Karen Ann Kirtland

Born in Charleston, South Carolina on Dec. 17, 1955, Karen was the fourth of six children.

Her Air Force family was stationed throughout the US and Bermuda before settling

in Riverside in 1960, where Karen would call home for the rest of her life.

An eager student, Karen loved school and excelled academically, graduating high

school with honors before attending U.C. Riverside where she earned a Master’s degree

in biology. She began her career at Tierra Madre Consultants, an environmental consulting

firm in Riverside.

She continued in her field with other companies until in 1991, she founded an eponymous

company which she would later rename Natural Resources Assessment Inc. Her

passion for environmental protection and preservation was a driving force in her personal

and professional life and continued until her passing.

Karen was an avid traveler exploring throughout Europe, China and Russia with

friends and family. She particularly loved visiting America’s National Parks, spending

countless spring days hiking the trails at Yosemite and Joshua Tree.

An active member of her community, she supported the local performing arts, museums

and public broadcasting. She was a devoted member of St. George’s Episcopal

Church where she became a Leader and served on the Bishop’s Committee.

Karen is survived by her brother Tim; Nieces Stephanie Rollins, Bobbie Barton and

Dianne Hara; Nephews David, Sam Jr and James Hara, Michael Kirtland, and many

grand nephews and nieces.

Services will be held on Saturday, Jun 7th at 10:30am at St. George’s Episcopal

Church, 950 Spruce Street, Riverside (951) 686-9936. In lieu of flowers, donations can

be made in her name to the Sierra Club Foundation at

https://www.sierraclubfoundation.org/donor-forms-and-resources