Directors:
William Reid, Chair – At Large 2:
Bill has lived in the Illinois Valley for over 37 years and was elected to the board in 2007. He is retired from the real estate business but still works in property management between his time in his vineyard. His interests include viticulture, electronics, and investment.
Rhett Nelsen – Zone 2:
Rhett was appointed to this position at the February 28, 2019 monthly board meeting. He has lived in the Illinois Valley all his life and operates the Sweet Cron farm with his family. He is also an active member of the Farm Bureau.
Robert Webb, Vice Chair – Zone 3:
Bob spent that last 47 years in the Illinois Valley and has served in the Zone 3 seat since 2000. His interests include farming, agriculture, produce, and meat. Bob has enjoyed his life in the Valley working with timber, farming, and lumber industries and looks forward to another 47 years here.
Jim Gurley – At Large 1:
Jim has lived in the Illinois Valley for 28 years and was elected to the board for zone 5 in 2016. He is retired from the tech industry and has been a volunteer firefighter for 10 years. Jim owns ½ mile of creek frontage and is hoping to apply good science to the SWCD’s decision making process.
Janet Walker – Zone 1:
Jan was born in Oregon, has lived in the Illinois Valley for over 16 years and has spent 13 of those years on the board. Her interests include protecting salmon, hiking, bird watching, saving the planet, and protecting our rivers and streams. Jan is also sits on the Rusk Rank Board and Federation of Western Outdoor Clubs Board.
Katrina Poydack – Zone 4:
Katrina was born in Southern Oregon and has lived here on and off her entire life. She has served on the board for over 4 years and is interested in forest health, fire restoration, salmon, biodiversity, hiking and fishing.
Bob Schmidt – Zone 5:
Bob has lived in the valley since 2011 and recently joined the board a year ago. His main interests include salmon, healthy forests, beaver, bringing more beaver to the valley, and ensuring water quantity and quality.
Associate Directors:
Carol Crawford:
Carol has lived in the Illinois Valley for over 30 years, 7 of which she has spent on the board as an Associate Director. She is a part of the Back Country Horsemen, Sourdough Chapter and loves spending time on a trail. She is an animal lover and takes pleasure in the simple farm style life. Her interests include horses, trails, farming, and ranching.
Don Young:
Don has lived in the Illinois Valley for over 30 years and was appointed to the board as an Associate Director in 2002. He has a background in natural resource management, geography, environmental studies and mining. He is an active member of the Sierra Club and his interests include riparian restoration, mining, and forestry.
Gene Merrill:
Gene was born and raised in the Illinois Valley and has served on the board since 2016 as Associate Director. He works at the Illinois Valley High School as College and Career Coordinator and is involved in the IV Booster Club and the Valley Evangelical Free Church. He is passionate about outdoor recreation, sustainable farming, and our Valley’s natural resources.
Travis Robbins:
Travis has lived in the Illinois Valley for over 10 years and was recently appointed as an Associate Director in 2018. He is the Public Works Director for the City of Cave Junction. His interests include water quality and quantity, the Boys and Girls Club, and Little League.
Joy McEwen:
Joy is a beekeeper with a Masters Degree in Environmental Science. You may know her from the Diggin’ Livin’ natural foods store in Cave Junction. She was the founding board President for the Spiral Living Center and has served on the Dome School Board for two years. Joy has also been asked to serve on the National Advisory Committee for Bio-dynamic Apiculture.