Justin Kooyman and Daughter Belle

The Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) is pleased to announce the opening of its newest regional office in North Central California, covering the section of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) on the Lassen, Plumas, Tahoe, Eldorado, Humboldt-Toiyabe, and Stanislaus National Forests, the Tahoe Basin Management Unit, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. The office is located in Portola, Calif., just 25 miles from the PCT near the Lake Basin Recreation Area.

The PCTA is also pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Kooyman as the first Regional Representative for North Central California. Justin most recently worked as the Seattle Program Manager for the Student Conservation Association (SCA), managing the Seattle Leadership Conservation Corps, and SCA’s National Conservation Crews in the State of Washington. Prior to that, Justin served as SCA’s Southwest Program Representative. Justin’s work history also includes time spent as a biological science technician for the U.S. Forest Service and as a teacher, naturalist and assistant director for Westminster Woods, an environmental education, residential program working with public schools in California. Justin holds a BA from University of California, Santa Cruz in Environmental Studies.

After leading SCA work crews for seven years, Justin brings a wealth of trail construction, reconstruction and maintenance skills to his new PCTA position. Specifically, in recent years, Justin coordinated and managed SCA’s Western Work Skills Training, designed (with a group of peers) SCA’s Crew Leader Training Curriculum, and annually served as a Work Skills Instructor for crew leaders.

“With the addition of this regional office in North Central California, we’re looking forward to providing a higher level of coordination and involvement to meet the needs of the trail and the trail community in the area,” says PCTA Trail Operations Director Mike Dawson. “From land management decisions, to trail protection issues, to the development of new volunteer resources, to enhanced support of our existing volunteer programs and associated organizations, Justin will be involved in it all.”

Justin began his work with the PCTA this past June. “I feel privileged to be joining a community comprised of many passionate and dedicated people,” says Justin. “And I look forward to connecting with my region and getting to know the trail and landscape on an intimate level. As for the Tahoe Basin specifically, I am thrilled to reconnect to that part of my region as I spent part of my youth living near Tahoe’s south shore.  After only one month in my new role I have already learned a tremendous amount about the PCT, its needs and challenges.

Justin and Tenaya Kooyman

Additionally, I have met wonderful and dedicated Forest Service partner employees and fellow PCTA staff, and I have seen some remarkable sections of trail.”

Joining Justin in their new home in Portola are his wife Tenaya, daughter Belle, and son Cedar. Outside of work, Justin loves being on the trail and spending time in the backcountry hiking and climbing. And, like fellow Regional Representative Ian Nelson, Justin is an avid birder who keeps a sharp eye out for new birds to add to his yard list. Justin also loves playing guitar and is a passionate home brewer and mead maker.   

To reach Justin, send and e-mail to jkooyman@pcta.org, call (530) 414-3422.