The Van Buren Conservation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the promotion of Emilly Hickmott to Executive Director as of October 1, 2023. Hickmott started with the District in May 2018 as the Recycling Coordinator and began serving as the Deputy Administrator in the spring of 2021. In her time with the district, she has worked to expand recycling education and access, support our strong agricultural community, and equitably address landowner concerns. In her new role, she will oversee the staff and lead efforts to meet tomorrow’s conservation challenges.
In 2024, the Van Buren Conservation District will celebrate its 80th anniversary as an organization. Since April 25, 1944, generations of Van Buren Conservation District staff and board directors have promoted the conservation of natural resources. We do this through partnerships, providing public education, demonstrations, and technical assistance while working together for future generations.
Recently recognized by the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum as the recipient of its 2023 Future Sustainable Business Hall of Fame for Southwest Michigan, Hickmott embodies the mission of the conservation district. Working closely with her management teammate, Kimberly Sinclair, fourteen-year Administrator to the District, the District is well-positioned for an impactful future.
From 2020 to 2022, Sinclair increased the District’s impact by acquiring funding to expand the staff from seven to fifteen members and from a $800,000 budget to a $1.2 million budget. She will continue to manage the District’s assets and diversify the District’s funding sources. Sinclair’s commitment to natural resource conservation and financial sustainability greatly contributes to the overall health and wellness of the Van Buren County community.
With over 150 years of collective experience amongst the five board directors and fifteen staff members, the Van Buren Conservation District is available to help with your natural resource concerns. To keep up with all that the District offers, connect with us through these methods:
- Newsletter: VanBurenCD.org (go to the bottom of the webpage and sign up with your email address at the bottom)
- Facebook: @VanBurenCD
- Instagram: @vbcdmi
- YouTube: @VanBurenCD
Photo Caption: Van Buren Conservation District Executive Director Emilly Hickmott