Division of Forestry Awards Highest Accolade to Kacey KC, Recognizing Exemplary Service.

Carson City, NV -- On Friday, February 20, the Nevada Division of Forestry awarded its highest recognition – The Stewardship Excellence Award -- to State Forester Firewarden Kacey KC, in acknowledgement of her exemplary service and profound achievements that revolutionized and enhanced the agency’s operational scale and efficiency.  This was also the final day of her 23-year career with the agency. KC leaves NDF to become the new Oregon State Forester and Director of the Oregon Department of Forestry

Acting State Forester Firewarden Ryan Shane (left) presents Kacey KC with Stewardship Excellence Award

In a career spanning nearly 25 years, KC promoted from seasonal Conservation Aid at the Washoe State Nursery to the highest position at NDF. Under her leadership, the agency made significant strides to strengthen Nevada’s natural resource management and fire response capabilities. Accomplishments during her tenure include the establishment of Statewide Fire and Fuels contract, adoption of NDF’s first strategic plan, the establishment of four new wildland Type 2IA fire crews, capable of both immediate response and sustained suppression on wildfires, and the signing of Nevada’s Shared Stewardship Agreement, a state-federal partnership focusing on collaborative wildfire mitigation in Nevada’s most at-risk areas. Her leadership also resulted in the greatest amount of acreage treated by the agency in a single year (10,000+ acres) and record appropriations and grants for the agency to sustain wildfire and natural resource management operations by the Division and its partners.

KC’s efforts have also helped shape the national conversation about forestry and wildland fire management. As president of the National Association of State Foresters, she worked to strengthen national partnerships and addressing workforce challenges. She was also appointed as the State Forestry representative on the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission where the 50-member board unanimously proposed 148 recommendations to Congress to address the wildfire crisis across the nation. Currently, she represents state forestry agencies on the Arbor Day Foundation board, a position she has held since 2024.

NDF staff and leadership extends heartfelt thanks to Kacey KC. Best wishes for the next phase of an already extraordinary career.