Whidbey Island Conservation District
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CONTACT US
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All staff are reachable by calling the office phone during business hours.
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ABOUT THE DISTRICT
About the Conservation District
Whidbey Island Conservation District is a political sub-division of state government. The Conservation District has been working with farmers, landowners, and local partners to preserve natural resources on Whidbey Island since 1967. Whidbey Island Conservation District boundaries include all of Whidbey Island. Camano Island residents petitioned to be served by the Snohomish Conservation District in 1941 before Whidbey Island Conservation District was formed in 1967, and continue to be served by the Snohomish CD.
The oversight body for the Whidbey Island Conservation District is a five-member, volunteer Board of Supervisors, made up of local farmers, landowners, and professionals. The WICD staff is a small but effective group. Our full-time staff include our District Manager, a Natural Resource Planner, and a Marketing, Education and Outreach Coordinator. Our part-time staff consists of a Farm and Forest Planner, a Farm Planner, and an Office Manager. We are generally open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, but occasionally staff are out in the field.
WICD is a member of the nationwide network of Conservation Districts - The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). NACD provides a unified, national voice for the more than 3,000 conservation districts across the United States. NACD’s member-driven board of directors selects conservation policy priorities which are used to develop and review environmental and natural resources legislation and to secure adequate federal funding for natural resources conservation programs. Visit the NACD website at nacdnet.org.
The oversight body for the Whidbey Island Conservation District is a five-member, volunteer Board of Supervisors, made up of local farmers, landowners, and professionals. The WICD staff is a small but effective group. Our full-time staff include our District Manager, a Natural Resource Planner, and a Marketing, Education and Outreach Coordinator. Our part-time staff consists of a Farm and Forest Planner, a Farm Planner, and an Office Manager. We are generally open 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday, but occasionally staff are out in the field.
WICD is a member of the nationwide network of Conservation Districts - The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). NACD provides a unified, national voice for the more than 3,000 conservation districts across the United States. NACD’s member-driven board of directors selects conservation policy priorities which are used to develop and review environmental and natural resources legislation and to secure adequate federal funding for natural resources conservation programs. Visit the NACD website at nacdnet.org.
Whidbey Island Conservation District
Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Plan of Work & Budget Approved
At the Whidbey Island Conservation District's May board meeting, held 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Wed., May 23rd, and after a public comment period of May 5th - 21st, the WICD Board Supervisors approved the Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Plan of Work and Budget. The final approved work plan and budget can be viewed under "District Documents of Interest" on the "About Us" page of the WICD website, or by clicking the image below to download a .PDF.
...Click to download & view final approved FY2019 Work Plan & Budget
Washington State Conservation Commission
2017 Annual Report
The Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC) is the coordinating state agency for all 45 conservation districts in Washington State, which includes Whidbey Island Conservation District. Together, the WSCC and conservation districts provide voluntary, incentive-based programs that empower private landowners to implement conservation on their property. Check out the accomplishments of our district, along with other conservation districts in Washington state by viewing the 2017 Annual Report below.
...Click to view 2017 Annual Report
MEET OUR BOARD SUPERVISORS
Meet Our Board
Meet the 2017-18 WICD Board. From back left: Tom Fournier, Ed Adams, Tim Keohane. From front left: Sarah Richards, Anza Muenchow. |
OverviewA board of five Supervisors, three elected and two appointed, direct the programs and policies of the Whidbey Island Conservation District. Appointed and elected positions are for 3-year terms and are served without compensation. District elections are held each spring. For more information about the Conservation District election process, click here.
Monthly Board MeetingsWICD Board meetings are generally held on the fourth Wednesday of every month in the conference room of the District office in Coupeville, 1 NE 4th St. Board meetings are open to the public. The next regularly scheduled WICD Board meeting is: Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. To view the 2018 Board Meeting Schedule for the Whidbey Island Conservation District, click here. For a copy of the upcoming board meeting agenda, please contact wicd[at]whidbeycd.org or call (888) 678-4922. |
Election Notice: Election Cancelled & Incumbent Automatically Re-elected
The election for a seat on the Whidbey Island Conservation District Board of Supervisors set for February 6, 2018, at the Whidbey Island Conservation District, 1 NE 4th Street, Coupeville, Washington has been canceled because the incumbent has been re-elected by reason of being the only person filing for the position by the filing deadline.
