About Us

Cathy A. Needham, Owner, Environmental Scientist

Cathy is the owner of Kai Environmental Consulting Services. She was born and raised in Ketchikan, Alaska and attended school in Oregon and Wisconsin before returning to Alaska in 1999. Cathy is part Tsimshian and descendant of Haida and has previously worked for the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida and the Organized Village of Kasaan in Environmental and Natural Resource fields. In addition to operating the business administration side of Kai Environmental, Cathy enjoys working hands-on in rural Alaskan communities and helping to build capacity in Tribal programs. She is well versed in wetland delineations, water quality monitoring programs, fisheries management projects and NEPA actions. Her formal education includes a B.S and a M.S. in Zoology, with specializations in intertidal marine ecology. In her spare time, Cathy enjoys hiking, fishing, reading, harvesting and cooking.


Marita Tolson, HCA Education Coordinator

Marita Tolson is the Education Coordinator for a special project with Hydaburg Cooperative Association. Marita has four years of grant experience, and is responsible for hosting educational classes for community members of Hydaburg, Alaska. Marita is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Marita is inspired daily by her husband and their two children. In her free time, Marita likes to do subsistence activities that help put food on the table for family and friends.