New ranger selected for Mad River District

From a U.S. Forest Service press release:

Ted McArthur, forest supervisor for the Six Rivers National Forest, announced on Tuesday the selection of Kristen Lark as the district ranger for the Mad River Ranger District.

“I’m excited to keep Kristen’s forestry and leadership skills here on the Six Rivers,” said McArthur. “These skills will prove invaluable as we move forward with our collaborative projects to reduce hazardous fuels across the forest.”

Lark has been on the Six Rivers National Forest since 2010, first as the silviculturist for the Lower Trinity Ranger District, and most recently as the timber management forester for the Mad River Ranger District. This is her second tenure on the Six Rivers, having previously worked as a forestry technician for eight years on the Lower Trinity Ranger District until 1999.

Lark has also been a forester on the San Bernardino National Forest, a project manager for ACT 2 Enterprise Team, and a forester/ GIS analyst for Region 5 Sierran Province Team.

Lark began her permanent career with the U.S. Forest Service as an assistant fire engine operator on the Klamath National Forest in 1987. Prior experience includes four seasons as a firefighter with Cal Fire in Humboldt County. She

continues to maintain her diverse fire qualifications in logistics, planning and public information, and is currently a Ground Support Unit Leader for NorCal Incident Management Team 1.

“A lifelong career in the Forest Service is a unique and special thing. I have seen this agency work hard to listen, grow and change

to improve our stewardship to people and the land,” said Lark. “Exploring new collaborations, while still honoring our positive traditions, makes me proud to be part of the Forest Service family.”

Lark is a fourth-generation California native who graduated from Humboldt State University with a B.S. in Forestry Resources Science, and completed Master’s degree coursework in Natural Resources Planning and Interpretation. She and her husband, Eric “EJ” Justesen, downhill ski, compete

in bass fishing tournaments and fish the local waters offshore in their boat, Wharf Rat. Kristen is a waterfowl hunter and a member of California Waterfowl Association. She is also a proud U.S. Army mom who enjoys spending time with her blended family of five sons and one daughter-in-law.

Lark begins her new assignment on March 29. She fills a vacancy left open when District Ranger Dan Dill died following a brief illness in September 2019.