CARLOTTA, CA, July 15, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Karla A. Knapek has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mrs. Knapek has carved a distinguished career in environmental science, marked by her current role as a project manager/natural resource specialist for the USDA Forest Service. In this capacity since 2024, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership by spearheading the first project on the Six Rivers National Forest under the nationwide wildfire crisis strategy. Her efforts focus on reducing fuel loading around communities at high risk of wildfires, showcasing her ability to develop and analyze proposals with an interdisciplinary team of scientists. Mrs. Knapek's expertise in wildland soil science, hydrology, agronomic science and forest science is evident in her strategic approach to fire season readiness.

Initially working for the USDA Forest Service from 2012 to 2017 as a hydrologist and certified professional soil scientist for Six Rivers National Forest, Mrs. Knapek honed her soil and water conservation skills. She has also established herself as the managing owner, compliance director, chief financial officer and human resources specialist of Knapek Consulting since 2017. Her consultancy work reflects her deep understanding of environmental systems and commitment to sustainable practices. During this tenure, Mrs. Knapek drafted and reviewed project proposals, contracts and budgets and led the sizing, design and construction management of a 1.5-million-gallon rainwater catchment impoundment and irrigation distribution system. Notably, she also secured $180,000 in grant funding for water conservation projects in 2022.

Mrs. Knapek's previous tenure at Winzler & Kelly Consulting Engineers (GHD Inc.) from 2006 to 2011 as an environmental scientist also helped solidify her reputation in the field. This role came after serving as a physical science technician at Redwood National and State Parks in 2006, where she conducted stream surveys of Redwood Creek, amongst the world's tallest trees. Mrs. Knapek also garnered experience as a watershed technician at Pacific Lumber Company/Scotia Pacific, gaining valuable experience in watershed management from 2005 to 2006. Earlier appointments to her credit included serving as a work-study intern and restoration management assistant at Jacoby Creek Land Trust from 2005 to 2006, a volunteer coordinator for McKinleyville Land Trust from 2004 to 2005, and a park aide at Grizzly Creek Redwood State Park in 2004.

To prepare for her career, Mrs. Knapek earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science, summa cum laude, from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt (formerly Humboldt State University) in 2006. She also completed the Princeton Groundwater Pollution and Hydrology Course in 2009, and completed the Federal 30-hour OSHA training and the 30-hour Cal OSHA training.

She was bit by the soil bug during her time at Columbia University's Biosphere 2 Center Field School. It was here that she learned the original biosphere experiment with humans inside an enclosed echosystem failed due to scientists not calculating the amount of oxygen soil microbes utilize. The imbalance of oxygen and carbon dioxide resulted in mainly papayas being able to grow as a food source. Due to the humans in the experiment eating so many papayas their hands and faces turned orange. That, and other lessons learned inspired Mrs. Knapek's curiosity about the complexities of soil ecosystems and their impact on environmental balance.

Mrs. Knapek is actively involved with organizations such as the Soil Science Society of America, where she assisted in the development of a university credential standard, and the American Institute of Hydrology. Likewise, she led the Pacific Lumber Company field tour as president of the California Forest Soils Council in 2011. Mrs. Knapek's civic contributions include participation in STEM/STEAM nights and science fairs at local elementary schools and involvement with the American Humane Society.

In recognition of her academic excellence, Mrs. Knapek received the Most Outstanding Student Award from Humboldt State University. Looking ahead, she envisions her future evolving alongside the federal government's ever-changing landscape. As a project manager, Mrs. Knapek anticipates that transitioning into a program officer role will be a natural progression, drawing on her extensive experiences and life lessons.

Mrs. Knapek is the daughter of a mathematician, and the granddaughter of a chemical engineer (who most notably worked at Oak Ridge, Tennessee Military Laboratory).

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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