From oilfields to greenways: Two BLM officers are making a difference where it matters most

From organized oil theft operations in the southwest to long-term illegal occupancy and environmental damage in northern California, law enforcement professionals across the Bureau of Land Management tackle some of the toughest challenges facing public lands today. The 2025 Special Agent and Ranger of the Year honorees represent the kind of leadership, persistence, and public service that defines BLM law enforcement at its best.

In New Mexico and Texas, Pecos District Special Agent Trent Boone built a reputation for taking on difficult, high-stakes investigations and seeing them through. In 2025, his work targeted major criminal activity impacting public lands including crude oil theft operations, firearms violations, and threats against federal employees. Through steady leadership and close coordination with federal, state, and local partners, Agent Boone helped dismantle large-scale theft networks tied to millions of dollars in losses, protecting both industry resources and American taxpayers.

Meanwhile in northern California, Redding Field Office Ranger Michael Doll faced a very different challenge on the ground. At the Clear Creek Greenway, years of illegal encampments, drug activity, and environmental degradation had created complex public safety and resource issues that demanded more than traditional enforcement alone. Ranger Doll helped lead a coordinated multi-agency effort focused not just on enforcement but on restoring the land itself. The results included dozens of arrests, the removal of more than 115,000 pounds of debris and hazardous waste, and meaningful reductions in ongoing criminal activity in the area.

Though their assignments looked different, both officers demonstrated the same core qualities: tenacity, professionalism, and a commitment to protecting public lands and the people who use them. Their work reflects the broader mission carried out every day by BLM law enforcement professionals across the country—solving problems, building partnerships, and making a lasting impact in the communities and landscapes they serve.