Alum Spotlight: Tyson Finnicum

Tyson Finnicum, Planning and Environmental Specialist, Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming

Communications and Environment and Natural Resources graduate from the University of Wyoming, ’12

Tyson Finnicum has to know a little of everything—mapping, environmental law, outreach, and much more—for his job managing Wyoming public lands. He grew up in a ranching and coal mining family in southeast Montana and eastern Wyoming. As a student at the University of Wyoming, he participated in a Bureau of Land Management internship program doing public relations work in Rock Springs. In 2012, he graduated with a dual degree in communications and ENR, and the BLM Wyoming state office hired him full time. Eventually he moved into the renewable energy coordination office where he worked on environmental analysis for Chokecherry/Sierra Madre, a large wind energy facility planned for south central Wyoming. Last November his career took another step when he moved into the BLM’s planning and NEPA office. There he is working on 17 environmental impact statements, including one for statewide sage grouse management on BLM and Forest Service lands. His favorite thing about his job is collaborating with staff from other agencies, local governments, and nongovernmental organizations to craft solutions for resource management.

“The ENR program helps you think differently, in the big picture, especially when it comes to involving stakeholders. That’s my job, to be the big picture person. The Haub School helped build that well-roundedness.”