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Welcome Commissioners!

Welcome to our new resource page! Here you'll find information about upcoming meetings, announcements, calendars, policy information and more. Let us know if there is anything else you would like to see on this page.

Announcements

Commission Tour Highlights Stevens County Partnerships
Commission Tour Highlights Stevens County Partnerships
Commission Tour Highlights Stevens County Partnerships

On September 19, Commissioners, SCC staff, and partners toured two Stevens County sites showcasing strong local partnerships and voluntary conservation in action. At Hagen Cattle & Hay Ranch, the group discussed grazing and manure management practices that support productive cattle operations and improve soil and water health. At Vetter Farm, jointly managed by the Stevens County Conservation District and WSU Extension, the tour highlighted efforts to connect producers, share ideas, and test new conservation approaches.

October 10, 2025

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Executive Director Feedback Form
Executive Director Feedback Form
Executive Director Feedback Form

James Thompson has given a year of service to the Washington Conservation Commission in the role of executive director. Commission members would like to provide the opportunity to all of you who have worked with James to share feedback we can use during his annual review that includes your perspectives.

November 7, 2024

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SCC is hiring a Southeast Regional Manager
SCC is hiring a Southeast Regional Manager
SCC is hiring a Southeast Regional Manager

Apply Today! As the Southeast Regional Manager, you will work independently under the general guidance of the Deputy Director of Operations and Programs, providing a wide variety of services to the state’s conservation districts.

October 1, 2024

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SCC is hiring a VSP Coordinator!
SCC is hiring a VSP Coordinator!
SCC is hiring a VSP Coordinator!

The VSP Coordinator will oversee the program’s implementation, management, and policy development, along with budget oversight, and supervision of the VSP Specialist.

September 27, 2024

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Welcome SCC team!
Welcome SCC team!
Welcome SCC team!

Introducing our new agency-wide intranet! Please explore resources and team specific pages. This site will grow in the coming months. Make sure to bookmark it!

June 28, 2024

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From the Blog

2025 District of the Year Awards

Each year, the SCC recognizes conservation districts from across the state for their leadership and commitment to voluntary conservation. Check out the districts recognized in 2025!

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Welcoming Margaret McKeown to the SCC Team as the Riparian Grant Program Specialist

Margaret joins SCC to support grant management and serve as a district contact for the Riparian Grant Program. She brings extensive experience in restoration and environmental policy from WDFW and DNR.

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Welcome Jennifer Allen to the SCC Team as a Grants Specialist

The SCC welcomes Jennifer Allen, who joined as a Grants Specialist in October 2025. A lifelong Washingtonian with a background in forestry and grants management, Jennifer brings both expertise and enthusiasm for conservation.

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Introducing Jessica Wilson as SCC's new Chief Engagement Officer

The SCC is excited to announce the creation of a new executive role, Chief Engagement Officer, and welcome Jessica Wilson to the team. Jessica brings over a decade of strategic communications and government experience to help strengthen engagement, build trust, and expand communications capacity across SCC, conservation districts, and the broader conservation community.

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SCC Welcomes A New Southeast Regional Manager

SCC is excited to announce that our newest hire, Tami Stubbs, will be stepping into the Southeast Regional Manager role starting August 18, 2025.

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Yakima CD Commission Tour Highlights

Thank you to Yakima Conservation District for welcoming SCC staff, commissioners, and partners for an insightful tour ahead of last week's Commission meeting! We're grateful for the opportunity to see the district's impactful work firsthand.

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Colvin Ranch Day Celebrated on Sunday

Colvin Ranch Day was held on Sunday to celebrate 20 years of prairie conservation. It included ranch tours, wildflower walks, live music, and a special award ceremony honoring long-term stewardship partnerships.

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Grays Harbor CD: Fighting Invasives, Brewing Change & Restoring Rivers

Last week, Grays Harbor Conservation District gave SCC commissioners, staff, and partners a tour highlighting efforts to control invasive green crabs, restore the Satsop River, and engage the community through the River Roots Beer Initiative, which has planted 12,000+ trees. Their work, including a $2.4 million river restoration project and ongoing green crab trapping, is helping to protect Washington’s coastal ecosystems.

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Lacey Halloween Potluck

Last week, our Lacey team hosted a memorable Halloween-themed potluck that brought out some fantastic costumes and food. The highlight of the costumes included Sarah W. dressed as NRCS Code 616—a clever nod to our work—and others who showed up as a Mariners player, a quirky Gen Xer, the Grinch, and a Star Trek character, each adding their own unique flair to the gathering.

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Clark Conservation Tour

Thank you to Clark Conservation District for taking SCC commission members, staff, and partners on a wonderful tour of their district last week!

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RPPP July 2024 Tour in Bellingham

Last month, two of our team were able to tour a University of Washington nursery in Seattle and Fourth Corner Nurseries in Bellingham— both of which are growing plants for use in riparian habitat restoration projects under contracts through SCC's Riparian Plant Propagation Program.

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Washington State Agency and Conservation Districts Battle Wildfires

In Washington state, the battle against wildfires is escalating, with the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) and local conservation districts joining forces with several other entities to fight wildfire, a threat which continues to grow due to an ever-changing climate.

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WSDA appoints a new commissioner to the Conservation Commission

Dr. Dani Gelardi appointed as SCC’s newest commissioner and begins her tenure on June 1, 2024

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Study suggests taking Washington farmland to create riparian buffers

A Seattle law firm, leading a state-funded study, tentatively recommends Washington use eminent domain to take farmland if voluntary conservation programs fail to meet goals for enlarging riparian buffers.

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SCC Staff Directory

James Thompson
Executive Director
Cell:  
(564) 233-9919
Jean Fike
Regional Manager – Puget Sound
Cell:  
(360) 764-0533
Jon Culp
Water Resources Program Manager
Cell:  
(509) 385-7509
Lori Gonzalez
Executive Assistant
Cell:  
(360) 791-0226
Mike Baden
Regional Manager – North Central and Northeast
Cell:  
(509) 385-7510
Nicole Boyes
Contracts Manager
Cell:  
(564) 669-3149
Paige DeChambeau
Communications Director
Cell:  
(360) 742-9488
Sarah Groth
Chief Financial Officer
Cell:  
(360) 790-3501