Conservation Commission News

USDA Previews Emergency Relief Assistance for Agricultural Producers Who Incurred Losses Due to 2022 Natural Disaster Events

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced plans to roll out $3.7 billion in Emergency Relief Program (ERP) and Emergency Livestock Relief Program (ELRP) assistance to crop and livestock producers who sustained losses due to a qualifying natural disaster event in calendar year 2022. USDA is sharing early information to allow producers time to gather documents in advance of program delivery. Through distribution of remaining funds, USDA is also concluding the 2021 ELRP program by sending payments in the amount of 20% of the initial ELRP payment to all existing recipients.

Helping Agricultural Landowners Make Decisions about Solar with American Farmland Trust

The American Farmland Trust (AFT) is providing a webinar specialized for conservation districts that work with landowners who are (or may be in the future) approached by energy developers and are considering land management decisions. Join this webinar to learn more about AFT’s new guide, “Solar Leasing: A Guide for Agricultural Landowners in the Pacific Northwest," and other ways to help landowners navigate the pressures of solar energy development in their communities.

Conservation district elections official results

At its May 18, 2023, meeting, the Washington State Conservation Commission certified and announced the winners of all 45 conservation district elections. Get the results here!

Notice of bid opportunity: SCC executive director recruiter search

The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is issuing a competitive solicitation pursuant to RCW 39.26. SCC intends to conduct a competitive procurement to award a contract to a bidder qualified to conduct a thorough and competitive search for an executive director.

So what is in the 2023-25 budget?

The biggest news is the allocation of $25 million for the Riparian Grant program. The Recreation and Conservation Office also received $25 million to continue their work on salmon recovery. This upcoming biennium has the most significant budget SCC has seen and some of the funding includes hiring more commission and district staff and more money than ever to support district work. Some other highlights include:

OFP requests information from vendors for conservation easement affordability analysis

The Office of Farmland Preservation (OFP) is in the process of developing specifications for services to provide an affordability analysis for conservation easements and is requesting input from the vendor community.

Sole source contract announcement

The Washington State Conservation Commission, in compliance with the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services Policy#POL-DES-140-00-00A and Procedure #PRO-DES-140-00A Sole Source Contract Approval Procedure, gives notice that the WSCC intends to enter into a sole source contract with Enkon Information Systems Inc.

New member joins the Washington State Conservation Commission

Brook Beeler, Eastern Region Director for the state Department of Ecology, will join the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) as an appointed member on April 1, 2023. Commissioner Beeler will represent the Department of Ecology on the Commission, replacing former Commissioner David Giglio, whose term concluded at the end of March.

House and Senate release proposed 2023-2025 budgets

Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) staff have prepared a summary of budget proposals from the House, Senate, and Governor’s Office as they support SCC and conservation district or CD's work. The Senate and the House released their budget proposals within the last week. The Governor released his proposal in December. Get the table.

Kirk Robinson returns to lead SCC again

The Washington State Conservation Commissioners voted on Friday, March 24, to give the agency reins to Kirk Robinson for a third time as interim executive director. He will resume the position starting Monday, March 27. Robinson comes to the agency with a wealth of knowledge and experience. He will serve in this position until a new executive director is appointed.

We have liftoff! Sustainable Farms and Fields Program has launched

Sustainable Farms and Fields Program Manager, Karen Hills, wrote an article about SFF that was featured in the March Washington Soil Health Initiative Newsletter, describing the launch of the program and funded projects for the first funding cycle. You can find the article here. ‍

Pollinator habitat seed packets available to conservation districts

Statement from the Washington conservation commissioners to the conservation community

SCC announces agency director’s termination

The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) announces that Chris Pettit has been asked to leave his position as the SCC executive director effective immediately.

USDA seeking applications to expand conservation assistance to underserved producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications for projects that will improve outreach to underserved producers and underserved communities about conservation programs and services and opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences.

Conservation Month marketing materials available!

