New face at head of SWCD is a familiar one

Brad Matlack, Carlton Soil and Water Conservation District's manager of 24 years, has retired, and the office welcomed a new manager this fall.

Matlack's career at the Soil and Water District was highly successful. When he started, there were only two employees, including himself. SWCD staff positions are mainly funded through grant programs with limited funding, creating barriers to hiring new staff. Despite this, Brad grew the workforce three times in size, hiring top-notch conservation professionals.

With this team, he fostered strong partnerships with various agencies and encouraged his staff to do the same. It's because of the stellar conservation team and partnerships that the district now provides a wide variety of technical conservation services: forest management, shoreline restoration, wetland conservation, watershed planning, pollinator habitat restoration, native plant and seed mix sales, environmental engineering, and Minnesota Agriculture Water Quality Certification Program administration.

SWCD board members and staff hosted a retirement party for Brad in September and the search for a new manager began. The personnel committee met and came up with a game plan, the position was posted, applicants were interviewed, and the best fit was found. Alyssa Bloss, formerly a conservation specialist here, accepted the position.

With 14 years of experience working for three districts across the state, Bloss has attained the experience, knowledge, and professional networks to excel in this new role. She has even been recognized with the Extraordinary Contribution Award from the Minnesota Association for Conservation Districts Employees for going above and beyond her normal duties in addressing statewide conservation needs.

Alyssa's enthusiasm, interpersonal communication, work ethic and attitude put the SWCD in a wonderful position to navigate this transition.

"There really is not a conservation organization quite like SWCDs," she said. "They foster a relationship with the land occupiers, cities, counties and other entities to ultimately protect, enhance, and restore our great state's natural resources."

Bloss plans to continue building on these relationships and share her experience in grant writing and management, record keeping, conservation project implementation, and technical expertise with her team to provide Carlton County land users exceptional, first-rate conservation services.

Writer Jenny Sherren is a community conservationist with the Carlton SWCD. Contact her at [email protected].