2024 Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes long-term commitment and dedication to advancing the District's mission. 

Megan DeLeeuw served as WCCD's Executive Director from January 2018 – February 2024.  During her tenure she secured an unprecedented countywide millage to expand reliable services, procured sizable state and federal grants to fund innovative programs, and instituted benefits to support staff.  In addition, Megan’s leadership style was intelligent, decisive, reasonable, and supportive, as voiced by staff and Board members’ farewell messages (https://washtenawcd.weebly.com/thankyoumegan.html).  

In 2018, the WCCD’s annual revenue was roughly $230,000 from a combination of sales revenue, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) program grant, and a small contribution from the county ($30,000). The WCCD employed one full-time technician and one District Manager, Megan DeLeeuw. The assets owned by the district were minimal with minimal reserve.  With Megan’s encouragement, ​in 2019 the Board of Directors approved proceeding with pursuing the first countywide millage question to support the district through a tax of .02 mil. The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved the ballot questions unanimously and in August 2020, the ballot question passed with 76% approval from voters. This tax resulted in over $348,000 annually of unrestricted revenue for the WCCD, allowing for long-term capacity building.   

Having additional funds allowed the WCCD to pursue more grant opportunities, which often require an in-kind or cash match, and has expanded the District’s impact, including staffing.  From 2018 to 2024, the WCCD ambitiously grew from two to fourteen staff members to better serve Washtenaw County residents and deliver on grants. In 2024, for every $1 levied from the county millage, the WCCD secured an additional $1.65 from outside sources.  Megan had a direct hand in developing grant applications, negotiating terms, coordinating partner efforts, and identifying staff to run new and innovate programs, such as MIFarmLink, Michigan Climate Smart Farms (MCSFP), and Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).  MIFarmLink is a land-linking program that keeps farmland as farmland, securing Michigan’s agricultural heritage and future.  MCSFP, supported by United States Department of Agriculture funding, is developing a Climate Smart Farm Verification system for small/diversified farms.  TOPP, another USDA-funded initiative, expands access to organic farming in Michigan by connecting aspiring organic farmers with experienced mentors who help them navigate the certification process.  (Megan departed before these programs concluded, but all are making considerable progress on their goals and objectives.  More information can be found at washtenawcd.org/farmers or in our Annual Report.) 

Critical to the success of grants, as well as coordinating reliable programming and services, are the staff of the WCCD.  Employee turnover and dissatisfaction can quickly undermine even the best-intentioned organizations.  Passion can only retain staff for so long; they require - and deserve - salaries and benefits that allow them to remain dedicated year-after-year while also caring for their families and saving for retirement.  Megan listened to staff concerns and made it a priority to secure health insurance, ancillary benefits, such as disability and critical illness, and encouraging and contributing to employee retirement funds.  Through Megan’s participation with the non-profit Conservation District Employees of Michigan (CDEM), her efforts benefited employees at other Conservation Districts in the Michigan as well.  Ultimately, benefits for staff have translated into consistent and efficient services for residents and positive impacts on natural resources in Washtenaw County and beyond. 

Megan’s departure was a disappointment to WCCD staff, Board members, and residents alike who admired her leadership and marveled at the progress she had facilitated while at the helm of the organization.  This award is meant to formally recognize her efforts and thank her for setting the WCCD on a trajectory to be a leader in conservation in Washtenaw County.  We are confident she will be a tremendous asset to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development as their Soil, Water, and Climate Manager and we hope to welcome her back to her WCCD family in a volunteer capacity very soon.   

Megan will be awarded the Distinguished Service Award at the Annual Celebration.