Category Archives: Archive

EMSWCD featured in COLT “State of the Lands” report

cover image for COLT 2020 report

EMSWCD’s Headwaters Farm and Mainstem Farm were both featured in the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT) “State of the Lands” 2020 report! The feature covers our Headwaters Incubator Program, which leases land and equipment to farmers launching their new farm businesses, and details how a graduate of the program is now farming on the adjacent Mainstem Farm, which was acquired by EMSWCD through its Working Farmland Protection Program.

There are also ten other features in the report detailing the work and successes of land trusts and other organizations working to protect vital natural lands in Oregon.

Read the COLT report here.

A message from EMSWCD in Solidarity

Dear partners and friends,

At EMSWCD, we stand in solidarity with the movement striving to hold law enforcement accountable, and with the protestors demanding nothing less than a just, equitable, and inclusive society.

On May 25th, 2020, George Floyd died at the hands of police, an institution meant to protect him. He was unarmed. His murder is among the latest in a long pattern of brutality and discrimination towards Black members of our community – Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, and too many others. The loss of their lives is an overwhelming tragedy.

At EMSWCD, our mission is to help people care for land and water. We cannot care for land and water without caring for people. Throughout American history, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color have been forcibly removed from and denied access to land. They have experienced significantly greater impacts from contaminated water and soils, polluted air, flooding, fire, and the increasing effects of climate change. We can do better. Until everyone has equal access to a safe and healthy environment, dismantling racism must be central to our work.

When we are not actively fighting against racism, we are perpetuating it with our silence and inaction. We must be anti-racist. EMSWCD is committed to using our power and privilege to stand with the Black community and help dismantle the racist system. We are committed to listening, learning, and speaking out against injustice. We will make mistakes. We will build practices to check our privilege, but we know it may still sometimes obscure our view of what is right and urgent.

We ask you to hold us accountable and we ask you to join us in this work.

Stay safe. Take care of yourself. May you find the highest and best use of your voice, and be sustained on this long journey by love, hope, healing, and connection.

Carrie Sanneman
Board of Directors, Chair
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District

Public hearing notice regarding conservation easement: June 23rd, 2020

EMSWCD will hold a telephonic public hearing on June 23rd, 2020 at 1:00 PM in connection with the acquisition of a working farmland easement to encumber property located at SE 322nd Avenue, Gresham, OR 97080 and identified as Tax Parcel numbers 1S4E16B-00300 and 1S4E16B-00400. This easement will ensure the agricultural resource values of the property are protected in perpetuity.

Interested persons may submit written testimony prior to the hearing to Matt Shipkey at matt@emswcd.org, or may attend the hearing in person by calling 1 (877) 568-4106 and using the access code 505-109-629.

Additional information on the working farmland easement may be obtained by contacting Matt Shipkey, Land Legacy Program Manager at (503) 935 5374 or matt@emswcd.org.

Garlic Mustard 2020 update

a field of invasive garlic mustard is flowering

EMSWCD Garlic Mustard control during Covid-19 pandemic:

Our staff and contractors will continue to implement our garlic mustard containment project to the best of our abilities during this crisis. However, our capacity to provide services has been greatly reduced in the last few weeks, and will be for the near future. We are currently working with State, Federal and local officials to gain access to lands with garlic mustard that are currently closed.

Because of our limitations we are encouraging anyone with a garlic mustard infestation on their property to take advantage of the extra time at home to pull and bag the plants located on your own property. You can dispose of bagged garlic mustard at the dumpster provided by EMSWCD, located at the old ball field at the top of Corbett Hill Road. Please be sure to sanitize your hands before and after touching the door to the dumpster.

We’ve made a lot of progress in the last ten years, and this year more than ever we need your help so that we don’t lose ground in our fight against garlic mustard.

Read more

Public hearing notice regarding conservation easement: April 21st, 2020

stream running through a vegetated area with trees in the near distance

EMSWCD will hold a telephonic public hearing on April 21st, 2020 at 1:00 PM in connection with the acquisition of a conservation easement to encumber property located at 29139 SE Stone Road, Boring, OR 97080. This easement will ensure the natural and agricultural resource values of the property are protected in perpetuity.

Interested persons may submit written testimony prior to the hearing to Matt Shipkey at matt@emswcd.org, or may appear in person by calling 1 (877) 309-2073 and using the access code 715-251-493.

Additional information on the conservation easement may be obtained by contacting Matt Shipkey, Land Legacy Program Manager at (503) 935 5374 or matt@emswcd.org.

Link

Land Legacy Committee Meeting on March 30th rescheduled – now begins at 5:00 PM

The Land Legacy Committee meeting, originally scheduled for 4:00 PM Monday, March 30th, has been rescheduled and now begins at 5:00 PM. This will be a teleconference meeting. For more details on the meeting and how to attend please visit our Land Legacy Committee page.

EMSWCD Board Updates, February 2020

Laura Masterson (left) presents Allison Hensey with a service award

Laura Masterson (left) presents Allison Hensey with a service award

At the February Board meeting, At-Large 2 Director Allison Hensey resigned from her position on the EMSWCD Board of Directors. We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Allison for seven years of dedicated service to the East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District. Among her many valuable contributions, Allison has done terrific work helping advance diversity, equity and inclusion at EMSWCD, and serving as our Board Chair over the last year guiding the organization through a time of transition.

Carrie Sanneman, formerly our Associate Director, has been appointed to the At-Large 2 position. To learn more about our Board members, as well as view upcoming meetings and agendas, please visit our Board section.

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