Therefore, no poll site, mail, or absentee balloting will be performed pursuant to WAC 135-110-370.
For further information contact the District at 360-678-4708.
Therefore, no poll site, mail, or absentee balloting will be performed pursuant to WAC 135-110-370.
For further information contact the District at 360-678-4708.
Board Member Profiles
Ed Adams Chair Ed Adams, PhD, of Oak Harbor is an emeritus faculty member of Washington State University Extension. A botanist and plant pathologist by training, he started his career teaching farmers weed management and how to control plant diseases in dryland agricultural cropping systems. He coordinated WSU Extension's water quality programming in eastern Washington and then provided administrative leadership for all of WSU Extension's agriculture and natural resource programs. Adams has served on the Washington State Conservation Commission, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Technical Advisory Committee, and USDA State Outreach Committee. Retired now and enjoying hiking, biking, and fishing on Whidbey Island, Adams is also currently serving on the Island County Marine Resources Committee. |
Sarah Richards Vice Chair Sarah Richards farms lavender on Whidbey Island and produces value-added products in her new retail and manufacturing location in Coupeville. She grew up on another island off the east coast of the USA. She has had a myriad of work experiences, including telephone installation, computer programming, and mental health counseling. She has a Masters degree in Counseling from Oregon State University. Recently she has served on the boards of the Northwest Agriculture Business Center, KWPA Radio, is a founding officer of the United States Lavender Growers Association, and was President of the Central Whidbey Chamber of Commerce for two terms. She also has a flock of chickens on her lavender farm. |
Tom Fournier Auditor Tom Fournier lives in Coupeville on Whidbey Island. Tom, who retired from federal service a few years ago, has worked previously with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Soil Conservation Service, and the Navy. He has a degree in Geography from Humboldt State College. He has volunteered regularly with the Conservation District, helping out during the annual Native Plant Sale, as well as with planting the rain garden designed and installed by WICD and partners at the Freeland Library in 2009. He also volunteers each year with the local "Hearts and Hammers" Program. Tom assists his wife, Barb, with her numerous garden projects. Together, they produce enough garden edibles to supply their own needs and to donate to the Food Bank. |
Tim Keohane Board member Tim was born in Osaka, Japan in 1948. As a military family, they moved every three years; living in Europe, North Africa, and several states, including Alaska. Upon graduating high school in 1966, Tim built a 32' fishing vessel and went to Alaska to earn money for college. After graduating with a degree in Industrial Technology/Engineering, he continued to fish commercially in Alaska and to spend the off-season involved in a variety of projects from building boats, to houses, to hydraulic lift boat trailers. Tim became more involved in agriculture when he married his wife, Paula, also a commercial fisher and farmer in Alaska, becoming involved in hay production and forestry. It was at that time they began to work with the Soil Conservation Service in developing the family homestead. Since acquiring some acreage on Whidbey Island, Tim has continued both his commercial fishing in Alaska and his involvement in farm operations and development here. His most recent effort is the development and implementation of a forest conservation plan on their 32-acres in central Whidbey. |
Anza Muenchow Board Member Anza graduated in 1975 with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a minor in Human Biology from Stanford University. Then she attended the School of Social Work at University of Washington and graduated with a Masters degree in 1979. Anza worked for Seattle P-Patch Foundation and for WSU Extension King County building community gardens and micro-farms in public housing projects in Seattle and King County. She and her husband Marc Wilson, moved from Seattle to South Whidbey in 2003 and live on their 45 acres in the Glendale watershed. The land and big wetlands are mostly in Forest Stewardship, but they have a few acres in farm. Their farm, Maha Farm, mostly provides direct sales of diverse fresh produce at seasonal farmers' markets and through a farm stand. Anza currently works for WSU Extension Island County managing the SNAP Ed Program. Her projects include creating 2 school vegetable gardens for Oak Harbor Elementary schools: Crescent Harbor and Olympic View. She provides instruction for 20 classrooms engaging children in food growing and increasing their consumption of fresh, local foods. She also is developing additional programs to provide local, fresh produce to low income communities in Island County. Anza is interested in all the education that WICD provides to the land users on our island. Her experience with forest management and in food systems has drawn her to the work of the Conservation District. |
MEET OUR STAFF
Meet Our Staff
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OverviewThe Whidbey Island Conservation District has a modest staff of 2 full-time and 6 part-time employees. For information or assistance with farm planning, forestry, engineering, alternative storm water management, backyard conservation, or other questions related to natural resource conservation on your land, please call or stop by our office located in the historic Williams House at 1 NE 4th St., Coupeville. Our office hours are Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. All staff can be reached by calling (360) 678-4708 or toll free (888)-678-4922.
