region 5, responsible for setting up fire prevention and suppression plans. He returned to the Lassen as Forest Supervisor a short time and then became Assistant Regional Forester in charge of Timber Management until his promotion to Regional Forester of Region 1 in Missoula, Montana. In 1956, Hanson transferred to Juneau, Alaska, to become Regional

Forester in the Alaska Region. Hanson continued the process of moving from forest protection to forest management. New mills were established and timber production increased. Hanson had funds for infrastructure improvement. New facilities, including ranger stations and warehouses, replaced substandard units which were torn down. Portage Glacier Highway, Hope Road, Sitka-Henry Cove Road,

Mitkof Highway, and roads in Yakutat were finally built. Cabins and trails were built for hunters. Recreational planning was emphasized, and the Visitor Information Center and nature trails at Mendenhall Glacier were constructed. Hanson saw Alaska become the 49th state in 1959, and this increased the need for improved cooperation between the state and federal agencies.

Hanson passed away in 1988.