District Staff
The District Staff is made up of dedicated professionals who bring unique expertise and knowledge to conserve resources on the Palouse.
District Manager and Chief Financial Officer
Ryan Lawrence
Ryan joined the LSWCD in 2025, He is a 4th generation Idahoan and co-owner of his family’s farm and ranch in Clearwater County. Raised in Kendrick, Ryan learned firsthand the value of hard work and land stewardship, spending his youth tending cattle and working fields alongside his father and grandfather.
​
In 2020, he and his brother purchased the family operation, continuing the tradition of responsible land management and sustainable agricultural practices. His experience running a working farm gives him a deep understanding of the challenges local producers face, from soil health to water access and regulatory issues.
In addition to his on-the-ground agricultural work, Ryan brings a strong background in public service and rural advocacy. He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Boise State University and earned his J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law. He has interned with various state and federal leaders and serves on the Kendrick School Board. Ryan is committed to protecting the future of working lands and ensuring local producers have a voice in conservation efforts that affect their livelihoods.
In his free time, Ryan enjoys officiating high school sports and staying engaged in his local church community.
Resource Conservation Planner
Palouse Prairie and Wetland Restoration Specialty
Brenda Erhardt
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
Fisheries and Wetland Restoration Specialty
Andy Hill
Andy joined the District staff in 2022. He appreciates working with a passionate group of Supervisors and staff toward a common goal of conservation on the Palouse.
Resource Conservation Planner
Conservation Agriculture and Forestry Specialty
Jen Elliott
Jen joined the Latah SWCD in the spring of 2022 after running her own grass-fed beef operation in Troy, Idaho for 16 years. Jen ran the day-to-day operations on the farm including handling livestock, crop management, bookkeeping, marketing, processing and direct sales to local consumers. Jen served on the District Board for two years prior to being hired. She has a background in Environmental Education as well as specializes in native plant restoration and land use planning as a Landscape Architect. She is looking forward to working with landowners and regional partners to further the conservation work of the District. Her interests are in bridging the gap between research and practical application to build soil health on farms in our community, native plant restoration and to address natural resource concerns at the watershed and regional scale. When not engaged in conservation work, Jen enjoys creating art, digging in the garden and spending time outdoors on rivers and trails in the wilderness with family and friends.
Assistant Resource Conservation Planner
Holly Embry
Holly joined the Latah SWCD crew in 2019 after graduating from the University of Idaho with degrees in sustainable agriculture and nutrition. Now, she currently helps coordinate the seasonal field crew and outreach & education programs. Holly loves partnering with the community to restore and protect our environment. In her free time, she enjoys growing flowers, camping with friends and family, and staying active.
Field Operations Manager
George Zamora
George joined the District in 2013 and currently wears many hats, managing the seasonal field crew, IT infrastructure, and running the Drone program. 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.