About Us

Soil and Water Conservation districts are state-authorized entities that develop, manage, and direct natural resource programs at the local level. Districts have been around since before Alaska was a state. Alaska’s conservation districts were established after the Territory of Alaska passed legislation in 1947 that authorized their formation. Our programs are driven by our five-member Board of volunteer Supervisors and the resource concerns brought to them from our cooperators.

One crucial niche Alaska's districts fill is that of providing soil and water conservation services to owners of private lands -- from individuals of small parcels to Alaska Native organizations owning thousands of acres. Helping landowners learn about and manage their lands and waters, whether for forestry, agriculture, recreation, or other uses, is key to economic sustainability and local quality of life.

Board Members

Districts are made up of cooperators (land owners or managers willing to voluntarily work to conserve and use natural resources). From this group of cooperators, a five-member board is elected to direct the activities of the district.

Current Homer District Supervisors:

Chris Rainwater (Chairman)

Chris was born and raised in Alaska, having spent most of his time on his family’s homestead near the Head of Kachemak Bay. Chris has extensive knowledge of the area’s natural resources, and has been involved in ranching, raising hay, gold mining, and construction work. Chris is an active member of the Kenai Peninsula Farm Bureau and currently is serving as the president of the Alaska Association of Conservation Districts.

 

 

Otto Kilcher (Vice Chairman)

Otto lives on the family homestead on East End Road. He ranches and operates a boat transportation service. The Kilcher family has a long and colorful history around the Homer area. Otto raises hay and cattle on the homestead and sits on the Kenai Peninsula Cooperative Weed Management Area Council and is an active member of the Kenai Peninsula Farm Bureau.

 

Jason Ritter (Treasurer)

Jason is an entreprenuer of many talents. He has farmed rhodiola and hemp in Alaska and in the Lower 48. He joined the board in 2020.

 

Charles Trowbridge (Secretary)

Charlie has been all around the state, but worked for years for Fish & Game in Prince William Sound. He is now retired but keeps busy with music, gardening, friends and a myriad of hobbies. He joined the board in 2022.

 

Jim Engebretsen (AACD Representative)

Jim Engebretsen has been in and around Anchor Point since 1974, and had the first high tunnel contract with the NRCS’s EQIP program. A local grower of a myriad of things, his specialties include particularly tasty French fingerling potatoes and gooseberries. When he’s not farming, he’s commercial salmon fishing on a driftboat. Jim is attuned to the community and after filling in on the board, has decided to take a seat with us. Here he is pictured with his Kenai Peninsula Fair 2014/15 first-place Zucchini Cocozelle from Italian stock.

 

 

 

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Board Minutes and Agendas

Board typically meets on the second Wednesday of each month, and all meetings are open to the public.

Agenda Minutes
March 2020  
February 2020 February 2020
January 2020 January 2020
December 2019 December 2019
November 2019 November 2019
October 2019 October 2019
September 2019 September 2019
August 2019 August 2019
July 2019 July 2019
June 2019 June 2019
May 2019 May 2019
April 2019 April 2019
March 2019 March 2019
February 2019 February 2019
January 2019 January 2019
December 2018 December 2018
November 2018 November 2018
October 2018 October 2018
September 2018 September 2018
August 2018 August 2018
July 2018 July 2018
June 2018 June 2018
May 2018 May 2018
April 2018 April 2018
March 2018 March 2018
February 2018 February 2018
January 2018 January 2018
December 2017 December 2017
November 2017 November 2017
October 2017 October 2017
September 2017 September 2017
August 2017 August 2017
July 2017 July 2017
June 2017 June 2017
May 2017 May 2017
April 2017 April 2017
March 2017 March 2017
February 2017 February 2017
January 2017 January 2017
December 14th, 2016 December 14th, 2016
November 9th, 2016 November 9th, 2016

October 12th, 2016 

October 12th, 2016

September 14th, 2016 September 14th, 2016


 

Local Conservation Solutions

About Us

The District Board at a strategic planning session.

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