Our History & Our District
Explore the history of EMSWCD and how we got our start. From forests to farms, neighborhoods to natural areas – see how the district has changed over time, and the people who have helped shape it.
75 Years of Caring for
Land and Water
Seventy-five years ago, farmers across East Multnomah County came together with a simple idea: protect the soil so future generations could thrive.
What began in 1950 as a local vote to fight erosion has grown into a community-wide movement to care for land and water across farms, forests, and neighborhoods.
1950s: Laying the Foundation
The District was born in a county of berry fields, dairies, and nurseries: nearly three-quarters of East Multnomah County was rural farmland, and towns like Gresham, Fairview, and Troutdale were still small farming communities. Early efforts focused on drainage, cover crops, and contour farming-practical tools to keep soil in place and farms productive.
Quick Fact: EMSWCD’s first year saw 140 farm plans completed and thousands of acres planted with cover crops.
1960s: Expanding Horizons
As towns grew and farms gave way to neighborhoods, shopping centers, schools, and roads, the District began to use the word “watershed.” Protecting streams and woodlands was becoming as important as protecting soil.
Quick Fact: In the 1960s, farmland in the District dropped from 162,000 acres to 108,000 in less than a decade as neighborhoods grew.
1970s: A New Environmental Era
The passage of the Clean Water Act brought water quality to the forefront. EMSWCD shifted to tackle nonpoint source pollution - runoff from farms, streets, and development - and began working with a wider audience beyond farmers.
Quick Fact: The District began tackling urban issues; in 1974 its annual report noted that “environmental quality” and “land use” had become everyday words
1980s: A Voice for Urban Conservation
Large portions of farmland had disappeared, but the District responded with a broader focus: helping urban residents create more natural landscapes while continuing to support farmers in rural areas. Despite scarce funding, EMSWCD took on issues like erosion from new development and fought to protect places like Oaks Bottom, which became Portland’s first urban wildlife refuge.
Quick Fact: Funding was scarce – just $1,800 annual budget in 1984!
1990s: Partnerships Take Root
Watershed councils formed, AmeriCorps crews pitched in, and new programs like “Naturescaping for Clean Rivers” showed residents how native plants could beautify yards while protecting streams.
Quick Fact: With volunteers and AmeriCorps crews, the District completed 11 stream inventories in a single year to guide restoration!
2000s: A Turning Point
In recent decades, the land story shifted toward restoring what was lost - protecting stream corridors, reviving wetlands (like Grant Butte and Oaks Bottom), and preserving farmland against development pressure. Voters approved a permanent tax base in 2004, providing resources to expand programs. The District purchased its own headquarters in North Portland and launched popular events like the Native Plant Sale, making conservation accessible to everyone.
Quick Fact: Voters approved stable funding in 2004; by 2008 EMSWCD’s budget grew to $2.6 million!
2010s: Investing in the Future
What was once mostly farmland is now a mix of dense urban neighborhoods, protected natural areas, and working farms. About one-third of EMSWCD’s service area remains rural, one-third urban, and one-third forested. Headwaters Farm opened as Oregon’s first farm business incubator, giving new farmers land, mentorship, and a path to success. Programs like StreamCare helped restore miles of streambanks, planting tens of thousands of native trees and shrubs.
Quick Fact: StreamCare restored 25 miles of waterways with native plantings, while Headwaters Farm incubated a dozen new farm businesses in the 2010s.
Today & Tomorrow
From rain gardens in city neighborhoods to farmland protection in Corbett, EMSWCD continues to help people care for land and water in ways that are practical, voluntary, and community-powered.
Throughout every decade, our mission has remained the same: to support people in caring for the places we all depend on. Whether it’s neighbors turning their yards into pollinator havens, farmers protecting fertile ground, or youth discovering conservation careers, EMSWCD’s story is one of collective action.
This 75th anniversary is not just about looking back. It’s about celebrating the communities, partnerships, and small everyday actions that, together, make a big difference. And it’s about imagining what comes next – ensuring clean water, healthy soils, and thriving natural spaces for the generations who will call this place home.
Thank you for being part of 75 years of conservation action!
In honor of our 75th anniversary, we’re taking time to celebrate what makes our efforts worthwhile: the land, the water, and the people who care for them.
We’re honoring that legacy through a season of events and highlights designed to bring neighbors together, uplift stories of conservation in action, and inspire hope for the future. Whether you’ve joined a workshop, grown a native garden, farmed with care, or simply love the outdoors, we invite you to celebrate with us.
This is your land, your water, and your story. Let’s write the next chapter together.
