CBCD Dedicates New Building and Honors Longtime Leaders

On September 19th, the Columbia Basin Conservation District (CBCD) hosted a special celebration to dedicate our new office building in Moses Lake and to recognize two individuals whose contributions have left a lasting impact on conservation in the Columbia Basin.

Family members of Marie Lotz stand beside her memorial plaque, dedicated in her honor during the Columbia Basin Conservation District’s building dedication and celebration on September 19, 2025. Photo thanks to Callie Preston.

A full house for CBCD’s Building Dedication and Celebration Ceremony. Photo thanks to Callie Preston.

Left to right: Dave Stadelman (CBCD Board Chair), Dan Roseburg (CBCD Board Supervisor), and Ron Sawyer (CBCD Conservation Director) stand in CBCD’s board room. Photo thanks to Callie Preston.

Harold Crose (CBCD Senior Advisor) shares a few words at CBCD’s Building Dedication & Celebration. Photo thanks to Callie Preston.

Kristina Ribellia (CBCD Executive Director) welcomes everyone to the ceremony. Photo thanks to Callie Preston.

Left to right: Heather Wendt (Washington Association of Conservation Districts), Dave Stadelman (CBCD Board Chair), and John Preston (CBCD Board Member). Photo thanks to Callie Preston.

As part of the event, CBCD’s new building was dedicated in honor of Marie Lotz, our district’s former manager, whose vision and unwavering commitment made this dream a reality. Her legacy, including 22 years of devoted service and leadership will continue to guide and inspire our work for generations to come. We were honored to be joined by Marie’s family, friends, and colleagues, who together helped make the day especially meaningful.

Left to right: Mike Baden (Washington State Conservation Commission), Heather Wendt (Washington Association of Conservation Districts), John Preston (CBCD Board Member), and Kristina Ribellia (CBCD Executive Director). John holds a framed map presented to him in recognition of his 50 years of service. Photo thanks to Callie Preston.

The celebration also honored John Preston, who was recognized for his 50 years of service as a conservation district board supervisor. John began his service as a conservation district board supervisor in 1975 with the Warden Conservation District.  His steady leadership later guided the consolidation of several local conservation districts in the early 2000s, to what is now known as CBCD.  Today, John continues to serve on the CBCD board, bringing decades of practical farming experience and conservation leadership to every decision.

Left: CBCD’s office building before renovations. Right: CBCD’s new office building after renovations and a new awning.

CBCD purchased its new office building in 2023. Since then, CBCD staff have worked tirelessly to paint, repair, and remodel the space. Reflecting on the effort, CBCD Program Manager Britton Baker shared, “This building, and all of the hours spent remodeling it by myself and other CBCD staff, are a testament to Marie and everything she worked so hard for. CBCD now has a building to be proud of, and we can continue to be a vital, enduring advocate for natural resource conservation in the Columbia Basin for many years to come.”

Left to right: Britton Baker, CBCD Program Manager, and Ron Sawyer, CBCD Conservation Director, paint the side of the CBCD’s new office building.

The new building provides CBCD with the space and resources to better serve local landowners and producers, host educational workshops and conferences, and expand programs that protect soil, water, and habitat across the Columbia Basin. Community members are invited to stop by the new office at 903 W. 3rd Ave. in Moses Lake. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the CBCD team looks forward to welcoming visitors and sharing more about the district’s conservation work.