"Our staff have extensive, diverse experience in all elements of natural resources planning and restoration."
NRS Staff
Our natural resources staff members have over one hundred and fifty combined years of experience, covering all aspects of natural resource planning and restoration. Our reputation with regulatory agency staff has created an atmosphere of cooperation and trust that is very valuable in securing permits and approvals in a timely fashion. We also maintain good working relationships with a variety of funding sources, enabling us to maintain diversity in the types of projects we develop and implement. Click on any of the staff members below to view his or her resume.
Resumes are in Adobe PDF format. Click to download Adobe Acrobat Reader:
Don Allan - Co-Director
Co-Director Don Allan holds NRS’ California landscape contractor license and has worked in watershed restoration since the late 70’s. He joined NRS in 1983 and is currently responsible for overseeing staff focused on watershed projects at NRS while keeping active in estuary enhancement planning and implementation as well as sediment source assessment.
Phone: (707) 269-2063
Email: don@nrsrcaa.org
Jennifer Rice - Co-Director
Co-Director Jennifer Rice has been involved with a variety of trails, active transportation, planning, outreach, and watershed projects at NRS for the last 12 years. Jen loves working with the NRS team and community partners to help divergent groups work together, provide places where everyone is encouraged to get around by their own means, and encourage community stewardship of natural resources.
Phone: (707) 269-2060
Email: jen@nrsrcaa.org
Co-Director Don Allan holds NRS’ California landscape contractor license and has worked in watershed restoration since the late 70’s. He joined NRS in 1983 and is currently responsible for overseeing staff focused on watershed projects at NRS while keeping active in estuary enhancement planning and implementation as well as sediment source assessment.
Phone: (707) 269-2063
Email: don@nrsrcaa.org
Jennifer Rice - Co-Director
Co-Director Jennifer Rice has been involved with a variety of trails, active transportation, planning, outreach, and watershed projects at NRS for the last 12 years. Jen loves working with the NRS team and community partners to help divergent groups work together, provide places where everyone is encouraged to get around by their own means, and encourage community stewardship of natural resources.
Phone: (707) 269-2060
Email: jen@nrsrcaa.org
Craig Benson - Watershed Program Manager
Watershed Program Manager Craig Benson has 23 years of global experience in resource management and is currently leading the Mad River Watershed Assessment and Management Plan, Fay Slough Estuary Restoration, McDaniel Slough Estuary Restoration, and facilitation of the Humboldt Bay Ecosystem-Based Management planning project. Craig is also taking the principal role in landowner outreach in the Elk River and Freshwater Creek watersheds for the Humboldt Bay Watershed Sediment Reduction project.
Phone: (707) 269-2065
Email: craig@nrsrcaa.org
Jan Friedrichsen - Office Supervisor
Office Supervisor Jan Friedrichsen plays a supporting role in most NRS projects, assisting with office and financial logistics. Jan oversees the general ebb and flow of the in-house needs and staff requests. She has 10 years of experience as a contract manager and administrative assistant in the natural resources field.
Phone: (707) 269-2066
Email: jan@nrsrcaa.org
Christopher Turner - Projects Coordinator
Projects Coordinator Chris Turner has been working to plan and build wildland and multiple-use trail and public access projects for nearly 25 years – 13 of those with NRS. Chris enjoys interacting with the landowners, the public, and land management agencies to help everyone get projects done.
Phone: (707) 269-2068
Email: chris@nrsrcaa.org
Tyler Ledwith - Projects Coordinator
Projects Coordinator Tyler Ledwith works with the Watershed Projects Team on sediment source assessment, erosion control, SWPPP, land owner outreach, and stream restoration projects. Tyler has a M.S. in Natural Resources and 20 years experience in this field.
Phone: (707) 269-2058
Email: tyler@nrsrcaa.org
Denise Newman - Senior Planner
Senior Planner Denise Newman has been focused on both interpretation sign design and environmental education programming and outreach for the past six years with NRS. Most recently, she has been working on unified signage for the Hammond Coastal Trail - from kiosk map panels to thematic educational panels.
