Author Archives: Alex

Apply for a Partners in Conservation grant!

Is your organization looking for funding for a conservation project? We are now accepting applications for the 2018 Partners in Conservation (PIC) grant cycle! Our PIC Grant Program supports conservation projects that are located within the District service area (all Multnomah County east of the Willamette River) or serve its residents. Funding areas include:

  • Habitat Restoration and Monitoring
  • Stormwater Management and Naturescaping
  • Sustainable Agriculture
  • School and Community Gardens
  • Environmental Education
  • Capacity Building / Equity

Visit our PIC Grants page to
learn more and get started!
Continue reading →

We are here to help

Our thoughts are with those that have been affected by the Eagle Creek fire. Once residents are able to return home, they will have questions about managing the burned areas on their properties. We want you to know that we are here to help. We will offer site visits and can identify State, Federal and local resources to assist you. In the meantime, please contact us with any questions you may have.

Please contact Julie DiLeone, our Rural Lands Supervisor, at (503) 935-5360 or julieD@emswcd.org.

new associate directors Mike Gerel and Carrie Sanneman

Introducing new Associate Board Directors, Mike and Carrie

We’d like to introduce our two new Associate Board Directors, Carrie Sanneman and Mike Gerel! Both Mike and Carrie come to EMSWCD with extensive backgrounds in conservation, restoration and water quality. Carrie manages the Clean Water program at Willamette Partnership, and Mike is the Director of Programs at Sustainable Northwest. Learn more about Mike, Carrie, and the rest of our Board on our Board page.

Headwaters Incubator Program’s first graduates, Pete and Claire, enjoying the first season on their new plot of land in Canby, Oregon

The Launching of a New Farm

Udan Farm, Headwaters Incubator Program’s first graduate

Pete and Claire St. Tulnoynum came to the Headwaters Incubator Program (HIP) in 2015 with a couple of seasons of farming under their belt, some produce management experience, and a good understanding of what makes for healthy soil. Using the Lloyd and Woodlawn Farmers Markets as their primary retail outlets, they were able to establish Udan Farm and transition their business onto leased farmland in just two years.

Participants in HIP are given up to five years to launch their business, but Udan Farm’s experience is essentially how the program is designed to work: a farm enters the program and works to refine production practices, establish markets, build farm networks, make investments, and then leaves for their own site (either leased or owned) to continue growing the operation. Or, as Pete explains, “Headwaters Incubator Program was extremely good for us. We got to experience what it was like to work together as a couple, we gleaned ideas from other farmers, and we were able to get the business running.” Continue reading →

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Important notice for SPACE Grant applicants

If you are planning on applying for a SPACE Grant in August, please note that our regular September Board Meeting will not be held until September 18th, 2017, in conjunction with our Annual Meeting on the same date. This means that SPACE Grants for the month will not be considered until that date. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Grants Manager, Suzanne Easton, at (503) 935-5370 or suzanne@emswcd.org.