SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. — The U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) has welcomed Jeff Marsolais as Acting Forest Supervisor and Owen Martin as Acting Deputy Forest Supervisor. Both men bring a wealth of land management experience to their details at the LTBMU.
Jeff Marsolais has worked for the Forest Service since the early 1990s and has served on seven different National Forests covering in the Pacific Southwest and Intermountain regions before arriving on the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. Prior to his work with the Forest Service, he worked for the Bureau of Land Management in the Folsom and Arcata field offices.
He has performed a range of duties including Forest Service volunteer, firefighter, river ranger, Forest Staff Officer, and Deputy Forest Supervisor. He has a Bachelors of Science degree in Natural Resources and Recreation Planning and a Masters of Science in Natural Resources from Humboldt State University. Most recently, he comes from the Inyo National Forest where he serves as the Recreation, Lands, and Wilderness Staff Officer.
“I feel fortunate to have this opportunity to serve here in Lake Tahoe,” said Marsolais. “I already see tremendous opportunity to work with the other agencies, local stakeholders and interested public to continue improving conditions in the Lake Tahoe Basin.”
While Marsolais arrived before the holidays, only recently have both positions been filled. Owen Martin has worked for the Forest Service since 1977, beginning as a Hotshot on the Prescott National Forest in Arizona. He has worked in a variety of other positions, including timber management, recreation, Forest Staff Officer and District Ranger in national forests in Arizona and Mississippi. He has a Bachelors of Science degree in Forestry from Northern Arizona University. Most recently, he comes from the Cleveland National Forest, where he serves as the Descanso District Ranger.
The district, while itself rural and undeveloped, is adjacent to San Diego, the second largest city in California, and four miles north of the Mexican border, a location that brings with it multiple challenges.
“During my time on the LTBMU, I plan to use my skills and experience to forge relationships and strengthen communications both among staff and with other agencies and organizations, with the goals of improving our programs and processes to better protect the Lake Tahoe Basin ecosystem,” Martin said.
The Pacific Southwest Regional Office is currently working to fill the two positions permanently.
