Shasta Trinity National Forest Employees Receive Awards for Engaging Youth and Partners

Last week, Assistant Recreation Officer Marcus Nova accepted the award for “Engaging Youth” and the Trinity Divide Land Acquisition Team accepted the award for “Partnership of the Year” during the 2019 Region 5 Regional Forester Honor Awards.

Marcus works on the Shasta McCloud Management Unit (SMMU) and manages the Youth Conservation Crews (YCC) program each summer. The YCC is a youth employment program that provides an opportunity for young men and women of diverse backgrounds to learn new skills while participating in outdoor work projects that preserve National Forest System land and will benefit the local area for decades to come. The SMMU has sponsored the YCC program for 45 years with Marcus managing the program the last ten years.  Marcus also began his career as a YCC member himself which makes this award a particularly special honor.

Several forest and regional office employees were also recognized as part of the “Partnership of the Year” award for the agreement between the Forest Service, The Trust for Public Land (TPL), Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) and Michigan-California Timber Company (MCTC). This partnership led to the public acquisition of over 10,000 acres along the spectacular Trinity Divide and 17 miles of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail earlier this year.

“These accomplishments are indicative of the dedication, hard work, and commitment of all our employees,” said Regional Forester Randy Moore. “We pay special tribute to those who demonstrated outstanding professionalism and exemplary leadership in advancing the Forest Service mission.”

“We are immensely proud of Marcus leading the YCC Crew and the employees assisting with the Trinity Divide land exchange,” said Forest Supervisor Scott Russell.  “We sincerely appreciate their outstanding work and many contributions to the forest for both our current and future generations.”