Meet UWSWCD board member Gen Schaack

from the Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District

Genevieve “Gen” Schaack joined the Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District’s Board of Directors in January, and is currently serving as Board secretary. She represents Zone 2, which includes Junction City and parts of Eugene and Springfield. We sat down with her to ask her a few questions about herself, her interest in conservation, and her hopes for the District in the future.

Three things about Gen:

Gen grew up in Chicago, Illinois. She describes herself as a “terrible but enthusiastic gardener” and a good cook “despite being allergic to everything.” Her current favorite recipe is chicken piccata.

How she got interested in conservation:

Gen became interested in conservation when (like many 20-somethings with wanderlust) she landed in Oregon and started spending time running around in the woods as a mushroom hunter. She ended up working her way through college as an admin for the office of a company that performed woodland firefighting and restoration. She says that Oregon seemed very wild compared to Illinois, “fascinating and worth keeping that way.”

One thing that she wishes more people knew:

“How many people are out there in their community trying.”

Something that she would like to see the District doing into the future:

Gen is really excited about the grant support we provide to folks engaging in conservation work in Lane County and looks forward to our continuing support of local initiatives.

Her favorite place in Lane County:

Like most of us, Gen had a hard time picking just one! She did mention especially loving to hike the trails near Oakridge with her high-climbing dogs, especially near Moon Falls.

The next three Board of Directors meetings will be held at noon April 17, May 13, and June 10, 2025. Learn more about the Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District at the website, UWSWCD.org