BIO
Michiko Martin is the Regional Forester for the Southwestern Region of the USDA Forest Service and provides an essential role in carrying out agency goals enhancing shared stewardship opportunities with partners, meeting high-priority restoration goals across critical landscapes, protecting communities from wildfire, and providing the numerous benefits that flow from healthy forests and grasslands by strengthening all people’s connections with the land.
She leads more than 2,000 employees and oversees 20.6 million acres of national forests and grasslands in Arizona and New Mexico.
Michiko brings over 34 years of federal government career experience to her position. She joined the Forest Service in 2014 as a national director and from 2014-2021 has served as the Director of Conservation Education; Director of Recreation, Heritage and Volunteer Resources; and as the Acting Director of Engineering, Technology and Geospatial Services.
Prior to joining the Forest Service, Michiko worked for 12 years as the Chief of Education, Outreach and New Media for the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Department of Commerce. Michiko also served as a commissioned naval officer for 12 years, working as a meteorologist and oceanographer.
A native of the Ryukyuan Islands, Michiko earned a Bachelor of Science in physical oceanography at the United States Naval Academy. She later earned post-graduate degrees, including a Master of Science degree in oceanographic engineering jointly conferred by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute; and a Master’s degree in educational leadership at Troy State University.