Leisyka Parrott is the new Bureau of Land Management California Coastal National Monument manager.
With nearly 20 years of public service, she brings a diversity of natural resource expertise to the position where she will oversee the management of approximately 20,000 offshore rocks and islands, and more than 7,900 acres of public land in six onshore units along California’s coastline.
Leisyka Parrott from the top of the Piedras Blancas Lighthouse. • Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management
“This spectacular coastal resource is an inspiration for Californians and visitors from around the world,” said Central California District Manager Chris Heppe. “Leisyka is an experienced leader who brings a strong background in collaboration, cooperation, and coordination needed to manage this important and complex resource.”
A native of coastal California, and graduate of Humboldt State University, Parrott began her career in the northwest Great Basin as a fire lookout for the BLM fire program for eight years. In 2010, she joined the BLM Arcata field office as an interpretive specialist, in the monument’s gateway community of Trinidad, bringing interpretation, education, and stewardship opportunities to the north coast and its watersheds.
Working with local partners, she led the North Coast Seabird Protection Network which serves to reduce impacts on seabirds through monitoring populations, and public education programs.
In her more recent role as assistant field manager in Ukiah, she worked with the Point Arena Gateway partners and led interdisciplinary resource staff in developing plans for trails, implementing fuel reduction work, and completing watershed restoration.
“I look forward to collaborating with coastal Tribal governments, local communities, organizations, and agency partners,” says Leisyka. “We will work together to keep these iconic public lands healthy and accessible for generations to come.”
The California Coastal National Monument provides important habitat for nesting seabirds and marine mammals. The six onshore units include Trinidad Head Lighthouse, Waluplh-Lighthouse Ranch, Lost Coast Headlands, Point Arena-Stornetta, Piedras Blancas Light Station, and Cotoni-Coast Dairies in Santa Cruz.
Parrott grew up on a 35-foot sailboat in the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor. Homeschooled by her parents during the winter months, her family would sail to Baja and use the ocean and coastal ecosystems as a classroom.
Her most recent international trip took her to the Santa Marta Mountains of Colombia to see the endemic Santa Marta warbler.
She enjoys adventuring with her son Izaak to visit family, soaking in hot springs, and bird watching with her partner Russ.