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Staff Profiles
Karen Bishop District Manager Karen joined the District team in summer 2007. Karen is a graduate of Washington State University with a degree in Business Management and Operations. She is also a graduate of Class 20 of the WA Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program. Karen spent several years co-managing their family dairy farm and currently owns and operates, with her husband and son, a 700 acre crop and livestock farm in central Whidbey. She served for two years with the U.S. Peace Corps in Botswana, served on the Washington State Dairy Products Commission, regional Farm Service Agency committee, and continues to be active in her local community. Currently, Karen serves on the Board for the Northwest Agriculture Business Center. Karen manages WICD, as well as working on agricultural and conservation projects for the district. Karen is available Monday - Thursday. 
Ken Drecksel Natural Resource Planner Ken joined the District team in winter 2007. He holds a degree in General Agriculture from Washington State University with extensive Graduate studies in Soil Chemistry. Ken farmed with his parents in Olympia and Yakima areas, raising beef, hay, and apples and has extensive knowledge and interest in horticulture. Ken was a Soil Conservationist and District Conservationist at a number of locations in Washington State before retiring from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. He has extensive knowledge and experience with planning and implementing agricultural and forestry conservation practices. Ken is available Thursdays & Fridays. 
Tom Slocum District ENGINEER Tom is the Washington conservation districts’ Northwest Region engineer, providing licensed professional engineering services to San Juan Conservation District and its counterpart districts in Skagit, Whatcom, and Island counties. Tom’s background includes over twenty years of experience in the environmental field working with public agencies and consulting firms at the local, national, and international level. Tom is particularly interested in natural habitat restoration projects and has assisted individual landowners, non-profit organizations and public agencies in obtaining funding for, permitting, designing and managing construction of scores of such projects. He has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Dartmouth College, a master’s degree in civil engineering from Northeastern University, and a law degree from Seattle University. |
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DISTRICT DOCUMENTS OF INTEREST
District Documents of Interest
Learn more about the Whidbey Island Conservation District by selecting from the drop down menu below.
WICD Board meetings are generally held on the fourth Wednesday of every month in the conference room of the District office in Coupeville, 1 NE 4th St. Board meetings are open to the public.
To view the 2018 Board Meeting Schedule for the Whidbey Island Conservation District, click here.
To view the 2018 Board Meeting Schedule for the Whidbey Island Conservation District, click here.
To view an archive of past WICD Board meeting minutes and agendas, click here.
Election Notice: Election Cancelled & Incumbent Automatically Re-elected
The election for a seat on the Whidbey Island Conservation District Board of Supervisors set for February 6, 2018, at the Whidbey Island Conservation District, 1 NE 4th Street, Coupeville, Washington has been canceled because the incumbent has been re-elected by reason of being the only person filing for the position by the filing deadline.
Therefore, no poll site, mail, or absentee balloting will be performed pursuant to WAC 135-110-370.
For further information contact the District at 360-678-4708.
Therefore, no poll site, mail, or absentee balloting will be performed pursuant to WAC 135-110-370.
For further information contact the District at 360-678-4708.
The Whidbey Island Conservation District's work is guided by its board of supervisors who, in turn, receive input from the public and local and regional partners throughout the year and at regularly yearly and five-year scheduled intervals.