Phone: (707) 269-2057
Email: denise@nrsrcaa.org
Watershed Program Manager Craig Benson has 23 years of global experience in resource management and is currently leading the Mad River Watershed Assessment and Management Plan, Fay Slough Estuary Restoration, McDaniel Slough Estuary Restoration, and facilitation of the Humboldt Bay Ecosystem-Based Management planning project. Craig is also taking the principal role in landowner outreach in the Elk River and Freshwater Creek watersheds for the Humboldt Bay Watershed Sediment Reduction project.
Phone: (707) 269-2065
Email: craig@nrsrcaa.org
Jan Friedrichsen - Office Supervisor
Office Supervisor Jan Friedrichsen plays a supporting role in most NRS projects, assisting with office and financial logistics. Jan oversees the general ebb and flow of the in-house needs and staff requests. She has 10 years of experience as a contract manager and administrative assistant in the natural resources field.
Phone: (707) 269-2066
Email: jan@nrsrcaa.org
Christopher Turner - Projects Coordinator
Projects Coordinator Chris Turner has been working to plan and build wildland and multiple-use trail and public access projects for nearly 25 years – 13 of those with NRS. Chris enjoys interacting with the landowners, the public, and land management agencies to help everyone get projects done.
Phone: (707) 269-2068
Email: chris@nrsrcaa.org
Tyler Ledwith - Projects Coordinator
Projects Coordinator Tyler Ledwith works with the Watershed Projects Team on sediment source assessment, erosion control, SWPPP, land owner outreach, and stream restoration projects. Tyler has a M.S. in Natural Resources and 20 years experience in this field.
Phone: (707) 269-2058
Email: tyler@nrsrcaa.org
Denise Newman - Senior Planner
Senior Planner Denise Newman has been focused on both interpretation sign design and environmental education programming and outreach for the past six years with NRS. Most recently, she has been working on unified signage for the Hammond Coastal Trail - from kiosk map panels to thematic educational panels.
Phone: (707) 269-2057
Email: denise@nrsrcaa.org
Natalie Arroyo - Planner
Planner Natalie Arroyo is involved in a multitude of projects with NRS, with an emphasis on outreach, education, stormwater, enhancement and planning project components. She is the project lead for the Humboldt Bay Water Quality and Recreation Resource Project and the contact staffperson for inquiries regarding the North Coast Stormwater Coalition's Non-Point Source Pollution Prevention Project.
Phone: (707) 269-2059
Email: natalie@nrsrcaa.org
Chris Lohoefener - Projects Coordinator
Projects Coordinator Chris Lohoefener has been with NRS for five years in two different periods since 2001 and is currently also juggling graduate school in his schedule. Chris is helping BLM develop new informational and interpretive signage for the CA Coastal National Monument, leading a plan for ‘water trails’ around Humboldt Bay, facilitating a street tree planting project in Eureka, and will look at ways to improve coordination of transportation services in the Healthy Rural Roads II project.
Phone: (707) 269-2064
Email: lohoefener@nrsrcaa.org
Projects Coordinator Chris Lohoefener has been with NRS for five years in two different periods since 2001 and is currently also juggling graduate school in his schedule. Chris is helping BLM develop new informational and interpretive signage for the CA Coastal National Monument, leading a plan for ‘water trails’ around Humboldt Bay, facilitating a street tree planting project in Eureka, and will look at ways to improve coordination of transportation services in the Healthy Rural Roads II project.
Phone: (707) 269-2064
Email: lohoefener@nrsrcaa.org
Morguine Sefcik - Senior Planner
Senior Planner Morguine Sefcik has worked on a variety of watershed projects during her five years at NRS. Most recently, Morguine has taken the leading role in developing and implementing NRS’ first stormwater project, the North Coast Stormwater Coalition’s NPS Pollution Prevention Program.
