Activity Report for the Period 7/1/2019 – 7/12/2019

East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ACTIVITIES
Andrew Brown
Note:
  • Andrew Brown, EMSWCD's Conservation Legacy Program Supervisor, is currently serving as Acting Executive Director in the interim. See his report here.
FINANCE & OPERATIONS
ACTIVITIES
Program Supervision / Finance & Budget Dan Mitten
Completed:
  • Work on E.D. transition-related issues, attended transition-related meetings.
  • Presented financial reports at Board meeting at NAYA. Presented update to public records policy at the Board meeting at NAYA.
  • Prepared Board Packet and supported Office Manager position and duties while she was on vacation.
Planned:
  • Will continue to support Board, staff, and Acting/Interim ED on transition.
  • Working on SDIS Workers Compensation Aduti form for FY18-19.
  • Working on F&O Performance Evaluations.
Office Management Lindsay Nelson
Completed:
  • Met with the Board Chair and EMSWCD Team. Met with the Equity Team.
  • Finished first draft of SOP for creating Board and Committee meetings.
  • Updated benefit withholding spreadsheet for payroll. Sent payment checks out.
  • Reviewed agenda and created public notice for upcoming Board of Directors meeting. Setup, recorded, and took minutes for the July Board of Directors meeting.
  • Created and sent out via email a doodle poll for availability for the Board to host a Special Board meeting in July.
  • Took vacation.
Facilities Management Scot Wood
Completed:
  • The final stages of the EV charging station install are moving along nicely! The paver install is scheduled to be finished by today!
  • I've been working on wash station improvements at Headwaters (still) as well as several other miscellaneous projects.
  • The curb stops are in and the electrician has installed the new EV charging station! Yippee!
Planned:
  • Once the pavers are completed, the curb stops go in and the electrician will be out to do the unit install.
  • Once the retaining wall is finished for the new equipment shed, we can start organizing the space for the diesel tank and dumpster. Also at Headwaters, I will be "overseeing" an electric contractor as they replace the transformer and hook up the new meter base in preparation for solar panels that will be installed on the barn and soon to be equipment shed.
  • I will be reviewing the bids for the front step replacement and the building painting.
Marketing & Media Alex Woolery
Completed:
  • Materials: final steps, proofing and printing of redesigned set of 6 Urban Lands brochures, redesign and reorder of mini-notebooks, worked with Matt on drafting Land Legacy outreach mailer.
  • Edited and helped distribute PIC Grants press release, helped coordinate changes, corrections and promotion of Land Legacy working farmland easement story.
  • Out of office for three days.
Planned:
  • Finalize and send newsletter to print, facilitate other print items and outreach, continue work on Naturescaping workbook edits.
  • Help with IT issues including network, software, internet access, maintenance scheduling, etc.
  • Work planning and self-evaluation.
RURAL LANDS
ACTIVITIES
Program Management Julie DiLeone
Completed:
  • Julie was out of office and unable to submit a report.
Rural Water Quality Aaron Guffey
Completed:
  • Inspected installation of an approved CLIP access road project for a nursery.
  • Compiled documentation for two irrigation improvement CLIP grants for the nursery that purchased EMSWCD's Oxbow property.
  • Met regarding a property that a nursery intends to purchase on which EMSWCD would like to put a conservation easement.
Planned:
  • Monitor CLIP projects I have managed.
  • Work with a nursery to install an approved CLIP access road project. Assist the same nursery with irrigation efficiency.
  • Work with the nursery that purchased EMSWCD's Oxbow property to implement conservation practices on the property.
StreamCare Lucas Nipp
Completed:
  • In my capacity on the Western Invasives Network (WIN) Steering Committee I have been assisting in preparing the vacancy announcement for the WIN Coordinator in which we will be releasing soon.
  • I have been doing exit site visits with landowners who are graduating from StreamCare this summer (6 so far). I have also been meeting with landowners to enroll them in the Program this summer (3 currently enrolled, 5 more likely). Also making maps and agreements for the landowners who want to enroll.
  • I've had a crew out doing maintenance on StreamCare sites. 42 acres treated in this reporting period.
