Join the Board

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 5, 2024. Candidates and districts must follow specific guidelines to advertise the elections and to have candidates’ applications processed and placed on the ballot. ODA notifies the districts and county clerks which positions are to be on the ballot for election, the procedures to follow, and deadlines needing to be met. Candidates and districts are responsible to submit the appropriate paperwork to the local county clerk and to ODA.

Requirements for Being an SWCD Director

An individual may qualify for a zone position if the land ownership or land management requirements are met. For Option #1, a zone director must own or manage 10 or more acres of land in the district. Zone directors may either:

Reside within the zone that is represented and own or manage 10 or more acres in the conservation district boundaries OR reside within the conservation district boundaries and own or manage 10 or more acres within the zone that is being represented.
Be involved in the active management of the property.
Be a registered voter.

An individual may qualify for a zone position in lieu of the land ownership or management requirements in Option #1. For Option #2, a zone director must:

Reside within the zone that is represented.
Have served one year as a director or associate director of a conservation district.
Have a conservation plan approved by the conservation district board.
Be a registered voter. At-Large Director Eligibility There are no land ownership or management requirements for at-large positions. At-Large Directors must:
Reside within the boundaries of the conservation district.
Be a registered voter.

SWCD Director Responsibilities

In order 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

What zone am i located in?

Find out what zone you're located in by clicking on one of the maps below. The interactive GIS map allows you to choose a layer for 'zones'. You can zoom in and easily find your SWCD zone.