Interested in helping shape conservation in Marion County?
Marion Soil & Water Conservation District (Marion SWCD) has several Board positions currently open to write-in candidates for the November 2026 General Election (held November 3, 2026).
Serving on the Marion SWCD Board is a meaningful opportunity to contribute to your community, help guide local conservation efforts, and bring your knowledge, experience, and perspective to a team working to advance the districts mission to “support thriving lands, clean water, and healthy habitats“ throughout Marion County.
We welcome individuals who are interested in natural resource conservation and who bring a variety of experiences, perspectives, skills, and connections to our conservation community.
Board Positions Open to Write-In Candidates
The following Marion SWCD Board positions are currently open to write-in candidates:
- Zone 1
- Zone 2
- Zone 3
- Zone 5
Who Is Eligible?
To serve as a Marion SWCD zone director, a candidate must:
- Be a registered voter, and
- Reside within the zone they wish to represent.
Marion County does not have an acreage requirement for zone directors. ODA identifies Marion County as one of the Oregon counties where zone directors only need to be registered voters and residents of the zone they represent.*(*These eligibility requirements took effect January 1, 2024, following the passage of Senate Bill 775 during the 2023 Oregon legislative session.)
Not sure which zone you live in? Use the Oregon Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Zone Map to enter your address and confirm which Soil & Water Conservation District serves your area and which zone you live in.
How to Become a Write-In Candidate
Because no candidate filed to have their name placed on the ballot for these positions (Zones 1, 2, 3, and 5), they are open to qualified write-in candidates. Individuals interested in serving as a board member in one of these zones must simply complete the Declaration of Intent and Request for Write-In Votes to be Tallied for District Director form and submit it to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA).
The deadline to submit the form is 5:00 p.m. on October 20, 2026.
Important Information About the Form
The current write-in form asks candidates to explain how they meet the eligibility requirements, including providing addresses for any actively managed properties.
For Marion County zone director candidates, eligibility can be explained by stating that the candidate resides in the zone they are seeking to represent and is a registered voter. Marion County does not have the additional acreage/land-management requirement that applies in some other Oregon counties.
Where to Submit Your Form
Completed forms must be submitted directly to Sandi Hiatt at the Oregon Department of Agriculture by 5:00 p.m. October 20, 2026.
By email:
sandi.hiatt@oda.oregon.gov
By mail or in person:
Oregon Department of Agriculture
Attn: Grants Administrative Officer
635 Capitol St. NE, Suite 100
Salem, OR 97301
Note: The current ODA write-in form provides these submission instructions and deadline.
What Does Board Service Offer You?
Serving on the Marion SWCD Board is an opportunity to contribute to your community while gaining experience, knowledge, and connections that can extend beyond your time on the Board.
Board service can provide opportunities to:
- Expand your community and professional network by working with fellow Directors, District staff, conservation partners, landowners, and community organizations
- Build leadership and governance experience through participation in local decision-making and organizational oversight
- Develop new skills through hands-on experience with budgets, policies, strategic planning, and District operations
- Learn more about conservation and natural resource issues affecting Marion County
- Participate in optional trainings designed to support Directors in their roles and build their knowledge and skills
- Gain experience in public service and learn more about how a local conservation district operates
- Connect your existing knowledge and experience to meaningful community work
- Build relationships with people working across agriculture, natural resources, conservation, and community development
- Make a tangible contribution to your community through local public service
***You do not need previous experience serving on a conservation district board to serve. Directors bring a wide range of professional, community, agricultural, environmental, financial, educational, organizational, and lived experiences to their work.***
What Does It Mean to Serve on the Marion SWCD Board?
Soil & Water Conservation Districts work with local communities to support conservation and natural resource stewardship.
Marion SWCD is governed by a seven-member elected Board of Directors. The Board provides oversight that is essential to the District’s ability to carry out its work and serve the community. Board directors help provide leadership and direction for the District and work alongside staff, landowners, partners, agencies, and community members.
While board service is a voluntary, unpaid position, board members are essential to the day-to-day operations and overall functionality of the district in which they serve.
As a Director, You Will Work Collectively with the Board to:
- Help guide the District’s priorities, programs, and policies
- Help ensure District programs reflect the needs and interests of the communities we serve
- Review and approve the District’s annual budget and financial reports
- Work with the District Manager to support effective District operations
- Help establish goals and evaluate progress toward those goals
- Connect with landowners, partners, organizations, and community members
- Participate in Board and committee meetings and contribute to discussions and decisions
- Help ensure the District conducts its business ethically, transparently, and responsibly
What Is the Time Commitment?
Directors attend the Board meeting held on the first Wednesday of each month (6:30-9:00PM), which typically lasts ~ 2.5 hours. Board and committee meetings are offered both in person and virtually via Zoom, providing flexibility for Directors who may have work, family, or other commitments that make attending in person difficult.
Directors also serve on the District’s Budget Committee, which typically meets once or twice each year (during the winter months). Most Directors participate in one or more additional committees, including the Administration, Natural Resources, and Education & Outreach Committees. These committees provide an opportunity for Directors to work more closely with District staff, learn about and discuss team and partner projects, and engage more deeply with District grants, programs, and other areas of work. Committee meetings typically occur a handful of times each year.
Directors generally spend about 1-1.5 hours monthly reviewing Board packets and related materials.
Directors are also welcome to attend and participate in District education, outreach, and community events, providing opportunities to connect with landowners, partners, and community members. Participation in these events is appreciated but is not a requirement of Board service.
Term of Service
Most of the positions open in the 2026 election are for four-year terms running from 2026–2030.
Zone 1 is a partial term running from 2026–2028. This position was previously filled by appointment for the remainder of the term that began in 2024, so the individual elected in 2026 will serve the remaining two years of that four-year term.
Why Board Service Matters
Marion SWCD relies on its elected Directors to provide the governance and oversight necessary for the District to operate and fulfill its mission.
A Board with a range of perspectives, experiences, knowledge, and community connections can help the District better understand and respond to the conservation needs of Marion County.
Whether your experience is in agriculture, natural resources, business, finance, education, community organizing, public service, or another area, your perspective may greatly contribute to the work of Marion SWCD.
Board service is an opportunity to volunteer your time and talents in support of conservation—and to help shape the future of conservation in Marion County.
Have Questions?
Questions about the write-in election process or eligibility can be directed to:
Sandi Hiatt
Oregon Department of Agriculture
sandi.hiatt@oda.oregon.gov
Questions about serving on the Marion SWCD Board can be directed to:
Brenda Sanchez, District Manager
Marion Soil & Water Conservation District
Brenda.Sanchez@marionswcd.net
Questions about Marion SWCD, our conservation work, our programs and services, or how we work with landowners, partners, and the community can be directed to:
Amy Zimmer, Communications and Outreach Specialist
Marion Soil & Water Conservation District
Amy.Zimmer@marionswcd.net
Marion SWCD provides this information to help community members understand the Board service opportunity and the write-in process. The District does not endorse or recommend candidates.
Marion SWCD prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the District Manager at 503-871-7311.
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