Clallam Conservation District conservation planner Meghan Adamire was recognized by the Washington State Conservation Commission as the Washington Association of Conservation Districts Northwest Area Employee of the Year.

Adamire began working for the Clallam Conservation District as a summer intern in 2003. Following her graduation from Oregon State University in the spring of 2004, she was hired as a full-time employee. Born and raised in Clallam County, she has strong ties to the area and a thorough knowledge and understanding of the local landscape and landowners.

That, combined with her bachelor's degree double major in animal sciences and rangeland management, helped her to pick up the technical aspects of her job quickly and, perhaps more importantly, earn the respect and admiration of landowners.

Adamire's primary duties involve managing the conservation reserve enhancement program and the family forest fish passage program and providing conservation technical assistance to farming operations. In addition, she is the lead staff person for the district soil testing program and the annual native plant sale and she edits the quarterly newsletter.

In 2007, manager Joe Holtrop and former conservation planner Clea Rome received similar awards. In addition, the Clallam Conservation District was named the District of the Year for the state in 2007.

The conservation district has three full-time and two half-time employees. Their salaries and benefits totaled less than 6 percent of the $4.25 million 2007 budget. More than 90 percent of the expenditures in 2007 were for implementation of on-the-ground conservation practices. Grants comprised more than 99 percent of the conservation district revenue.

The Clallam Conservation District is governed by a five-member board of supervisors. Three of the five are elected by Clallam County electors and the other two are appointed by the Washington State Conservation Commission. Current board members are Joe Murray, Ben Smith, Don Hatler, Nash Huber and Marilyn Pollock.