Mission Statement:

The Polk Soil and Water Conservation District provides leadership to help people improve, conserve, and sustain our natural resources. We strive to educate the public about sustainable land use practices that reduce erosion, improve water quality, and support the environmental resilience of central Iowa.

OUR LEADERS

Polk Soil and Water Conservation District is led by a board of five elected commissioners who serve four-year or two-year terms. This board provides oversight and leadership to serve Polk County residents and achieve the district’s mission.

Commissioner

Chip Mathis

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Commissioner

Cindy Valin

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Commissioner

Wade Hauser III

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Commissioner

Paul Gibbons

Paul Gibbins currently serves as the Regional Director for Polk County. In this role within Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach, Gibbins provides leadership by ensuring the Polk County Extension council meets their obligations as an elected body and oversees educational programming and delivery to meet the needs of the residents in the region.

 

Gibbins is also responsible for initiating strategies to grow and develop area volunteer and partner networks, identify innovate methods and opportunities to reach all Iowans especially those who are under-served and under-represented, and manage the Region’s staff, finances, contracts, and grant opportunities.

 

Paul lives in Des Moines with his wife Beth and has four adult children.  He enjoys being outside, riding his bicycle and spending time with family and friends.

Commissioner

Lee Tesdell

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Our Staff

Urban Conservationist

Jennifer Welch

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NRCS District Conservationist

Clint Miller

Clint Miller has been the NRCS District Conservationist in Polk County since 2018. He works with agricultural producers to address their natural resource concerns by implementing technical and financial assistance programs on behalf of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Easter Lake Watershed Coordinator

Cody Acevedo

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WQI Coordinator

Michael James

Michael James is the Watershed Coordinator at Polk Soil and Water Conservation. He works with agricultural partners, organizations, and communities throughout the county to connect resources and identify opportunities for conservation and improvement of natural resources.


Michael graduated from Duke University with a masters degree in Environmental Management. He is currently working toward a masters degree in Agronomy at Iowa State University.

IDALS Conservation Assistant

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OPEN ROLES

Assistant Commissioner

Positions 

Soil Conservationist

Positions 

ABOUT US

5 Year Plan

News

Monthly Meetings

EMPLOYMENT & VOLUNTEERING

Polk Soil and Water

Conservation District

1513 North Ankeny Blvd., Suite 3

Ankeny, IA, 50023

(515) 964 1883 ext. 3

Monday – Friday

7:30 am – 4:00 pm

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Polk Soil and Water

Conservation District

1513 North Ankeny Blvd., Suite 3

Ankeny, IA, 50023

(515) 964 1883 ext. 3

Monday – Friday

7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Polk Soil and Water

Conservation District

1513 North Ankeny Blvd., Suite 3

Ankeny, IA, 50023

(515) 964 1883 ext. 3

Monday – Friday

7:30 am – 4:00 pm

Polk Soil and Water Conservation District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider.

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