Category Archives: Archive

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

Jay Udelhoven and all three Watershed Council Executive Directors sign the SPA agreement.

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 10th, 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.

We are hiring for a temporary Invasive Weed Technician!

EMSWCD office

Update, 5/2/2016: The application period for this position has now closed. Thank you for your interest!

We are hiring for an Invasive Weed Technician! This position works with our Rural Lands team to map and control high-priority invasive weeds, with the long-term goals of restoration of native plant communities, protecting ecosystem processes and water quality, and preventing erosion.

The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills, a helpful personality, and experience in restoration, vegetation management and utilizing mapping technology and software. This position is part time (20 hours per week) and temporary; the job will begin in May and end on September 30th, 2016.

Learn more about the position here.

Getting rid of invasive garlic mustard!

patch of invasive garlic mustard, flowering

Garlic mustard is a very invasive, fast-spreading weed, and Multnomah County has the worst infestation of it in Oregon. The roots produce a chemical that is toxic to other plants, and it can grow in most soil types. It can also grow in full sun or full shade, making it a threat to a wide variety of our native plants and habitats. You can help get rid of it, though – read on for some important tips about pulling up and getting rid of garlic mustard.

Many other plants are often mistaken for garlic mustard, especially before the flowers come up. Control is easiest when garlic mustard plants are in bloom (usually beginning in April), unless you can easily identify the rosettes (leaves) of the plant. Hand removal can be a successful technique in small patches that can be visited often and re-pulled frequently. Learn how to pull up garlic mustard and see more photos after the break! Read more

Nurseries: help us help you!

We would like to get a better understanding of your needs when it comes to preventing soil erosion. We are working with Pivot Group to conduct a phone survey over the next few weeks. Your answers will be compiled with other respondents to give us a better idea of the challenges you face and how we can help you address them.

Please contact Chelsea for more information: chelsea@emswcd.org or (503) 935-5376.

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