Conservation district seeking applicants for appointed board position

Whatcom Conservation District (WCD) is seeking candidates for an appointed board position, and the deadline to apply is March 31.

A non-regulatory subdivision of Washington state that provides free and confidential services to landowners to help manage and protect natural resources, WCD is governed by a board of five supervisors. They are all local residents who serve without compensation. Three supervisors are elected locally by the public, while two are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission. A supervisor’s term of office is three years. Supervisors are expected to attend 12 regularly scheduled board meetings per year, committee meetings and other special meetings, for an average of 20 days per year.

The open board position is an appointed position. Applicants must be Washington state registered voters, but they do not have to live within the district to apply. For specific information and to obtain an application form, visit the Conservation Commission’s website at scc.wa.gov/elections-and-appointments. Additional information is available at whatcomcd.org/board-elections or by contacting Dawn Bekenyi at wcd@whatcomcd.org or 360/526-2381 ext. 101.

Responsibilities include identifying local natural resource conservation needs; developing and evaluating annual and long-range plans; educating and informing landowners, farm operators, the general public and local, state and federal legislators on conservation issues and programs; administering the district by delegating tasks through a structure of board officers and committees; budgeting district funds and reporting on activities to the public; and setting policy for the district’s executive director to implement.

WCD’s mission is to assist land managers with their conservation choices. Since 1946, WCD has worked with landowners and farmers to manage natural resources in Whatcom County. WCD disseminates information concerning water quality issues, management of small and large farming operations and implementation of best management practices. The district publishes newsletters, hosts educational workshops and tours and offers opportunities for volunteers to get involved.

Current WCD board chair Heather Christianson will serve another three-year term, after no other person filed an application to be considered as a candidate in 2020. The deadline was January 10, and Conservation Commission rules provide that if the only person filing by the deadline is the incumbent, they are automatically re-elected so long as the requisite notice was given and the petition contained the signatures of 25 register voters. A sufficient number of signatures of registered voters was confirmed on January 13, said a January 28 press release.