We are excited to announce our Conservation Month marketing materials! The media toolkit is live at www.scc.wa.gov/vote.Here is what you can expect to find in the toolkit...

New for Nurseries! Request for Information to Support Native Riparian Plant Propagation

SCC is issuing a Request for Information to gather relevant information needed for SCC to issue an initial limited-scope Request for Proposals, with an end date of June 30, 2023.

Food System Support grants awarded to 11 conservation districts

SCC in partnership with the Washington State Food Policy Forum, has awarded $55,000 in grants to 11 conservation districts statewide to strengthen our food system.

WSRRI accepts proposals for fire recovery resources for private, tribal, and public landowners

Following historic fires in 2020 that burned 600,000 acres of shrubsteppe habitat in Washington, the Washington State Legislature made new funding available to benefit wildlife by restoring shrubsteppe habitat, implementing actions to help at-risk species, and supporting working lands in eastern Washington.

Funding now open for conservation districts to cultivate native plants

This round of funding is open to Washington conservation districts to support the creation, improvement, and expansion of holding facilities to cultivate native trees and shrubs for riparian restoration projects.

Commission takes position on HB 1215, the incentives for salmon habitat bill

At their January regular business meeting last Thursday, the Conservation Commission reviewed the legislation and heard from the Governor’s policy staff on the bill. During the discussion, the commissioners reviewed various options on whether to support the bill.

Governor’s proposed budget invests $100 million in salmon

Governor Jay Inslee’s proposed 2023-25 operating and capital budgets include a significant increase in funding for the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC).

Kearney appointed as SCC’s newest commissioner

On Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, Cherie Kearney was appointed to the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) to serve as the second governor-appointed commissioner on the 10-member board. Commissioner Kearney will replace former Commissioner Sarah Speath, who stepped down from the commission earlier this fall.

Food System Support Grant availability for conservation districts

SCC announces a limited grant opportunity for funding to support food system activities at conservation districts. Up to $5,000 will be available to each successful grant applicant. The deadline for application submittals is Wednesday, January 18, 2023, by 5:00 p.m. Funding must be used for activities that will result in products in hand or activities completed by June 30, 2023.

Chris Pettit re-appointed to Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee

Chris Pettit, executive director of the SCC, has been re-appointed to serve on the FRRCC; a panel that provides the EPA with advice on issues important to agriculture and rural communities.

2022 District of the Year Awards

The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is excited to announce the recipients of the 2022 District of the Year Awards!

Sustainable Farms and Fields Program funding available for voluntary, climate-smart projects 

The Washington State Conservation Commission's (SCC) new climate-friendly program, the Sustainable Farms and Fields (SFF) program, is open for applications from public entities. SFF is accepting applications from entities that will help farmers and ranchers participate in activities that sequester carbon or reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide.

WACD Area Meeting SCC Handouts

Director Pettit will be highlighting these items during his presentation across the state. The attached packet provides information on: legislative updates, informational sheets about our programs, and the latest news on Conservation Month.

Conservation Month Officially Adopted

SCC is working with its partners to finalize a statewide marketing campaign to promote March as Conservation Month. In order for each conservation district to get the most outof the outreach efforts and associated advertising to be provided through SCC, districts are encouraged to consider holding supervisor elections sometime during the month of March 2023.SCC is aware that districts are starting to schedule elections now and we wanted to get this vital issue on your radar.

How to Apply for the Western Elected Commission Member Position

The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) has adopted a temporary Interpretive Statement 20-01 describing the process of the district representative to the Commission to accommodate for the Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) annual meeting being held in a hybrid style with in-person meetings with options to participate online.

Seeking CD feedback on proposed Salmon Recovery Funding Guidelines, comments due by July 1

The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) is seeking comments from conservation districts on proposed Salmon Recovery Funding Guidelines. This funding was received from the Washington State Legislature for the fiscal years 2021-23.

