A single white mushroom on a tree stump.

Who We Are

OUR PURPOSE

The Upper Nehalem Watershed Council was founded in 1996 to help maintain the health of the waterways and wildlife in the Upper Nehalem Valley. Nestled in the northwest corner of Oregon, the UNWC works with other organizations, community members, and stakeholders to complete projects and share information.

Having a healthy watershed is important. It impacts animals and vegetation which, in turn, have consequences for people and communities. A poorly managed watershed can see loss of habitat and species, contribute to larger flood events, and impact the economy.

With so many key interests, collaboration and cooperation are vital. The UNWC provides a framework for all stakeholder voices to be heard and to coordinate efforts towards shared goals.

Mission Statement: To foster stewardship and understanding of the natural resources of the Upper Nehalem Watershed among the stakeholders of the watershed communities in order to protect, conserve, restore and sustain the health and functions of the watershed.

Vision Statement: A balanced ecosystem that supports a healthy watershed which provides for an economic base and viable watershed communities.

Our Team

Maggie Peyton standing in front of a green door.
Maggie Peyton
Executive Director
Executive Director and founding member of UNWC (EST 1996), I volunteered for the first 1.5...
Susan Spicer-Pond with a slight smile wearing brown, oblong earings, glasses and a striped shirt.
Susan Spicer Pond
Fiscal Administrator
Susan Spicer Pond has been with UNWC since December of 2017. She is originally from Pendleton...
Vacancy
Chair
We need a Chairperson and it could be you!
Spencer Kroll smiling in sunglasses, a red beanie, and a red and black flannel coat>
                        </div>

                        <div class=
Spencer Kroll
Vice Chair
Spencer Kroll is an architect and amateur carpenter based outside of Vernonia, OR. Spence grew up...
Diane Turner Maller, smiling, wearing a purple beanie that matches her purple turtle neck sweater.
Diane Turner Maller
Secretary
Diane, with her husband, Sam, has made her home in Vernonia since 2013. She grew up in a logging...
Wade Bullier white bearded, with cap and glassees smiling in restaurant.
Wade Bullier
Treasurer
Wade Bullier is a fourth generation native Oregonian engaged in the management of a family-owned...
Susan Schmidlin smiling with her glasses on top of her head.
Susan Schmidlin
Member-at-Large
Susan and her family own acreage with timber and farm ground for a herd of Black Angus...
Eric DeWitt looking serious, wearing an orange hard hat standing in front of a tree.
Eric DeWitt
Member-at-Large
Eric, our Weyerhaeuser representative, joined the UNWC Board in 2021 as the treasurer...
Thomas Dee selfie outside in sunglasses and an orange vest next to black dog with white snout.
Thomas Dee
Member-at-Large
Thomas Dee is a Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner and Professional Wetland Scientist with...

Our Place