| Jason Kesling is the Harney SWCD District Manager. Jason started with the District in April 2020 as the Rangeland Biologist and took over the District Manager position at the end of March 2021. He grew up in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He went to college at Oregon State University where he studied Fish and Wildlife. He graduated in 2004 with a BS in Fish and Wildlife with a specialty option in Avian Ecology. He moved to Burns to work for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as a Habitat Technician at the Riverside Wildlife Area. He quickly got a job at the Burns Paiute Tribe where he worked as the Wildlife Biologist, Wildlife Manager, and Natural Resources Director from 2005-2017. His last position was with the Upper Snake River Tribe Foundation as its Environmental Program Director. Jason likes to spend time with his family, travel, hunt, fish, garden and improve his property.
Contact: kesling@harneyswcd.net |
 |
|
Samuel Artaiz is the SONEC Partner Biologist. He grew up in NW Oregon enjoying raising waterfowl on his parents’ property. He graduated from Oregon State with a focus in wetlands and waterfowl and traveled around the US working in waterfowl conservation and natural resources. He enjoys getting outside gardening, snowmachining, hunting or hiking but loves spending time exploring wetlands.
Contact: samuel.artaiz@or.nacdnet.net
|
  |
| Sarah Mundy is our Sage-grouse Coordinator. Sarah has 11 years’ experience with Natural Resources and has worked for HSWCD for over 4 years. She works with landowners about site specific plans with sage-grouse conservation and project development. She hopes to have an impact for local working lands and bird habitat.
Contact: mundy@harneyswcd.net |
  |
| Danielle Reynolds, Sage-grouse Habitat and Rangeland Restoration Planner. She has worked with the District for over two years. She enjoys working outdoors and experiencing the different areas Harney County offers.
Contact: danielle.reynolds@or.nacdnet.net |
 
|
 |
Tyler Goss is the Ag water/CWMA Coordinator. He grew up on his family’s ranch in Bonanza, Oregon. He attended Treasure Valley Community College to study Rangeland Management and also received a one-year certification in Natural Resource.
Contact: goss@harneyswcd.net |
 |
Breanna O’Connor began work for the SWCD as Rangeland Biologist and Ag Water Specialist in December of 2022. She grew up in Lakeview, Oregon and went to college at Oregon State University. At Oregon State, she received a Bachelors in Natural Resources and a Master of Science from the Forestry Department in 2008.
Breanna moved to Burns in 2013 to work for the Bureau of Land Management as a
Riparian Specialist. “After working for the BLM for 20 years, I am excited for this new endeavor with the Harney County Soil and Water Conservation District. In my spare time I enjoy fishing, hunting, hiking, and all other outdoor activities.” Contact: oconnor@harneyswcd.net
|
  |
April Mack, Rangeland Biologist. April has worked with the district since the spring of 2023. She has worked with different natural resource agencies since 2013 such as ODFW and OWEB. She enjoys all things outdoors and is an avid hunter. She teaches and mentors women in archery, shotgun, and hunting in her spare time.
Contact: mack@harneyswcd.net
|
| Barbara Pearson has worked on and off for the district since 2019 as an Admin Assist. When she’s not in the office she enjoys walking her dog, annoying her husband, and poking dead things with sticks.
Contact: pearson@harneyswcd.net |
- See also NRCS Staff page.