District Staff
District Manager
Ken has been with the Latah SWCD since 1999. He was originally hired to manage the Latah SWCD’s first water quality grant from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. He became the District Manager in 2000 when the Board reorganized in an effort to build more diverse programs. Ken is a forester by training with degrees from the University of Idaho. He worked as the Natural Resources Director for the Suquamish Indian Tribe in Washington State for eight years and was with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic. He has truly enjoyed assisting the Board of Supervisors over the last two decades as they focused their energy towards building strong and diverse programs around great staff assisting landowners and managers (private and public) throughout Latah County and the region. When not at his little desk working in the background, he is probably wandering the backroads of the Northwest … trying not to get stuck or lost.
Resource Conservation Planner
Trish began her conservation career studying boreal and saw-whet owls, flying squirrels, and mountain quail. She began working at the Latah SWCD in 2003 working on minimum-tillage and erosion control projects. Currently Trish focuses on riparian and wetland restoration. This work includes trapping “nuisance” beavers and relocating them to places where they can help restore our watersheds. She enjoys getting to work with private landowners who are enthusiastic and committed to making changes for the better on their land and being part of an agency that uses innovative approaches and has a forward-thinking, holistic perspective.
Resource Conservation Planner
Brenda joined the Latah SWCD staff in 2011 and works on Palouse Prairie, riparian, and meadow restoration as well as vegetation monitoring and outreach. Her projects include Spalding’s catchfly recovery efforts, pollinator and Monarch butterfly habitat restoration, and steelhead habitat work. In her spare time, Brenda enjoys skiing, being outside with her family, and walking slowly to look at native plants.
Resource Conservation Planner & IT Manager
Jason started at the Latah SWCD in the spring of 2010 on the field crew. By 2013 he was working as the Field Operations Manager, IT Manager, and Resource Conservation Planner, but recently transitioned to focus as a Resource Conservation Planner, IT Manager, and develop a drone program at the Latah SWCD. He feels that the best parts about working at the Latah SWCD are working with coworkers, board members, the field crew, the landowners, being outside occasionally, and the flexibility offered in developing projects and programs at the Latah SWCD.
Field Operations Manager
Aven has been working at the Latah SWCD since 2013. She currently manages the Natural Resource Technicians who make up the seasonal field crew. Aven got her start at the District working as a member of the field crew and loves getting to do hands-on work that benefits local landowners, residents, and wildlife. When not working she can be found exploring Latah County and beyond with family and friends.
Field Operations Manager
George started on the field crew in 2013 and currently manages equipment/facilities and the seasonal field crew. He enjoys working outside, the flexibility of adaptively managing implementation to develop new methods and techniques, and contributing to the improvement of the watershed’s health. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and backpacking North Idaho and the surrounding area.