Skagit Conservation District
Serving Skagit County Since 1942
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For general inquiries, please reach out to us at 360-428-4313 or email skagitcd@skagitcd.org
For specific questions, take a look at our staff page and reach out to the staff member who best fits your needs.
If you are interested in conservation work on your property, please fill out our Assistance Request form.
Our office is open to the public. While not required, we encourage you to make an appointment in advance before visiting to ensure the appropriate staff member is available when you stop by.
If you would like to make an appointment, please see our staff webpage for contact information.
Providing natural resource support and education to Skagit county since 1942
About Us
The Mission of the Skagit Conservation District
To bring voluntary, incentive-based natural resource solutions to the citizens of Skagit County and beyond by providing technical, financial, and educational resources.
The District works with landowners and farm operators to plan and implement conservation practices on private land. The District is a non-regulatory agency; therefore, all practices implemented by landowners and farm operators who work with the District and participate in its programs (cooperators) are on a voluntary basis.
The District’s success is tied to cooperation with other agencies and organizations and with local tribes. The District works closely with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA); the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), the Commission, the Washington State Department of Ecology (ECY), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and other state agencies; Skagit County; local tribes; and many other organizations, such as the Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland (SPF), the Skagit Watershed Council (SWC), and the Western Washington Agricultural Association (WWAA).
Our History
What is a Conservation District?
After the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s, there was a national recognition of the need to conserve our natural resources. To combat the erosion crisis a bill to establish a permanent agency for soils passed unanimously. Letters were sent across the US urging governors to create soil districts locally. It was understood that they needed people who knew the land, the local concerns and the famers needs to be successful. States committed to Hugh Hammond Bennet’s vision of restoring our countries farmland and the number of Districts grew, now resting at over 3,000.
Hugh Hammond Bennett: The Story of America’s Private Lands Conservation Movement
W-742-9. 3/27/52. Supervisors of Skagit Soil Conservation District. Left to right --Jess Knutzen, Director of the State Association; Albert Gerriets, Vice Chairman; James T. Ovenell, Chairman; W. James Wylie, Secretary-Treasurer; and W. E. Jennings, member. Photo by A. F. Harms
The Skagit Conservation District has served the county since 1942. We have a reputation for putting conservation on the ground, meeting the current needs of our people, while planning for future generations. Our programs reduce soil erosion, help dairies achieve nutrient management standards, enhance wildlife habitat, establish riparian zones, assist in shellfish protection, and educate local citizens about our watersheds.
Administration
District Manager
Bookkeeper
Office Assistant
Emmett Wild joined Skagit CD in 2018, first as Senior Farm Planner and later as District Manager. Emmett brings more than 20 years of experience with livestock and land management to his work at the District and enjoys the opportunity to grow services for our community. He has a strong track-record of developing innovative solutions and enhancing existing programs through collaboration. Emmett operates a small farm in Stanwood.
Denise joined as our Full Charge Bookkeeper in February 2016. She loves Skagit Valley and cannot imagine living anywhere else. She came to us with a background of being an Office Manager for a construction company. She said: "I love the people I work with here at SCD. This is the best job I have ever had." In her off time she likes to read, listen to music, watch movies, and visit with her daughters.
Kelsey joined SCD as our Office Assistant in 2024. Before joining the District, she worked for a local ophthalmic practice for several years. Her experience in office administration and her passion for our natural world ultimately led her to the District, where she enjoys helping our team in the office and interfacing with our community. When she is not at work, she spends her free time reading or hiking.
Planning and Restoration
Senior Farm Planner
Farm Planner
GIS/CREP Coordinator
Habitat Stewardship Coordinator
Jeffery Frazier joined SCD in 2013. Jeff’s agricultural background, experience, and overall love for the agricultural community, ultimately led him to coming to the District. Today, Jeff is our Senior Farm Planner and works alongside our other planner to help dairies, commercial, and small farms with managing their natural resources. Jeff has 4 adult sons, a small hay farm, and is a varsity assistant football coach.
Ryan grew up on a small farm in Whatcom County where they raised cattle for milk and beef. After majoring in environmental science at Western Washington University he spent a couple of years working for the WSDA and Snohomish Conservation District before coming to Skagit CD in 2023 where he is a farm planner who works to help dairies and other small farms to manage their natural resources. When Ryan is off the clock, you will find him playing baseball, climbing, sailing or spending time at home with his partner, dog, and cat.
Kelsey joined SCD as our Office Assistant in 2024. Before joining the District, she worked for a local ophthalmic practice for several years. Her experience in office administration and her passion for our natural world ultimately led her to the District, where she enjoys helping our team in the office and interfacing with our community. When she is not at work, she spends her free time reading or hiking.
Forester
Wildfire Resilience Technician
Wildfire Resilience Specialist
Nick holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry and Natural Resources and professional certifications in GIS, wetlands, dendrochronology, and wildland fire, with extensive experience across private, state, federal and tribal forestlands.
He assists landowners through our forestry program which provides no-cost, voluntary technical assistance for developing integrated forest management plans for cost share eligibility. In addition to planning services, the program provides all landowners with resources on establishing and maintaining healthy trees and forests, natural resource conservation practices, local forest products resources, tree farm certification for eligible forest landowners, and supports outreach and education for a variety community groups, students, educators, and forest landowners.”
Denise joined as our Full Charge Bookkeeper in February 2016. She loves Skagit Valley and cannot imagine living anywhere else. She came to us with a background of being an Office Manager for a construction company. She said: "I love the people I work with here at SCD. This is the best job I have ever had." In her off time she likes to read, listen to music, watch movies, and visit with her daughters.
Kelsey joined SCD as our Office Assistant in 2024. Before joining the District, she worked for a local ophthalmic practice for several years. Her experience in office administration and her passion for our natural world ultimately led her to the District, where she enjoys helping our team in the office and interfacing with our community. When she is not at work, she spends her free time reading or hiking.