Each year, the Whidbey Island Conservation District summarizes its accomplishments into a succinct document that provides a comprehensive look at the work accomplished by the organization.
- Stay tuned to view the Fiscal Year 2018 Report of Accomplishments. This is still under design and creation.
- To view the Whidbey Island Conservation District's Fiscal Year 2017 Report of Accomplishments, click here.
- To view the Whidbey Island Conservation District's past Reports of Accomplishments from 2011 - 2016, click here.
Washington State Conservation Commission
2017 Annual Report
The Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC) is the coordinating state agency for all 45 conservation districts in Washington State, which includes Whidbey Island Conservation District. Together, the WSCC and conservation districts provide voluntary, incentive-based programs that empower private landowners to implement conservation on their property. Check out the accomplishments of our district on page 71 of the report, along with other conservation districts in Washington state by viewing the 2017 Annual Report below.
...Click to view 2017 Annual Report
Funding for the Whidbey Island Conservation District comes from a variety of sources, including grants, inter-local agreements with Island County, and other entities, and a local special assessment. The District also conducts an annual native plant sale.
On November 25, 2009, the Board of Island County Commissioners (BICC) approved Ordinance No. C-148-09 approving a Special Assessment to fund the Whidbey Island Conservation District's work on Whidbey Island, and the Snohomish Conservation District's work on Camano Island. Prior to the District's proposal to the Commissioners asking them to consider the special assessment, the Districts engaged Resource Consulting Service, LLC to prepare an economic analysis of the benefits the Conservation Districts' services would provide to land and landowners.
To learn more about this special assessment and to view the report, click here.
On November 25, 2009, the Board of Island County Commissioners (BICC) approved Ordinance No. C-148-09 approving a Special Assessment to fund the Whidbey Island Conservation District's work on Whidbey Island, and the Snohomish Conservation District's work on Camano Island. Prior to the District's proposal to the Commissioners asking them to consider the special assessment, the Districts engaged Resource Consulting Service, LLC to prepare an economic analysis of the benefits the Conservation Districts' services would provide to land and landowners.
To learn more about this special assessment and to view the report, click here.
In October 2016, the Whidbey Island Conservation District went through an audit by the Washington State Auditor’s office for compliance with state laws, regulations, and its own policies and procedures for January 2012 - December 2015. The District is pleased to report no findings in this audit.
- To view past audit reports, click here.
Whidbey Island Conservation District offers civil and environmental engineering services for soil, water, and habitat conservation projects on Whidbey Island. We work with private landowners, non-government organizations, and tribal and local government agencies to provide assistance with project planning, feasibility studies, engineering design, permitting and construction management on projects that help conserve natural resources. In some situations, we also can assist in obtaining grant funding for project construction.
- To learn more about WICD's qualifications, click here.
WICD's 2017 Conservation Partner Awards
Congratulations to our Conservation Partners! Click on the image to view in full size.
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2017 Northwest Area District Manager of the Year
WSCC Executive Director Mark Clark (left) and Conservation District Western Commissioner Dean Longrie (right) award WICD District Manager Karen Bishop in October 2017.
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2016 Northwest Region District of the Year
WSCC Executive Director Mark Clark and Conservation District Western Commissioner Dean Longrie award WICD's board supervisors (from left) Sarah Richards, Ed Adams, and Tom Fournier, and District Manager, Karen Bishop.
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Looking for resources not listed here?
Check out WICD's Our Services page and select the topic you're looking for - Backyard Conservation, Farm Planning, Firewise, Forest Planning, Local Agriculture, Beginning & Transitioning Farmer Resources, Water Resource Management, and Project Highlights.
If you'd like some assistance in locating a resource, please call us toll-free at (888) 678-4922.
Check out WICD's Our Services page and select the topic you're looking for - Backyard Conservation, Farm Planning, Firewise, Forest Planning, Local Agriculture, Beginning & Transitioning Farmer Resources, Water Resource Management, and Project Highlights.
If you'd like some assistance in locating a resource, please call us toll-free at (888) 678-4922.
