Passionate About Conservation

Learn about our mission and get to know the Yamhill SWCD Team

Our Mission
Meet the Board
District Staff
Partners

Conserve, Restore, and Protect

Conserve, restore, and protect Yamhill County’s natural resources by providing technical, financial, and educational assistance to citizens, landowners, and businesses.

District programs will promote voluntary adoption of land management practices by landowners that are needed to protect natural resources. Elected directors, partners, volunteers, and the public will provide local direction and leadership to the district’s programs.

What is a conservation district?

The Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District (District) is led by a locally elected board of directors whose responsibility is to plan and oversee the delivery of services and programs that help conserve and protect water and soil resources, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources in Yamhill County.  The District is a unit of local government, and implements its programs and services in partnership with volunteers, non-profits, state and federal agencies, school districts and universities, watershed councils, landowners, and many others.

Soil Protection & Regeneration

Water Quality and Quantity

Land Use and Development

Wetland and Floodplain Protection

Native Plant and Wildlife Protection

Forest and Woodland Management

Yamhill SWCD Board

Want to know your zone? Click here.

In accordance with Oregon Public Meetings Law, the board of directors of Yamhill Soil & Water Conservation District will meet the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30am at the Yamhill Valley Heritage Center,11275 SW Durham Ln, McMinnville, OR 97128. Any deviations from this schedule (special meetings, emergency meetings, etc.) will be announced on this site and posted at our office.

Next Board Meeting:

There are no upcoming events.
Barbara Boyer

Barbara Boyer

Chair, Director for McMinnville Area Zone 2

DAVE CRUICKSHANK, Vice-Chair, Director at Large for Yamhill County

Dave Cruickshank

Vice-Chair, Director at Large for Yamhill County

LEO KRICK, Secretary, Director for West Valley Area Zone 3

Leo Krick

Secretary, Director for West Valley Area Zone 3

PAT FITZGERALD, Treasurer, Director at Large for Yamhill County

Pat Fitzgerald

Treasurer, Director at Large for Yamhill County

Director Nick Chasuk

Nick Chasuk

Director for Yamhill Area Zone 1

SAM SWEENEY, Director for Dayton Area Zone 5

Sam Sweeney

Director for Dayton Area Zone 5

Board Director Michal Wert

Michal Wert

Director for NE Area Zone 4

Associate Directors

  • Lucien Gunderman
  • Ken Nygren
  • Shauna Sherick

Directors Emeritus

  • Gordon Dromgoole
  • Patricia Farrell
  • Jim LeTourneux
  • Gordon Cook

Yamhill SWCD Staff

ANDY BLECKINGER, District Manager

Andy Bleckinger

District Manager
Phone: 503-479-8643
Email: [email protected]
Contact Me About: District Operations and Policy, Budgeting, Conservation and Community Partnerships, and Board of Directors Relations.

JORDAN ANDERSON

Jordan Anderson

Resource Conservationist
Phone: 503-437-5747
Email: [email protected]
Contact Me About: Water quality, Soil health, Riparian restoration, and Pasture management.

Amie Loop-Frison

Habitat Conservation and Projects Manager
Phone503-798-8611
Email: [email protected]
Contact Me About: Wildlife, habitat enhancement/restoration, plant identification, rare and endangered species

KEITH NASMAN, Conservation & Outreach Specialist

Keith Nasman

Conservation & Outreach Specialist
Phone503-798-5221
Email: [email protected]
Contact Me About: Weed control, grant programs, outreach, district properties.

ALLISON SCHWISTER

Allison Schwister

Office Administrator
Phone503-376-7600
Email: [email protected]
Contact Me About: General Questions 

Josh Togstad

Protected Lands Manager
Phone503-798-5036
Email: [email protected]
Contact Me About: District properties, habitat enhancement/restoration, weed control recommendations.

Brady Watcherson

Brady Watcherson

Stewardship Technician and Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: 503-583-0526
Email: [email protected]
Contact Me About: Miller Woods, volunteering

Photo of Rachel Kato

Rachel Kato

Riparian Conservationist
Phone: (971)-241-9479
Email: [email protected]
Contact Me About: Riparian areas, CREP

Community Partners