The Grant Butte Natural Area just got bigger!

Thanks to a recent collaboration between EMSWCD and Metro, an additional 15 acres adjoining the existing Grant Butte Natural Area was acquired for wildlife habitat and public open space uses. This acquisition adds to the existing 88 acre natural area, providing a significant expanse of natural open space for the residents of East Portland and the City of Gresham.

“We are excited to build upon our prior partnership with Metro to further enhance this community asset,” said EMSWCD Board Chair Rick Till. “These types of collaborations are critical to protecting the important natural resources that make our area such a special place.”

“Metro is proud to support the purchase of the property with $210,000 from the natural areas bond measure voters approved in 2006,” said Jonathan Blasher, Parks and Nature director. “The new acquisition at Grant Butte Wetlands will help protect clean water, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and provide people with opportunities to enjoy nature close to home.”

The land will be owned and managed by Metro as part of their natural areas portfolio. Metro will also engage the community in a public planning process to explore possibilities for expanding public access at the site. Read more →

Registration is now open for Soil School 2018! This exciting and fun one-day workshop on all things soil will be held Saturday, April 7^th from 8:00am to 4:00pm at the PCC Rock Creek Event Center. Soil School is sponsored this year by West Multnomah SWCD, Tualatin SWCD and OSU Extension.

Soil School 2018 will be a day packed full of information for small acreage farmers, landscapers, gardeners, grounds managers and anyone else who wants to improve their soil. The health of your soil determines the health of everything growing in it—the food you eat and the crops you produce.

Learn more and register here

This year, Soil School is approved for Oregon Landscape Contractors Board Continuing Education Hours (CEH)! Certificates will be available to registered landscape professionals.

We’d like to introduce our two new Associate Board Directors, Carrie Sanneman and Mike Gerel! Both Mike and Carrie come to EMSWCD with extensive backgrounds in conservation, restoration and water quality. Carrie manages the Clean Water program at Willamette Partnership, and Mike is the Director of Programs at Sustainable Northwest. Learn more about Mike, Carrie, and the rest of our Board on our Board page.