Category Archives: Archive

Important information on applying for the Partners in Conservation 2019 grant program

Are you considering applying for a Partners in Conservation (PIC) grant? Please note that EMSWCD is now using an online application system called ZoomGrants. To get started, please create an account and password on the EMSWCD ZoomGrants webpage. Please note the ZoomGrants portal will not be active until November 1^st, when EMSWCD begins accepting applications.

Apply on the EMSWCD
ZoomGrants webpage

Note: If you already have a ZoomGrants account from an application to Metro or another organization that uses ZoomGrants, you should enter your existing login information in the page linked above.

All applications are due by 4:00 PM on December 14^th, 2018. Continue reading →

Building beetle banks

Fight off pests and reduce the need for insecticides with one simple feature! Beetle banks are berms (an area of raised earth) planted with bunch grasses to provide habitat for predatory ground beetles. Beetle banks reduce pest pressure and the need for insecticides, while also helping suppress crop weeds!

Read on for easy instructions on how to build a beetle bank, or join us and our partners at the 2016 Farwest Show (Thursday, August 25th through Saturday the 27th) for a great informational display, complete with a beetle bank model! Continue reading →

Livestock Workshop

Calling all livestock owners! Join us on August 17^th at the Columbia Grange for help planning and managing your livestock operation. Presenters will highlight grazing techniques to keep grass growing vigorously, and mud and manure management to minimize runoff into waterways.

Topics include:

Manure composting
Rotational grazing
Heavy use areas
Fencing
And more!

Presenters:

Jeremy Baker, EMSWCD Senior Rural Conservationist
Kimberly Galland, NRCS District Conservationist

Click here
to register!

Construction begins August 1st to remove barriers to fish passage on Johnson Creek

Update: Construction has begun! Stay tuned for project updates in this post.

When the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District purchased Headwaters Farm in Gresham five years ago, we saw it as an opportunity to do what we do best: promote clean water, healthy soil, and wildlife habitat. We quickly found a project on the property that addresses all three at once: replacing the culverts for safe fish passage.

The North Fork of Johnson Creek flows through three culverts on Headwaters Farm that are either old, undersized, or perched (a perched culvert is one where the outlet is higher than the downstream water surface). All three act as barriers to salmon as they swim upstream to lay their eggs. Continue reading →

Our 2016-17 Work Plan

Our work plan for the 2016-17 fiscal year is now available! You can download the Annual Work Plan here.

The mission of the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District is to help people care for land and water. Our vision is that our lands and waters are healthy and sustain farms, forests, wildlife and communities. Each year we create a work plan to organize and prioritize our work, and set specific program goals to further our mission and vision. The work plan is organized by the work in our four programmatic units: Finance and Operations (The Finance and Operations Program focuses on the administrative aspects of the EMSWCD’s work, including board and committee management, budgeting and financial management, contracting, human resources, office management, facilities management, and marketing and media.), Urban Lands (The Urban Lands Program provides workshops, project consultations, demonstration projects and public events, such as native landscaping tours and native plant sales.), Rural Lands (The Rural Lands Program focuses on providing advice to farmers and other land managers on best practices, improving riparian habitats, and eradicating invasive weeds.), and Conservation Legacy (The Conservation Legacy Program focuses on helping new farmers get established, on protecting and restoring agricultural, natural resource, and access to nature lands as well as providing funding for partners and allies for conservation-related activities.).

You can also learn more about EMSWCD and the work we do in the District in the About EMSWCD section. Contact us at (503) 222-7645 or info@emswcd.org to find out how we can help you care for land and water.

Entering a new strategic partnership with the Columbia Slough, Johnson Creek and Sandy River Basin Watershed Councils

We are proud to announce the launch of a new long-term partnership with the Columbia Slough Watershed Council, the Johnson Creek Watershed Council, and the Sandy River Basin Watershed Council! Under this five-year Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA), we will work together with the watershed councils to plan for and implement joint conservation projects within our service area (all of Multnomah County east of the Willamette River). The partnership will include grant funding up to $1.5 million from EMSWCD to the watershed councils as well as joint fund-raising from other sources.

Find out more about the partnership and initial project funding here.

EMSWCD is hiring! Headwaters Farm Operations Assistant

We are seeking a part-time, seasonal Farm Operations Assistant to engage in a wide range of activities related to running and maintaining Headwaters Farm. The Headwaters Farm Operations Assistant will help support Headwaters Farm staff during the growing season while practicing sound stewardship, maintaining equipment, and operating tractors and other machinery, among other general farm tasks.

The application period for this position has closed. Thank you for your interest! Application materials should have been sent by no later than Friday, June 10^th, 2016.

The 2016 Naturescaped Yard Tour was a success!

Thanks to everybody who attended our Naturescaped Yard Tour! The event took place on Saturday, May 14th. Six residential yards and two school yards were featured in the tour, each showcasing unique and creative ways of integrating naturescaping and stormwater management. In spite of a little rainy weather, over 400 people attended the tour! Stay tuned; we will post more information and photos from the event soon.