Educate and guide Henrico County citizens in the sustainable use of shared natural resources – toward a vision of clean waters and productive soil.

The Henricopolis Soil & Water Conservation District vision & mission:

Becky Lakin

Elected Director for Henrico’s Soil & Water Conservation District

Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District is a subdivision of state government responsible for natural resource conservation.

The District is governed by a five member Board of Directors who serve without pay. Three of those directors are elected by the people.

We won!

Thank you for your vote & volunteerism.

Meet Becky.

I’m a cross-disciplinary leader with a background in,

sustainability leadership education
people & culture leadership
corporate citizenship & DEI strategy
nonprofit leadership
community organizing
creative communications
horse + human learning & development.

I’m problem-led, meaning I’m a curious explorer of the root-cause. My exploration is systems-centered, meaning I untangle the interconnected web of issues we’ve designed over time.

And I seek right-now questions and solve right-now problems, while reaching for out-there opportunities that urge us quickly toward whole-earth equity.

Currently, I’m faculty within the Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability. I lead my award-winning nonprofit, The Giving Wall, that facilitates citizen-to-citizen support for neighbors in financial crisis. And I guide leaders and teams toward their full potential and purpose through nature-based education with formerly wild mustangs.

Previously, I was the Chief People and Culture Officer for a software company that powers social impact campaigns. Prior, I served as Global Head of DEI and Corporate Citizenship for the world’s leading logistics company, building programs and policies for more than 80,000 employees across 110 countries. I’ve led marketing and communications for large enterprise and small business, and consulted for Fortune 500s and public sector groups.

I proudly hold a Sustainability Certificate from Arizona State University, a M.S. in Community Integrative Nutrition from Maryland University of Integrative Health, and a B.S. in Marketing from Virginia Commonwealth University.

I’m the mom of two extraordinary people bravely navigating life’s beginnings. And a caretaker of three mustangs, a small flock of chickens, two dogs, two cats, and Varina soil and the life it powers.

Fort Worth, Texas was my birthplace. Mathews, Virginia was my upbringing

Eastern Henrico is my home.

A thriving future for all is my vision.

Find “the place where your deep gladness meets the worlds deep need.”

- Frederick Buechner

My values are rooted in the Earth, powered by people, and constant companions in my leadership.

HUMILITY

Seek understanding and guidance from those who know what I don’t & who’ve lived what I’ve not.

ALTRUISM

Devote skills and time to the wellbeing of all living things. All ships rise together.

COOPERATION

Co-create solutions through trusting relationships with corporates, nonprofits, municipalities, & community.

COURAGE

Overcome insecurity and uncertainty to take the right step, and do the right thing.

INGENUITY

Challenge the status quo. Redesign what’s not working. Create what needs doing. Stop what’s damaging.

COMPASSION

Live care for others - don’t perform it. Compassion is a verb that requires we act.

The Soil & Water Conservation District’s History.

Following the devastation of the Dust Bowl in the 1930s, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt recommended the Standard State Soil Conservation Districts Act be signed into law by all state governors. This act gave states a step-by-step guide to create conservation districts and listing their powers and responsibilities.

The first conservation district was established in North Carolina on August 4, 1937. By July 1, 1945, all 48 states had passed district-enabling acts.

On July 25, 1946, 18 representatives from 17 states created the National Association of Soil Conservation District Governing Officials. Today, the NACD represents nearly 3,000 districts in all 50 states.

NACD’s first executive officer in 1946 was a woman named Ellen Cobb.

Soil & Water Conservation District Services

Water testing

Classroom education

Agriculture support

Soil testing

Environmental scholarships

Erosion mitigation

Stormwater management

Livestock support

Water testing Classroom education Agriculture support Soil testing Environmental scholarships Erosion mitigation Stormwater management Livestock support

Reach out to the Soil & Water team.

I will educate, empower and guide the community to protect the soil & waterways we depend on. My vision includes partnerships with HOA’s, Small Farmers, Faith Communities, Landscaping Organizations, Native Plant Nurseries, and the Henrico School Board.

Becky for Soil & Water.

Get to know me more through my network.

“This has been the best class I have taken throughout the Masters of Sustainability Leadership program at ASU. Actually, the best class I have ever taken. Mostly because of Becky, and the way she chooses to teach. I have not felt invested in or cared for like that in higher education, ever. ”

— Emma – Masters of Sustainability Leadership Degree Candidate, Arizona State University

“I have been inspired and energized by her commitment to building a stronger, more compassionate community. We need leaders like Becky in our community. We need leaders like Becky within local government.”

— Reggie Gordon – Director of Health and Human Services, City of Richmond

“Becky is a passionate and strategic leader in the environmental space, and fiercely advocates for community members in the Richmond region and beyond. Her persistence and ability to build meaningful and impactful partnerships make her an ideal candidate for the Soil & Water Conservation District Board. ”

— Laura Thomas – Director of the Office of Sustainability, City of Richmond