September 8, 2025
When the Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District (UWSWCD) was looking for new leadership, one candidate stood out among several highly qualified finalists for the position: their own Conservation Project Manager and acting District Manager, Lily Leitermann.
Lily started with the District in 2015 as a watershed technician, and has a long record of taking on increasingly more responsible roles. In her ten-year tenure, Lily has led vital programs that improve and protect water quality, restore native habitats along riverbanks, promote collaboration across various sectors, encourage inclusive and equitable initiatives, uphold Tribal Partnership and Decolonization commitments, and support healthy soils and regenerative practices on local farms.
As the Conservation Program Manager, Lily spearheaded District support and collaboration on important projects like the Pure Water Partners Holiday Farm Fire recovery project and helped establish the new ‘fire-adapted landscapes’ program.
Now as District Manager, Lily is eager to guide the District toward a sustainable future, inviting everyone to participate in environmental stewardship and empowering the community. She will provide leadership to the organization’s 9-member staff, manage the organization’s $3 million annual budget, and work collaboratively with the District’s publicly elected board of directors. Lily believes that “Together, we can restore balance and reciprocity to foster a healthier relationship with nature, benefiting future generations.”
Karl Morgenstern, the District’s board chair says that “Lily brings outstanding awareness and experience with natural resource conservation issues in our region, along with strong organizational leadership skills. She exemplifies our organization’s values of collaboration, voluntary stewardship, and locally led conservation planning. We are confident that Lily will provide the vision and dedication to lead our organization through our next chapter of growth and expansion.”
