Umpqua SWCD is recruiting for two  Zone Director positions to be appointed by the Umpqua SWCD Board of Directors to serve until the next general election.

Zone 2:  Includes the areas of Ash Valley/Loon Lake Area, Scottsburg, Wells Creek, Lutsinger Creek areas, and portions of the Lower and Upper Smith River. 

Zone 3:  Includes the areas of Sawyers Rapids, the Elkton area, Riverside, Kellogg, 5-miles beyond the Elk Creek Tunnel, and portions of Upper Smith River.

Eligibility Information

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) Natural Resources Program oversees the conservation district elections process. Elections for SWCD directors occur every two years. The next General Election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Director zone boundaries can be found by looking on the Umpqua SWCD Zone Map or by going to ODA’s interactive Director Zone Map located at the arcGIS website

Requirements for eligibility:

• Zone directors must be registered voters and reside within the zone they represent. 
• Own or manage 10 or more acres of land in the zones they represent in the district and be involved in the active management of the land; or
• Indicate an interest in natural resource conservation as demonstrated by serving at least one year as a director or associated director of a district and having a conservation plan that is approved by the district.

Map of the Umpqua Soil and Water Conservation District

SWCD Director Responsibilities:

To effectively exercise the powers and authorities as stated in ORS 568, conservation district boards:

• Identify local conservation needs, programs, and services
• Keep its conservation district’s mission (“reason for being”) in focus
• Work effectively with conservation district staff, cooperating agencies, and partners
• Implement conservation district programs effectively
• Be knowledgeable about laws that govern board operations, such as budget, audit, public meetings, and contracting
• Develop and implement a long-range plan and an annual work plan
• Report to the public on conservation district programs and accomplishments
• Inform legislators and local government officials of conservation district accomplishments
• Recruit, train, and utilize volunteers and associate directors
• Participate with the Oregon Department of Agriculture in a periodic review of conservation district operations
• Recruit new conservation district directors and associate directors
• Seek new partners in conservation efforts