Board of Directors Elections 2021

A five-member board of directors governs the Washtenaw County Conservation District. Members are elected by residents of the District during the annual meeting. Directors serve four-year terms, are non-salaried, and receive a meeting allowance and reimbursement for mileage and actual expenses only. The Board is responsible for the development and implementation of all District programs, plus financial and employee management. The Board meets monthly to hear reports from staff, plan programs and activities, approve bills and financial plans.

Due to the pandemic, this year the annual meeting will be held virtually and Director elections held by absentee ballot only. 

Absentee Voting Procedure

1. Listed below are the steps to complete and submit an absentee ballot for the District Director election of the Washtenaw County Conservation District.  Please follow these steps to submit a valid ballot.

 
Absentee ballots must be received at the Conservation District office by Thursday, January 21, 2021 at 5 p.m. in order to be counted in the election at the District Annual Meeting on Thursday, January 21, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact the Conservation District office at: (734) 302.8710
 

1. Review the candidates below to become acquainted with the Director candidates.
2. Print, complete and sign the voter registration form. 
3. Print and complete ballot by placing an “X” or check mark in the space provided only for the number of candidates as instructed on the ballot.  2021 ballot available here. 
4. Include proof of residency with your absentee vote. Proof of residency examples include: a photocopy of a driver’s license or bill with your name and address. Ballot will not be counted if you do not provide proof of residency. 
5. Return voter registration form and ballot along with proof of residency to the Washtenaw County Conservation district at: 705 N. Zeeb Rd, Suite 201, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. To be eligible, ballot must be received by the date listed above.  

Absentee ballots are also accepted at the WCCD office. Voters may fill out a registration form and ballot at the office and provide proof of residency during office hours M-F, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 705 N. Zeeb Rd, Suite 201, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. 

2021 Director Candidates

Jill Dohner

 Jill Dohner has been serving on the Washtenaw County Conservation District board for 8 years now. Jill owns Rustic Roots Farm where she tends honeybees, laying chickens, a fruit orchard and garden, and woodworking shop. She has lived in the county for over 20 years. Jill has worked with other conservation groups including tree planting organizations, and brings a background of forestry, agriculture, and working with old and new farmers. Dohner is seeking a third term as the district heads into a greater future with the millage passing and potential to expand  programming and outreach.

Jill has seen the Conservation District grow over these past years and re-invigorate new and old farmers in better conservation practices. She is excited for what the WCCD can accomplish in Washtenaw County. There are many opportunities for WCCD's future including:  ever-expanding tree and native plants species  offered, encouraging planting of school gardens, offering a wide variety of workshops geared to those with a ¼ acre of land to 100 acres of land, and more. Alongside bringing in newer employees with greater technical expertise, Jill will help enable the district to make a larger impact on the diverse agricultural population of Washtenaw County. She looks forward to continuing these efforts for the district. 

Hannah Bradshaw

Hannah Bradshaw has been involved with the Conservation District since May 2018, first as an intern and more recently as an Associate Board Director. She is currently a student at the University of Michigan and has worked at the UM Museum of Natural History and the City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation. When not working or in class, she likes to spend time outside with her dog Blue at her home in Manchester.