Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters and Visitor Services Moving to Fort Vancouver NHS in March

News Release Date: February 4, 2016

Contact: Gifford Pinchot National Forest, [phone]

Contact: Tracy Fortmann, Superintendent, [phone]

 Gifford Pinchot National Forest headquarters will be moving this spring to the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site campus near downtown Vancouver. Beginning March 1, forest visitor services will close their current location and re-open with the National Park Service at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Visitor Center. The visitor center, located at 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., was recently remodeled and re-opened in November.

By partnering with the National Park Service, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will be able to reach more visitors and provide enhanced customer service through extended hours. Visitors can plan trips to the forest, purchase federal recreation passes, and explore the national park from the same location.

"This is a great opportunity to provide a joint presence with the National Park Service," stated Gifford Pinchot National Forest Supervisor Gina Owens. "We are excited to be a part of the Fort Vancouver campus and look forward to serving our public in a new location."

"We welcome the employees of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest to Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and look forward to working alongside with them at the Visitor Center," added Fort Vancouver Superintendent Tracy Fortmann. "Together we will be able to provide a convenient, one-stop Visitor Center operation serving the public. It will be wonderful having our sister agency here with us in this national park!"

Later in the year, the entire forest headquarters office will relocate to one of the historic infantry barracks buildings on the site. The renovation of the 1906-1907 building is scheduled to be completed in the fall. During construction this spring and summer, forest employees will be in temporary quarters on the Fort Vancouver campus.