SITKA, Alaska (AP) – The incoming Sitka District ranger began his career with the U.S. Forest Service as a volunteer college student in a summer job improving fish habitat on Prince of Wales Island.

“I thought, this is the coolest thing ever,” said Perry Edwards, who will move into the district ranger post on July 28. “I was a kid who played with water.”

Soon afterward he found out about all the career opportunities available with the Forest Service all over the country. He was amazed. “You mean you can get paid to do this? You've got to be kidding me.”

He never looked back, traveling between...