Thirty-six-year history in biological conservation, science education and organizational management.

William F. “Fritz” Paulus is a real estate attorney who focuses on land protection transactions and land use matters in Oregon. Representing government entities, nonprofits, and individuals, Mr. Paulus has extensive experience in assisting and advising clients with all facets of the willing-seller-and-buyer property acquisition process from project assessment to closing, including negotiation consultation, preparing purchase and sale agreements, conducting due diligence involving condition of title, appraisals, surveys, and environmental compliance, deed preparation, and escrow instructions. In addition to fee title acquisitions, conservation easements are one of his practice areas, including those to maintain and protect working farmlands. In 2015, he authored a chapter about conservation easements in the Oregon Real Estate Deskbook, published by the Oregon State Bar and is a frequent speaker on the topic. Prior to his current practice, he served as the Executive Director of the Oregon Water Trust and was a Real Estate Negotiator with the Natural Areas Program at Metro, the Portland-area regional government. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon law school and has been an Oregon State Bar member since 1991.

Woodlands Conservancy is a 501-C-3, nonprofit organization created with the mission to preserve and restore an ecosystem dedicated to creating daily public opportunities for recreation, ecotourism and education in a natural and historic setting. The vision of Woodlands Conservancy is to be the regional model for the conservation of hardwood forests, and a leader in the advocacy and preservation of Louisiana’s coastal forest ecosystems.

The Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District (District) is led by a locally elected board of directors whose responsibility is to plan and oversee the delivery of services and programs that help conserve and protect water and soil resources, wildlife habitat, and other natural resources in Yamhill County. The District is a unit of local government, and implements its programs and services in partnership with volunteers, non-profits, state and federal agencies, school districts and universities, watershed councils, landowners, and many others.