To work with landowners and residents to develop sustainable land use practices that protect and conserve San Juan County's soil and water for habitat, forestry, farming, residential and other uses.
Our Role in the Community
The San Juan Islands Conservation District is a local organization serving residents county-wide. It is a legally constituted arm of the State government, is non-regulatory and is governed by five volunteers who serve on the District Board of Supervisors. Learn more about District Board members.
The Conservation District is committed to protecting, conserving and enhancing natural resources in San Juan County. The Conservation District accomplishes this goal in a variety ways, such as...
• Technical guidance on land use and conservation practices
• Natural resource information resources (resource library, publications, newsletter)
• Research and restoration projects
• Public education workshops & clinics
• Funding assistance & grants
Timeline History of the San Juan Islands Conservation District
2007 - Change of name to 'San Juan Islands Conservation District'.
2006 – Completely new staff hired to advance the mission of the San Juan County Conservation District.
2005 – San Juan County Board of County Commissioners approved an annual assessment for the District at $5.00 per parcel for five years.
2002 – Water quality monitoring program initiated by the District on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Island.
2001 – District selected as Lead Entity for the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board Program in San Juan County.
2001 – First District Manager hired by District’s Board of Supervisors, along with an expanded staff to better serve the needs of County residents.
2000 – San Juan County Watershed Management Action Plan adopted by the San Juan County Board of County Commissioners with support provided by the District.
1990 – Washington State Department of Ecology grant received by the District for $5,000 for water quality testing of Crow Valley wells on Orcas Island.
1979 – Washington State Conservation Commission grant received by the District for $1,000 for District operations.
1975 – San Juan County Soil and Water Conservation District renamed the San Juan County Conservation District.
1964 – San Juan County Soil and Water Conservation District established through a merger of the Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island Soil Conservation Districts.
1947 – Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Island Soil Conservation Districts established.
1939 – Washington State Soil Conservation District Law passed.
1935 – U.S. Soil Conservation Act signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The San Juan Conservation District is one of 48 conservation districts across the State of Washington, and it continues to advance sustainable farming & forestry county-wide through free farm/forest resource planning services, as well as providing free advice on sustainable building & land use practices. We are guided by the Washington State Conservation District and we are a member of the Washington Association of Conservation Districts.
ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY:
Ron Zee, District Manager from 2006-2008
Ron was the Conservation District Manager from June 2006 through 2008. A resident of San Juan Island, Ron specialized in non-profit development and management in the non-profit sector in Colorado and New Mexico for twenty years. He has worked in government at both the state and federal level, with tribal organizations, and helped establish a multidisciplinary scientific research center in New Mexico. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Macalester College, and a Master’s Degree in International Relations from American University.
Jerry Kasparek, Board Chair, Elected from 1995 to 2008
Background - Native Plants & Wildlife
Jerry was raised in Southern California and graduated from California State Polytechnic College with a degree in Architectural Engineering. He spent three and one-half years in the Navy Civil Engineering Corps as an Officer. Upon completion of active duty he obtained an Architectural license and practiced for thirty years in California. Jerry's wife, Shirley retired from teaching high school art and ceramics, and the couple moved to Orcas Island in 1993. Jerry became interested in the conservation district in 1996 and became an associate in 1999. His goal was to help the community become more aware of the natural resources, and to have respect for the land and environment, with the hope this country can be passed onto future generations in good condition.
Thom Pence, Vice Chair, Appointed Board Member from 2000-2008
Background - Forestry
Thom graduated from Michigan State University in 1972 with a BS in Forestry. He worked for the US Forest Service from 1969 (seasonally till graduating from college) until retirement in 1999. Thom spent the majority of his 20 year career in silviculture (including reforestation, stand prescription writing, thinning, pest management, vegetation management and urban forestry/arboriculture), with several seasons of timber presale (including sale layout, timber marking and cruising), small and large timber sale administration (including timber scaling and beach log salvage) and every year of his career helping with fire suppression. He worked in minerals management (inspecting exploratory drilling sites and mine construction), while still doing silviculture work. He wrote numerous NEPA documents and worked in the schools (K-12) doing environmental education programs. Thom took an early retirement in 1999, moved to the San Juans and had volunteered his time with the CD and continues to help save the threatened Garry Oak (Quercus garryiana) habitat