PLACERVILLE, Calif. – The Eldorado National Forest welcomes back Jeff Marsolais, who will begin serving as the Eldorado’s new forest supervisor on June 22. For the past 5 years, Jeff has been the forest supervisor on the neighboring Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU), where he has served in several positions since 2010. Jeff worked on the Eldorado National Forest early in his career and is excited to return.
“While I was assigned to the Lake Tahoe Basin, we expanded collaboration with communities and partners around the lake through large scale, cross-boundary partnerships like the Lake Tahoe West Landscape Restoration Project and State Route 89 Recreation Corridor Plan,” Marsolais reflected. “I feel lucky to have worked with so many dedicated stakeholders, environmental leaders, public agencies, and amazing employees.”
During his tenure at LTBMU, Jeff also helped establish the Blue Waters Exchange, which brought together students from two USDA Forest Service outreach programs– the Generation Green youth conservation corps in California, and Kupu, a youth conservation program in the Hawaiian Islands. The opportunity to learn about different ecosystems and cultures broadened students’ understanding of the ecological threats in both states and allowed them to develop their environmental leadership skills.
“Inspiring the next generation to sustain our environment is something I want to do a lot more of,” Jeff said.
Regarding his new position, he said, “I’m looking forward to new challenges on the Eldorado where natural resources shaped the course of history during the gold rush, and continue to have a vital role socially and economically. The timber, water, recreation and special uses on the Eldorado National Forest provide so many benefits to so many people. The forest is incredibly diverse, and rich in multi-cultural heritage.”
Jeff is taking the helm from Acting Forest Supervisor Liz Berger, who has been leading the forest since Laurence Crabtree retired in early January. Jeff is arriving after a recent assignment as Acting National Director of Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Resources for the Washington Office.
“As our shared stewardship strategy continues to evolve in California, we need innovative leaders like Jeff to help forge news ways of accomplishing our conservation mission,” said Regional Forester Randy Moore. “This means working across boundaries with many different organizations, and sometimes making difficult decisions. Balancing diverse interests and creating resilient ecosystems is a big job on all of our national forests.”
Prior to working on the Lake Tahoe Basin, Jeff worked on seven other national forests in California and Nevada and also worked for the Bureau Land Management. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Natural Resources and Recreation Planning and a Master’s of Science in Natural Resources from Humboldt State University. Jeff, along with wife Jennifer and daughter Emily, have lived in El Dorado County for nearly 20 years.
