We’re really excited to welcome Steve Dear as our Executive Director / Watershed Coordinator, and newest member of the Long Tom Watershed Council team!
Steve has dedicated his career to working collaboratively to advance the missions of national, statewide, and local nonprofit organizations focused on community organizing around environmental and social justice issues. He’s led teams that provided organizing and technical assistance among historically and racially segregated and underserved Southern rural communities and local and state governments, resulting in $58 million in desperately needed water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure projects. He wrote a book on alternative wastewater technologies for leaders of small communities, and he has worked as a newspaper reporter.For the past eight years, Steve and his spouse have lived in the woods of the foothills of the Coast Range near the banks of the upper Long Tom. He has been deeply involved in Eugene and Lane County community affairs and has served on a variety of water and environment-related commissions and boards. In his free time he enjoys playing guitar and drums in bands and helping their dog Joe explore Oregon’s coast and mountains.
We’re really looking forward to the experience, heart, and dedication Steve will bring to this watershed and the watershed community! Welcome!