Overcoming challenges to move the BLM forward: Nikki Haskett

As the Bureau of Land Management commemorates Women’s History Month, it’s hard to think of a more inspiring story than Nikki Haskett’s. It’s also hard to think of anyone more dedicated to moving the Bureau forward, through teamwork, innovation, and staying true to the mission.

Currently serving as Acting Field Manager of the Malheur Field Office, in Oregon/Washington’s Vale District Office, Nikki makes critical contributions to the agency at all levels—from stream restoration work as a fish biologist to policy initiatives related to endangered species, and even large-scale administrative reorganizations within the Bureau. It sounds like the career of three people, not one!

Even more striking is that Nikki accomplished all this while overcoming significant health challenges. Her story of recovery mirrors how she talks about the agency she has served for nearly 30 years, involving perseverance and resilience, a commitment to making the most of every opportunity, and a passion for public service.

At 29, just after the birth of her second child, and while serving as a fish biologist for the Coos Bay District Office, Nikki began experiencing bouts of dizziness. Her supervisor at the time, Gregg Nelson, encouraged her to see a doctor, and Nikki was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

She underwent a 10-hour operation that affected her speaking and writing abilities. No wonder that, when asked to lead the Fisheries team working on the first Western Oregon Plan revision, Nikki initially felt trepidatious. Over the next four years, however, working on the Plan and delivering presentations to a variety of audiences proved to be a prescription for recovery.

Her success in Oregon led to Headquarters recruiting Nikki. At Headquarters, among many other innovative contributions, she helped establish a mechanism allowing all BLM units to accept public donations. Then another health challenge emerged just as Nikki was tapped to serve as Acting Assistant Director of HQ-400. The cancer returned and she would need to have chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

When she informed BLM’s Acting Deputy Director of Operations, Margaret Schneider, about the situation, Margaret offered to have a couch installed in Nikki’s office in case she needed to rest while fulfilling her duties. Nikki described this incident in a recent interview as part of the Bureau’s Oral History Project.

“I thought she was kidding," says Nikki. "She said, ‘No, that's what you do for people.’ And I thought that was so compassionate . . . and that's the BLM for you.”

Many other people in the agency inspired Nikki as well, from her Coos Bay co-workers, who all came to her home and surprised her with a birthday party to show support after her surgery; to outstanding supervisors like Gregg Nelson and BLM leaders like Barbara Eggers; to the members of the superb teams she has worked with and makes it a point to acknowledge as often as possible, in Oregon/Washington, HQ-400, HQ-700, and elsewhere.

“BLM is like a family," she says. "I feel so fortunate to be able to work with such talented and caring people.”

Beyond the Bureau, Nikki’s own family—her parents, husband, and children—are another source of inspiration. She frequently dates key events in her BLM career by recalling her children’s ages at the time, and she is grateful that returning to BLM Oregon/Washington made it possible to live near her parents again.

In turn, Nikki is always looking for opportunities to educate and inspire others. She readily agrees to requests for formal and informal mentoring. She has also shared her insights in presentations for the BLM internship program. In addition, Nikki recently served as part of a recruitment effort at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, helping the Bureau strengthen its outreach to the next generation of public servants. 

She emphasizes the mission-critical importance of recruitment, pointing to increased demand for visitor services on public lands, among other factors.

“It can be challenging to balance our multiple-use mission with the capacity we have,” Nikki says. “But even though there are challenges, when you go out to the field, you’re reminded of how amazing our public lands are, and why the work we do is so valuable.”