SALT LAKE – Matt Christensen, who serves as the Wildland-Urban Interface Coordinator in the FFSL Central Area, was honored by the US Fish and Wildlife Service with their 2024 USFWS Partners Program Conservation Excellence Award for his work with the agency on the San Pitch Rx.
Each year, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program recognizes an exceptional conservation partner who works across physical and social boundaries to implement collaborative conservation practices.
Christensen has coordinated across federal, state and private land ownership to keep the San Pitch Rx fire project moving forward. This coordinated effort has required Christensen to work tirelessly writing plans, conducting site visits, and working with nongovernmental organizations and local fire departments.
For the past 15 years, the landowners within the project area have been trying to gain support for a prescribed fire project, but couldn’t gain traction for the project to get underway. Christensen has been an essential piece in finally getting the project underway.
Christensen has brought a solution-based approach to the San Pitch Rx project, and his can-do attitude always makes him think ahead to identify potential issues and the best way to solve them. Through his work and ability to partner and build relationships, he has strengthened the trust between government agencies and private landowners.
Christensen was presented the 2024 USFWS Partners Program Conservation Excellence Award at a recent staff meeting by Clint Wirick, the Utah Partners Program State Coordinator for the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
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