Employee Spotlight: Wendee Dodds, Ohio
 The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) recognizes the importance of local leadership to the success of conservation outcomes. Conservation district employees are critical to the conservation planning process and this spotlight article features a district field employee who embraces the benefits of conservation planning.
A good listener, trustworthiness, and attention to detail are the qualities that have been communicated by conservation customers when describing Natural Resources Specialist, Wendee Dodds. She has been employed by the Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District, located in east central Ohio, for over 20 years and has strived to engage the traditional farmer in addressing resource concerns on their lands by promoting and facilitating good planning decisions. With the hilly topography and various land use changes occurring in the county, smaller operations have become a reality and Dodds has a reputation of building sound relationships with new farm families and she has displayed much readiness in her ability to help to guide them toward programs that match their goals for their operations.
Managed intensive grazing is well suited to the less developed areas of south east Ohio and Dodds works in partnership with surrounding soil and water conservation districts and NRCS to coordinate the Eastern Ohio Grazing Council (EOGC). Led by the local landowners and guided by the agency partnership, the Council meets monthly, year- round with education sessions and presentations scheduled for the winter months and on-farm pasture walks organized for spring, summer and fall months. The EOGC promotes the conservation of soils and water by growing and grazing forages and serves as an advocate for sustainable and environmentally sound grazing practices.
Dodds welcomes education and outreach opportunities and regularly coaches high school students preparing for soils competitions and assists with district water quality programs. She facilitates workshops and tours that highlight conservation projects, assists with the District forestry program and serves a leadership role on the National Conservation Foundation Envirothon Operating Committee.
NCPP offers thanks to Wendee Dodds for her years of dedication and recognizes her contribution to the local conservation partnership. Dodds emulates the direct customer service that is the critical to the conservation delivery system.
Employee Spotlights Encouraged
The National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP) would like to recognize the hard-working, highly-skilled and creative field employees who are critical to the conservation planning process. If you know someone who has gone above and beyond that you would like to feature in an upcoming NCPP update, let us know.
We are asking that you share the following details:
- Employee name, position, location and length of service
- Partnership involvement
- Current projects/activities completed
- What makes this employee's approach to planning effective?
- Why should this employee be highlighted?
Please send your submission, along with their photo, to coordinator@ncpp.info. There is not a limit on the number of submissions.
NCPP is eager to shine a light on employees dedicated to conservation.
Do you have new ideas to improve conservation planning?
NCPP’s primary goal is to reinvigorate conservation planning at the local level. Whether you have a direct planning role or a support role, you may be in a position to make observations, recommendations, or suggestions that will contribute to achieving this goal.
Please visit www.ncpp.info to make a suggestion. We will pass it on to the appropriate person or group to respectfully consider and take the appropriate action. (We are unable to address personnel matters)
Thank you in advance for taking the time to improve the conservation planning process.
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