Food system grants awarded to 10 Conservation Districts

Funding from the State Conservation Commission will support food security and food systems across the state. The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC), in partnership with the Washington State Food Policy Forum, has awarded $48,500 in grants to 10 conservation districts statewide to strengthen our food system, especially in underserved and under-resourced communities.

New grant program for Whatcom County farmers and ranchers impacted by floods

The Washington State Legislature has appropriated $300,000 to The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) and Whatcom Conservation District (Whatcom CD) through grants to help with the economic recovery of Whatcom County farmers and ranchers who experienced property damage or economic loss due to the November 2021 floods.

COVID-19 Response: Conservation Commission main office is open — appointments recommended

The Washington State Conservation Commission main office is open to visitors. We encourage you to please make an appointment in advance. Our staff has busy work schedules, and many continue to telework. Appointments help us ensure the appropriate team member is available when you stop by.

Chris Pettit named executive director of Conservation Commission

During the Jan. 2022 business meeting, Chris Pettit was announced as the new executive director for the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC). Pettit is skilled in environmental policy and law, water resources, land use, government relations, and public administration, among many other issues relevant to the agency’s work in Washington.

Conservation Commission welcomes new chair and vice chair

At their meeting on December 2, the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) Board of Commissioners appointed Daryl Williams as their new chair and Larry Cochran as vice chair.

Legislative materials available: CD/SCC budget requests and election proposal

Conservation district photo contest captures spectrum of Washington natural resources, farmland

The SCC is pleased to announce winners and finalists of the 2021 Conservation District Photo Contest!

Washington’s Voluntary Stewardship Program passes major milestone in protecting critical areas and farmland

All counties in Washington’s Voluntary Stewardship Program (VSP) are successfully using incentive-based and farm-friendly strategies to comply with state growth management requirements, according to a first-round of evaluations. This milestone is the culmination of a negotiated effort begun over 14 years ago to resolve disputes over protection of critical areas and agricultural activities.

Conservation Commission announces “conservation district of the year” awards

Six conservation districts - one from each region of the state - have been recognized with awards from the Conservation Commission for their exemplary work and dedication over the past year.

WSCC Enters Contract With WACD

The State Conservation Commission intends to enter into a contract with the Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD).

SCC Awards Sole Source Contract to Ross and Associates Environmental Consulting, Ltd.

The Washington State Conservation Commission intends to award a sole source contract to Ross and Associates Environmental Consulting, Ltd. DBA Ross Strategic for facilitation of and support for the Washington State Food Policy Forum.

CD funding opportunities announced: Livestock TA and Fire Recovery

2020 Annual Report celebrates commitment to conservation

Our state's 45 conservation districts have unique strengths that make them particularly adept in times of change or crisis. We're proud to highlight these strengths and their commitment to conservation in our 2020 Annual Report.

Conservation districts awarded grants to support Washington’s food system

The Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) has awarded $50,000 in Food System Support Grants to 11 conservation districts in the state.

Washington State conservationist elected president of national organization

On February 10, Michael Crowder of south central Washington was sworn in as president of the National Association of Conservation Districts, a nonprofit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts.

State Conservation Commission recognizes Conservation Districts of the Year with annual awards

Each year, the Washington State Conservation Commission recognizes conservation districts’ outstanding effort and accomplishments by presenting annual awards. There are 45 conservation districts within 6 regions of Washington State. Within each region, one district is recognized with a Conservation District of the Year Award.

Centennial farm in Cowiche Valley preserved, securing heritage and natural resource value

Located just outside the communities of Tieton and Cowiche, one of Washington’s Centennial Farms will be protected forever from development.

State Conservation Commission makes changes to improve conservation district election clarity, accountability

At their September 17 meeting, members of the Washington State Conservation Commission unanimously voted to make several changes to state regulations for conservation district elections. Changes are designed to improve accountability and make things more clear for candidates and voters.

Celebrating 80 years of conservation

Read about featured accomplishments from our 80th year and highlights from each of Washington's 45 conservation districts in our 2019 Annual Report.