Veteran conservation leader returns to statewide service
The Washington conservation district supervisors have elected Bill Blake as their newest Western Region Commissioner to the State Conservation Commission, following the departure of Dean Longrie of Clark Conservation District. The Western Region covers conservation districts west of the Cascade Mountains.
Blake brings decades of experience in conservation and natural resource management. He previously served as the Executive Director of the Skagit Conservation District from 2017 to 2023, Puget Sound CD Caucus Chair, and as WADE President from 2020 to 2022.
Blake’s professional experience began in 1984 as a Weyerhaeuser employee performing water quality testing and analysis. He also previously worked as a farm planner at Snohomish Conservation District, working directly with landowners. His experience spans diverse fields such as agriculture, forestry, stormwater, ecosystem recovery, and management.
Later, Blake worked for a fisheries enhancement group, the Stillaguamish Tribe, and spent seventeen years at the City of Arlington. While at Arlington, he moved from Natural Resource Manager, writing environmental stewardship action plans, to Permit Center Manager, Assistant Director of Community Development, and Stormwater Manager.
“I am very excited to be working directly with conservation districts and SCC staff again and helping the Commission. My unique background and district perspective will be a benefit to the Commission’s policy discussions.” Blake said.
SCC Executive Director James Thompson hailed Blake’s election. “We are thrilled to welcome Bill Blake to the Commission,” Thompson said. “His deep experience across conservation districts, local government, and natural resource management will be a tremendous asset to our work.”
