WhatsNew:
Resource Conservation & Development Planning Meeting
Join us and find out more about the conservation work in Kittitas County July 21st 5-7 pm City of Ellensburg Council Chambers
Click here for more information
UpcomingEvents:
Monthly Board Meeting
August 12th, 2010 7 pm
What is a conservation district?
The 47 conservation districts are the ONLY organizations in Washington State that routinely design and apply on-the-ground solutions to nonpoint water quality problems on privately owned resource lands. No other group, public or private, does this work. Further, the technical help provided by conservation districts to private landowners is free for the asking. Each conservation district is led by a five-member board of volunteer supervisors - three elected locally and two appointed by the state's conservation agency, the Conservation Commission. These individuals serve three-year terms, during which time they remain aware of locally important natural resource or environmental issues and decide what projects their district will undertake each year. Also, each conservation district has paid staff, consisting of employees hired by the supervisors using district funds; plus technical professionals assigned to assist the district by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's technical arm, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). These individuals carry out the work of the district as a team, under the guidance and direction of the board of supervisors.
Conservation districts have broad authority under their enabling legislation, and can tackle just about any problem related to the natural environment. Districts in Washington State are involved in issues ranging from air quality (blowing dust), to prevention of groundwater contamination, to stream improvement for endangered salmon, to dairy waste management, to stream bank stabilization, to on-farm irrigation water management, to forestland improvement, to erosion control on dryland farms. Even where natural resources problems exceed local capabilities, local conservation districts usually know who to contact for additional help.
Under their enabling statute, a conservation district is defined as "…a governmental subdivision of this state, and a public body corporate and politic exercising public powers…" Conservation districts are part of state government just like hospital districts, irrigation districts, and other special purpose districts created under state law for specific public purposes. They are local governmental bodies charged with fulfilling very specific purposes relating to the conservation of renewable natural resources. Based on this, Section 115 of the Internal Revenue Service Code confers tax exempt status on conservation districts. Also, charitable contributions to districts are generally tax deductible.
The Staff:
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Anna Lael-District Manager Anna was hired by the KCCD in 1997. She grew up on a farm in the Kittitas Valley. Anna is a graduate of Kittitas High School and Washington State University (B.S. Natural Resource Management '95). Anna oversees all KCCD projects, programs and staff. She is directly responsible to the KCCD Board of Supervisors. |
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Sara Leist- Financial Manager Sara was hired by the KCCD in 2002. She is a graduate of Central Washington University (B.S. Administrative Management '02). Sara manages the KCCD finances, administrative activities and the Conservation Plant Sale. She also assists with field data collection for the Yakima Tributary Access and Habitat Program |
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Suzanne Wade- GIS Specialist Suzanne was hired by the KCCD in 2002. Prior to working at KCCD, she was a helicopter instructor pilot in the Army. She has recently completed her M.S. in Resource Management from Central Washington University. Suzanne provides GIS support (maps, analysis, etc.) for all KCCD projects and is currently the District's contact for Firewise projects, Wild Horse Wind Farm Inventory, and a Stormwater grant. |
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Mark Crowley- Resource Technician II Mark was hired as by the KCCD in 2002. He was the Cattle Manager for the Blue Rock Cattle Company prior to working for the KCCD. Mark grew up in Kansas and is a graduate of Washington State University (B.S. Agricultural Economics '92). He is responsible for the Irrigation Efficiencies Program and various YTAHP projects for the KCCD. |
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Ryan Roberts- District Engineer Ryan was hired by the KCCD in 2006. He graduated from Lyle High School in 1990 and has worked in the agricultural community since 1988. He graduated from WSU with a degree in Civil Engineering ('03) and obtained his Professional Engineer license in January 2009. Ryan provides engineering support for numerous KCCD projects, while also serving the Okanogan, Foster Creek, South Douglas and Cascadia Conservation Districts. |
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Sherry Swanson- Project Manager Sherry was hired in 2006. An Evergreen State College graduate of 1995, she received a BA in Environmental Studies with a focus on wildlife conservation and agriculture. Prior to KCCD, Sherry worked as a back country guide in the Teanaway Valley and as a farm planner for the San Juan and King Conservation Districts. Sherry is managing the Manastash Creek Restoration Project. |
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Brent Dixon- Resource Technician Brent has been working for the District during the past 2 summers while attending WSU. He graduated from WSU in the fall of 2009 with a Natural Resource Science degree and was hired full-time in June 2010. Brent is in the field a lot, working on various tasks including the Manastash Resotration Project. He also is the primary coordinator with the WCC planting crew. |
The Board
