O'Hare selected as IDEA's district employee of the year
<p>Members of the Bonner County Soil and Water Conservation District pose with SWCD district administrator Linda O’Hare after a recent board member following her selection as the IDEA district employee of the year. Pictured, from left, are board members Vern Hollett, Dale Van Stone, Cassie Tauber, O’Hare, Harry Menser, Greg Becker, Sandpoint field office district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and board chairman Herman Collins. (Courtesy photo)</p>
SANDPOINT — Linda O’Hare, district administrator for the Bonner County Soil and Water Conservation District, has been named the Idaho Association of Conservation Districts’ district employee of the year at the state conference in mid-November.
O’Hare has been with the SWCD for eight years and has been instrumental in bring new and fresh ideas to her district. Not only is she able to tackle huge projects, she administers existing programs and projects without faltering, said board chairman Herman Collins. He also praised her ability to keep him informed through emails and phone calls and going “above and beyond the average employee,” in a letter to the state association.
IDEA officials said O’Hare was praised by NRCS support staff for her outstanding character. Not only is O’Hare consistent with the quality of her work and time invested in it, she understands the great value of unity within the office and between the NRCS and district conservationist. In addition, staff said she is outwardly focused and readily serves those she works with and those who walk through the door for assistance.
“She passionately pursues worthwhile projects regardless of how ominous they may seem,” staff said in nominating O’Hare.
Co-workers applauded O’Hare for her ability to work well with partnering agencies and organizations, setting the framework for teams that make ideas into reality, as well as doing so with grace and composure.
“She asks the right questions of the right people and gets the information necessary to deliver services to the residents of her county,” the letter said. “And although she did not come from a background of conservation, she has put all of her effort into the issues of her district and the county to contribute solutions to the most difficult of issues.”
O’Hare was also recognized for working diligently with the past division director to plan and attend annual conferences and facilitate necessary communications as well as taking a key role in planning and implementing the State Forestry Contest. Among the district project she has been involved with are the Idaho watercraft inspection stations, the Water Festival, Bonner County Lake*A*Syst, Fish Creek Road improvement and an annual tree sale.
“She has shown great leadership and commitment to conservation over the past years,” association officials noted in announcing O’Hare’s selection. “She has proven to be an outstanding model for others in her position around the state. This is the type of employee that IDEA is proud to recognize.
O’Hare said the award is a compliment to the entire Bonner SWCD and its many accomplishment in putting conservation on the ground.
“Our Bonner SWCD is made up of a hard-working board and committed office personnel who work well together,” she added.