Phone: (707) 269-2057
Email: morguine@nrsrcaa.org
Senior Planner Morguine Sefcik has worked on a variety of watershed projects during her five years at NRS. Most recently, Morguine has taken the leading role in developing and implementing NRS’ first stormwater project, the North Coast Stormwater Coalition’s NPS Pollution Prevention Program.
Phone: (707) 269-2057
Email: morguine@nrsrcaa.org
Noelle Melchizedek - Senior Planner
Planner Noelle Melchizedek is working on three projects at NRS: addressing transportation coordination issues in Humboldt County; providing support for signage work on the Hammond Coastal Trail; and working with the Humboldt Partnership for Active Living. She considers herself fortunate to work for an organization that seeks to positively address and impact her two passions, environmental and social justice.
Phone: (707) 269-2056
Email: noelle@nrsrcaa.org
Planner Noelle Melchizedek is working on three projects at NRS: addressing transportation coordination issues in Humboldt County; providing support for signage work on the Hammond Coastal Trail; and working with the Humboldt Partnership for Active Living. She considers herself fortunate to work for an organization that seeks to positively address and impact her two passions, environmental and social justice.
Phone: (707) 269-2056
Email: noelle@nrsrcaa.org
Steffen Allan - Field Specialist
Field Specialist Steffen Allan has been helping NRS make things happen on the ground for eight years. After having a seasonal focus for most of that time, he’s recently been on a roll working on the Hammond Trail, native revegetation and kiosk construction.
Field Specialist Steffen Allan has been helping NRS make things happen on the ground for eight years. After having a seasonal focus for most of that time, he’s recently been on a roll working on the Hammond Trail, native revegetation and kiosk construction.
Phone: (707) 269-2070
Email: steffen@nrsrcaa.org
Jennifer Weiss - Planning Specialist
For the past 14 years, Jenny Weiss has worked for government and non-profit organizations as a Park Ranger, Interpreter and Education Specialist at some of the most beautiful and interesting places in the Pacific Northwest. She prioritizes living a fun, healthy, and active lifestyle and being a positive role model. Jenny is excited to be part of the NRS team and will be working on Humboldt Partnership for Active Living projects such as Safe Routes to Schools and the Humboldt Healthy Community pledge.
Phone: (707) 269-2062
Email: weiss@nrsrcaa.org
Kevin Wright - Senior Planner
Kevin Wright is a recent transplant from JLA Forestry Consultants with a background in forest management and restoration silviculture. He LOVES active alternatives to driving, has volunteered with Green Wheels for almost 10 years, and has recently worked with the Trails Trust to develop neighborhood connector trails and a Trail Stewardship program. Kevin is thrilled to be here working with a fun, experienced, and dynamic team.
Phone: (707) 269-2072
Email: kevin@nrsrcaa.org
Christopher Escarcega - Planning Specialist
Christopher is a planning specialist working on transportation equity and active living projects. When he's not working on transportation planning, he enjoys tidepooling, hiking, and exploring the Redwood Coast. He's excited to be working at the intersection of public health, social equity, and environmental stewardship.
Phone: (707) 269-2055
Email: escarcega@nrsrcaa.org
Emily Sinkhorn - Planner
Emily Sinkhorn comes to NRS with a background in forestry and ecology and a passion for active transportation. She is working on several projects for NRS including the Humboldt County Coastal Trail Implementation Program and the Humboldt County Rural Transportation and Access Partnership.
Phone: (707) 269-2061
Email: emily@nrsrcaa.org
Debbie Perticara - VISTA Member and Gardens Program Staff
Debbie Perticara is excited to be in Humboldt County sewing the seeds of change with NRS's Community Garden Project. In addition to growing, cooking, sharing, and eating delicious food she enjoys reading, yoga, traveling, and exploring the great outdoors!
Phone: (707) 269-2071