Rural Conservation Specialist
nicole.ruggiero@tualatinswcd.org
(971) 371-0097
Nicole works with farmers, rural residents, and community partners to implement conservation practices throughout rural Washington County. She shares her technical expertise to improve water quality, soil health, irrigation efficiency, wildlife habitat and other resources related to agriculture. Having practiced wildlife biology and land conservation in the Pacific Northwest for 20 years, she has a passion for finding natural resource solutions that support the overall health of rural communities. A focus area of her work is the protection of farmland to keep local agriculture viable for years to come.
Nicole has a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of New Hampshire and M.S. in Wildlife Science from the University of Idaho.
Her free time is spent running on trails, running errands, and running her five kids to gymnastics and soccer practice. She also enjoys fixing up her historical house and gardening with her husband.