FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RCRC Contact:
Carolyn Jhajj
Communications Director
916.447.4806
SACRAMENTO, CA – On September 24, the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) honored Yana Valachovic, Forest Advisor and County Director of Humboldt and Del Norte counties for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), with the 2026 RCRC President’s Award in recognition for her exceptional service to rural California.
Presented during RCRC’s Annual Meeting, the RCRC President’s Award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond their everyday roles to support and strengthen California’s rural counties.
“I am deeply honored and truly humbled by this award,” said Valachovic. “It is an absolute privilege to work for the communities of the North Coast and rural regions throughout California. RCRC is an indispensable champion for the unique issues our counties face, and I am incredibly proud to partner with all of you in this vital work.”
Valachovic was selected for her leadership and expertise in wildfire mitigation, forest restoration, and climate-resilient community building. And for her valuable partnership in sustaining and restoring California’s forests, stewarding natural resources, retrofitting homes for fire resistance, and safeguarding communities from the impacts of catastrophic wildfire.
RCRC also recognizes Valachovic’s invaluable technical assistance and policy expertise on Zone 0, Assembly Bill 2494 (Rogers), and numerous other wildfire and forest resilience initiatives.
A registered professional forester and forest scientist, Valachovic’s work spans a wide range of natural resource disciplines. In addition to her role with UC ANR and as a county department head, she serves as co-lead of the Northern California region of the California Fire Science Consortium and serves many roles with the California Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.
“Yana has been an invaluable partner to RCRC and our member counties for many years,” said Patrick Blacklock, RCRC President & CEO. “Her leadership in wildfire resilience, forest stewardship, and community preparedness has helped shape policies and programs that make rural California safer and stronger. I selected Yana for this year’s President’s Award because of her extraordinary commitment to serving rural communities, her willingness to share her expertise, and her lasting impact on the counties and residents we represent.”
ABOUT RURAL COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES OF CALIFORNIA (RCRC)
The Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) is a forty-member county service organization that champions policies on behalf of California’s rural counties. RCRC is dedicated to representing the collective unique interests of its membership, providing legislative and regulatory representation at the State and Federal levels, and providing responsible services for its members to enhance and protect the quality of life in rural California counties. To learn more about RCRC, visit rcrcnet.org and follow @RuralCounties on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
RCRC President’s Award recipient Yana Valachovic with RCRC President & CEO Patrick Blacklock and Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn
