The Okanogan Conservation District has been working to conserve and enhance natural resources in Okanogan County, Washington since April 1940.  Districts were formed throughout Washington State starting in 1940 as a source of local knowledge and expertise on natural resource conservation.

We work closely with landowners, non-governmental organizations, Washington State agencies, and Federal agencies to identify natural resource concerns, then focus efforts to resolve those concerns in a voluntary, non-regulatory approach.

 

The Board consists of five voting Supervisors and several non-voting Associate Supervisors.  Three of the five voting Supervisors are elected, the remaining two are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission.  Each voting Supervisor position is a three year term.  One voting Supervisor position is up for election each year.  The District runs its elections according to RCW 89.08 and Washington State Conservation Commission Elections policies.

Registered voters that live within the Okanogan Conservation District’s boundaries may vote in each election.  For upcoming election information please see our calendar page and please come vote!

STAFF

 

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Bob Clark – Technical Program Lead
The District Technical Program Lead, Bob Clark, has a BS in Outdoor Recreation (Forestry) from Utah State University with a minor in plant taxonomy.  He also did graduate level studies in land use planning at the University of Montana.  He is a board member of the Washington Association of Conservation Districts Plant Materials Center.  The 2008 Washington Association of District Employee of the Year, Bob assists the District Manager with the coordination of all District technical programs, helping to coordinate projects, working with cooperating individuals, agencies, and other partners.  He is responsible for implementing the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and Irrigation Efficiencies programs and assisted with the Okanogan Watershed Planning project.  He is also responsible for all District GIS development and management.  Bob has been with the District since December 2001.

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Laura Clark – Administrative Program Lead
The District Administrative Coordinator, Laura Clark, has more than 30 years of public administrative service and has been with the District since April, 1998.  In this position, Ms. Clark oversees the District Tree and Shrub sale, the Envirothon, and has been working on alternative energy projects such as using woody biomass for electrical production.  She assists the District Manager with development and oversight of the District budget and other administrative functions.  Laura has a wide range of grant management and business management experience.

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Jenni Remillard - Conservation Educator
The District Conservation Educator, Jenni Remillard, recently graduated from Portland State University with a BS in Environmental Studies and has an Associates Degree of Fisheries Technology from Mt. Hood Community College. She will be working with schools on outreach programs, and on the District's newsletter and website.Jenni has been with the District since January 2010.

 

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Kelly Kinney - Conservation Planner
An Okanogan Conservation District Planner, Kelly Kinney, has a BS in General Agriculture from Washington State University.  In this position, she is currently working on the Backyard Conservation and Small Farm Implementation grant.  Kelly actively works on livestock projects for the District dealing with riparian fences, spring developments, pipeline, watering facilities, hardened access points, and revegetation. Kelly has been with the District since October 2008.

 

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Craig Nelson – District Manager
The Okanogan Conservation District Manager, Craig Nelson, has a BA in Geography with a minor in Environmental Studies and has been in this role since December, 1996.  In this position, he coordinated the development of the Okanogan Watershed Water Quality Management Plan, facilitated and coordinated the Okanogan Watershed Plan under RCW 90.82, and oversees all District programs and project staff.  Mr. Nelson supervises a diverse conservation program on a day-to-day basis while coordinating with multiple partnering agencies and non-governmental organizations.  Craig has extensive grant management experience.

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Kim Simpson – District Treasurer
The District Treasurer, Kim Simpson, has a BA in Public Administration and has been processing grant vouchers and payment requests for since January 1999.  She was instrumental in developing and implementing an improved grant and voucher tracking system that has allowed the Okanogan Conservation District to go from, at best, quarterly vouchers to consistent monthly vouchers.  Kim will be responsible for the timely and accurate submission of vouchers for the project.  She is also extensively involved in conservation district employee development as the President of the Washington Association of District Employees.

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