Rural Residents

Rural Residents

We help rural residents care for land through conservation practices, technical assistance, and free site visits.

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Discover

Workshops
Rural Living Handbook (PDF)
Manure Connection

Healthy Habitats

Rural Weeds
Native Plant Guide

StreamCare

StreamCare Program
StreamCare Testimonials
Sample StreamCare Agreement
Urban Residents

Urban Residents

Free resources and expert guidance to help urban residents create healthy, sustainable yards and gardens that support community, well-being, and the environment.

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Our Services

Workshops
Free Advice and Inspiration

Resources

Native Plant Guide
Conservation Directory
Cardboard Connection
Manure Connection

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Naturescaping
Stormwater Soluctions
Rain Gardens
Urban Weeds
Healthy Soil
Water Conservation
Farmers & Growers

Farmers & Growers

We help farmers and growers assure that farmland is protected and healthy for generations to come.

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Programs and Services

Programs for Farmers and Growers
Workshops
Manure Connection
Request a Site Visit
Rural Living Handbook (PDF)

Farm Protection

Working Farmland Protection
Forever Farm Projects
Access to Farmland

Farm Planning for Conservation

How We Can Help
Conservation Practices

Farm Business Incubator

Headwaters Farm
Our Farmers
Application
Community Grants

Community Grants

By supporting community-led projects that meet our mission, we help drive local impact.

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Partners in Conservation (PIC) Grants

About PIC Grants
Apply for a PIC Grant

Past PIC Grant Recipients

Spotlight: PIC Grant Recipients
2025 PIC Grant Recipients
2024 PIC Grant Recipients
2023 PIC Grant Recipients

Special Projects and Community Events (SPACE) Grants

About SPACE Grants
Apply for a SPACE Grant

Past SPACE Grant Recipients

2024 SPACE Grant Recipients
Events

Events

View our calendar of board and committee meetings, yard and garden workshops, and workshops for farmers — plus recorded webinars and more.

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Discover

All Events
Board and Committee Meetings

Webinars

Recorded Webinars

Workshops

Yard and Garden Workshops
Workshops for Farmers
Workshop Resources
About

About Us

We provide free education programs and practical assistance to help residents, nonprofits, landowners and land managers care for land and water.

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Explore

About Us
Zones
News
Office & Landscape
Reports & Documents
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our Team

Board
Staff
Committees
Employment

Staff

On this page:

Meet the EMSWCD Staff

Alex Woolery

IT and Analytic Specialist

Asianna Fernandez

Executive Assistant

Cat Ayala

Urban Lands Education and Outreach Coordinator

Chelsea White-Brainard

Senior Outreach and Engagement Coordinator

Chris Aldassy

Senior Rural Conservationist

Dan Mitten

Chief of Finance and Operations

Heather Nelson Kent

Community Outreach and Engagement Supervisor

Isa Rojas

Rural Conservation Technician

Jeremy Baker

Senior Rural Conservationist

Jon Wagner

Senior Rural Conservationist

Julia Pacheco-Cole

Outreach and Engagement Communications Assistant

Kathy Shearin

Urban Lands Program Supervisor

Katie Meckes

Senior Outreach and Engagement Coordinator

Kelley Beamer

Executive Director

Matt Shipkey

Land Legacy Program Manager

Monica McAllister

Community Connections Liaison

Nick Pfeil

Headwaters Farm Operations Specialist

Rowan Steele

Headwaters Farm Program Manager

Sasha Schwenk

Operations Administrative Assistant

Scot Wood

Facilities and Fleet Manager

Whitney Bailey

Senior Urban Conservationist

Alex Woolery

IT and Analytic Specialist

Asianna Fernandez

Executive Assistant

Dan Mitten

Chief of Finance and Operations

Sasha Schwenk

Operations Administrative Assistant

Scot Wood

Facilities and Fleet Manager

Chris Aldassy

Senior Rural Conservationist

Isa Rojas

Rural Conservation Technician

Jeremy Baker

Senior Rural Conservationist

Jon Wagner

Senior Rural Conservationist

Matt Shipkey

Land Legacy Program Manager

Nick Pfeil

Headwaters Farm Operations Specialist

Rowan Steele

Headwaters Farm Program Manager

Cat Ayala

Urban Lands Education and Outreach Coordinator

Kathy Shearin

Urban Lands Program Supervisor

Monica McAllister

Community Connections Liaison

Whitney Bailey

Senior Urban Conservationist

Chelsea White-Brainard

Senior Outreach and Engagement Coordinator

Heather Nelson Kent

Community Outreach and Engagement Supervisor

Julia Pacheco-Cole

Outreach and Engagement Communications Assistant

Katie Meckes

Senior Outreach and Engagement Coordinator

Recent News

From the Field

29 New Community Projects Awarded $1.3 Million in Funding

Supporting community efforts is key to our mission of helping people care for land and water. At EMSWCD, we are...

Upcoming EMSWCD Board and Committee Meetings

The East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District (EMSWCD), serving all of Multnomah County east of the Willamette River, has...

EMSWCD and Good Rain Farm partner on the protection of 14-acre Forever Farm

Protecting Good Rain Farm gets big smiles from buyer Michelle Week and Matt Shipkey, the District’s Land Legacy Program Manager...

Remembering our former Director Bob Sallinger

Bob Sallinger was a fierce and effective advocate for urban conservation. Photo credit Vince Patton, OPB The staff and board...

Thinking about Retiring From Your Agricultural or Forestry Operation?

Thinking about the future can feel overwhelming, but planning ahead helps make sure your hard work continues to support future...

We listened to farmers and made some changes to our working farmland program

EMSWCD is working to ensure a future for agriculture in East Multnomah County. Our farming community has let us know...

EMSWCD has a new Executive Director!

We are thrilled to announce the selection by the Board of Directors of our new Executive Director, Kelley Beamer! Kelley...

Watch our rain garden installation feature on “This Old House”

EMSWCD partnered recently with This Old House for a feature demonstrating how to plan the site for a rain garden...

Weed Wrenches now available at local tool libraries!

It is a great time to start pulling invasive species like the Tree of Heaven. We just delivered Weed...

Rural Residents

Urban Residents

Farmers & Growers

Community Grants

Events

About Us

Staff

Meet the EMSWCD Staff

Recent News

29 New Community Projects Awarded $1.3 Million in Funding

Upcoming EMSWCD Board and Committee Meetings

EMSWCD and Good Rain Farm partner on the protection of 14-acre Forever Farm

Remembering our former Director Bob Sallinger

Thinking about Retiring From Your Agricultural or Forestry Operation?

We listened to farmers and made some changes to our working farmland program

EMSWCD has a new Executive Director!

Watch our rain garden installation feature on “This Old House”

Weed Wrenches now available at local tool libraries!