Samantha has over a decade experience working alongside residents, farmers, scientists, and local leaders to protect clean water, conserve forests, and find practical solutions to environmental challenges. With a Master's degree in Education, she believes that lasting conservation begins with informed communities and strong partnerships.

About Samantha Krop

As a new mom, protecting our natural resources has taken on an even deeper meaning for Samantha. She wants her child—and every family in Wake County—to inherit clean water, healthy soils, and thriving natural spaces.

Prior to her full-time role as a coalitions builder, she taught undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in environmental justice and pedagogy at the University of Oregon. A native of Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sam is no stranger to North Carolina rivers: she spent summers at Camp Celo on the shores of the South Toe River in the Black Mountains, a place where her love of nature and future career as an environmental advocate — guided by the central tenets of equity and inclusivity — was forged.

Samantha Krop - Sound Rivers

Samantha Krop is originally from Florida’s Gulf Coast. She has a master's degree in education. She is a new mother.

Samantha Krop is the Neuse Riverkeeper and Sound Rivers’ Director of Advocacy, monitoring the health of the Neuse and its many tributaries, from Durham to Havelock. Sam came to Sound Rivers from Oregon, where she served as the coalitions coordinator for the Forest Waters Coalition, a network of conservationists and community members working together to create stronger protections for Oregon’s forested watersheds.

Samantha Krop currently works as the Neuse Riverkeeper and Sound Rivers’ director of advocacy. She previously served as coalitions coordinator for the Forest Waters Coalition and taught undergraduate- and graduate-level courses in environmental justice and pedagogy at the University of Oregon.

Samantha Krop - Ballotpedia

Samantha is a first-time candidate for political office.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, I will:

Protect drinking water at its source by supporting conservation of forests, wetlands, and riparian buffers that naturally filter pollution and safeguard reservoirs like Falls Lake and Jordan Lake.

Reduce pollution before it reaches our waterways by expanding green stormwater infrastructure, restoring streams, and promoting conservation practices that reduce sediment, bacteria, and nutrient runoff.

Champion watershed-wise growth by encouraging development that respects floodplains, preserves natural areas, and minimizes impacts to streams and downstream communities.

Priorities

As Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor, I will:

Expand nature-based solutions by promoting stream restoration, wetland protection, reforestation, and green stormwater infrastructure that reduce flooding, improve water quality, and recharge groundwater.

Protect the forests, wetlands and floodplains that naturally absorb floodwaters, reduce heat, store carbon, and safeguard our drinking water supplies.

Protect farmland to ensure local food security in the face of climate instability.

Strengthen partnerships with farmers, municipalities, conservation organizations, and state agencies to implement science-based conservation practices that improve soil health, conserve water, and prepare Wake County for increasingly extreme weather.

As Soil and Water District Supervisor, I will:

Prioritize conservation investments where they are needed most, helping communities that face the greatest risks from flooding, extreme heat, and water quality impacts become more resilient.

Center the needs and stories of those impacted first and worst by environmental impacts.

Collaborate with community leaders to secure science backed, forward-thinking solutions for our highest risk communities

Plans to promote stream restoration, wetland protection, reforestation, and green stormwater infrastructure to reduce flooding and improve water quality.

Plans to protect drinking-water sources by conserving forests, wetlands, and riparian buffers around Falls Lake and Jordan Lake.

Plans to reduce water pollution through green stormwater infrastructure, stream restoration, and conservation practices that limit sediment, bacteria, and nutrient runoff.

Seeks to reduce water pollution through green stormwater infrastructure, stream restoration, and conservation practices that limit sediment, bacteria, and nutrient runoff.

Plans to encourage development that respects floodplains, preserves natural areas, and minimizes impacts on streams and downstream communities.

Plans to protect farmland to support local food security amid climate instability.

Plans to partner with farmers, local governments, conservation organizations, and state agencies on science-based conservation practices for soil health, water conservation, and extreme weather preparedness.

Plans to prioritize conservation investments for communities facing the greatest risks from flooding, extreme heat, and poor water quality.

- Plans to protect drinking-water sources by conserving forests, wetlands, and riparian buffers around Falls Lake and Jordan Lake.
- Seeks to reduce water pollution through green stormwater infrastructure, stream restoration, and conservation practices that limit sediment, bacteria, and nutrient runoff.
- Plans to encourage development that respects floodplains, preserves natural areas, and minimizes impacts on streams and downstream communities.
- Plans to protect farmland to support local food security amid climate instability.
- Plans to partner with farmers, local governments, conservation organizations, and state agencies on science-based conservation practices for soil health, water conservation, and extreme weather preparedness.
- Plans to prioritize conservation investments for communities facing the greatest risks from flooding, extreme heat, and poor water quality.

Energy & the Environment

As Soil and Water District Supervisor, I will:

Expand opportunities for residents to learn about conservation resources available  to Wake County residents.

Work to educate community members about the major challenges facing our watersheds and natural resources, and work together to partner around place based solutions.

Empower individuals, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods to take action by connecting them with the tools, resources, and partnerships needed to build healthier and more resilient communities.

Plans to prioritize people most affected by environmental impacts and collaborate with community leaders on science-based solutions for high-risk communities.

Plans to expand conservation education and connect residents, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods with resources, tools, and partnerships to take action.

- Plans to prioritize people most affected by environmental impacts and collaborate with community leaders on science-based solutions for high-risk communities.
- Plans to expand conservation education and connect residents, schools, businesses, and neighborhoods with resources, tools, and partnerships to take action.

Administration

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Samantha Krop

- Plans to encourage development that respects floodplains, preserves natural areas, and minimizes impacts on streams and downstream communities.
- Plans to protect farmland to support local food security amid climate instability.
- Plans to partner with farmers, local governments, conservation organizations, and state agencies on science-based conservation practices for soil health, water conservation, and extreme weather preparedness.
- Plans to prioritize conservation investments for communities facing the greatest risks from flooding, extreme heat, and poor water quality.

Isaac Brickman

Walter Ley

Beth Pugh Farrell

Brian K. Lewis

Cece Grant

Jim White

Terence Thomas

- A soil and water conservation district supervisor is 1 member of a board of 5 supervisors that works to improve the soil and water quality in the county through education. 
- The board of supervisors provide technical and financial assistance to help land users maintain their land and surrounding ecosystems. 
- The board of supervisors design long term conservation programs that teach environmental care, pollution reduction, and provide incentives for using these practices, especially for agricultural workers. 
- The board of supervisors provide short term educational services like competitions, field days, and workshops to educate the public on conservation. 
- Soil and water conservation district supervisors are elected to 4 year terms in non-partisan races. However, 2 of the board members are appointed by the state soil and water commission. 

Member of board of supervisors that creates aid programs and educates people on environmental conservation. 