Planned:
  • I will be finalizing enrollments for the 2019 StreamCare cohort and visiting all of the sites that will receive initial site preparation next month with Chelsea and the contractor that will be doing the clearing. Chelsea will be managing StreamCare work while I am on vacation.
  • I will have multiple contract crews out conducting maintenance on StreamCare and potentially Land Legacy sites.
  • I will be conducting more exit site visits with landowners who are graduating from the StreamCare Program.
Technical Assistance Jeremy Baker
Completed:
  • I was out on annual leave for a few days surrounding the 4th of July.
  • Chaired the CLIP team meeting. Reviewed 2 potential projects and discussed some program updates (clarifications mostly) for Urban Lands.
Planned:
  • Updating FY19-20 workplan.
  • Planning site visit to landowner looking to address mud issues in confinement area on a horse operation. Filing CLIP application for this project.
  • Working with Measuretek to enhance userabilty. We're trying to create another login option for a participating farmer so that they will be able to tailor the webpage to their needs for trakcing weater and soil moisutre.
Weed Management Chris Aldassy
Completed:
  • False Brome control.
  • Work plan and review documents.
  • We received a report for goats rue, a state and federally A-listed weed. We verified and are now trying to work with the landowner to begin control.
Planned:
  • False Brome continues.
  • I'll be working with contractors to get some weeds work done at several trailheads and parking lots in the Eagle Creek burn area.
  • I'll be following up with the landowner to get on top of the goats rue.
Weed Management Jon Wagner
Completed:
  • I editted and submitted seven years of water quality sampling data to the EPA for upper Johnson and Beaver Creeks.
  • I wrote and illustrated a Waterwoman and Dirtman comic about soil and water health.
  • Chris and I completed first pass surveys and control for knotweed at multiple false brome sites.
Planned:
  • Lucas and I will conduct monthly water quality sampling and wildlife surveys.
  • Chris and I will complete first passes for false brome control at all known sites.
  • Chris and I will survey for and control Impatians bicolor and glandulifera.
Outreach & Education Chelsea White-Brainard
Completed:
  • Vacation from June 26th through July 5th.
  • Met with the Equity Planning Team to work on objectives and strategies for the equity plan. Scheduled the first meeting of my equity small group.
  • Worked with Lucas and Rowan on an outreach strategy for neighbors of the Dianna Pope Natural Area and Headwaters Farm.
Planned:
  • Support Emma Browne on second Headwaters video shoot.
  • Continue refining objectives and strategies for the equity plan. Develop scope of work for contract with the community engagement liaisons that will solicit feedback on aspects of the equity plan.
  • Finalize work plan, complete annual review.
URBAN LANDS
ACTIVITIES
Program Management Kathy Shearin
Completed:
  • Finalized edits/updates to the Naturescaping Workbook.
  • Met with CLIP team (and finalized Urban eligibility language). Met with potential workshop presenter.
  • Finalized contract for MHCC construction work this summer!!
Planned:
  • Drafting yearly contracts for workshop presenters.
  • Meeting with organizational consultants.
Technical Assistance Whitney Bailey
Completed:
  • Conducted several site visits and follow-ups for grant applicants and cost-share inquiries.
  • Worked with staff and contractor on installation of new pervious pavers, and met with irrigation specialist regarding green roof and bike shed watering questions.
  • Provided technical assistance to residents and organizations regarding community garden water use and irrigation needs, native plants, invasive species management, as well as rain garden installation, monitoring and maintenance.
Outreach & Education Monica McAllister
Completed:
  • EMSWCD Tour of NAYA / Board Meeting. Canopy Stories Film Viewing.
  • Researched organizational culture information and resources for monthly DEI discussion Groups.
  • Meetings: Equity Planning Committee, Equity Internal Working Group, Urban Lands meeting about tabling at community events.
Planned:
  • Working with communities on culturally specific/responsive workshopss specifically Voz.
  • Starting the DEI Discussion Groups with EMSWCD Staff.
  • Rosewood Initiative Homeownership Fair.
Outreach & Education Brandi Boersma
Completed:
  • Translated materials into Vietnamese and Spanish through IRCO.
  • NAYA Tour.
  • Working with Leach Botanical Garden on a workshop for the Slavic community.
Planned:
  • Bilingual Pollinators Workshop at Berrydale Garden.
  • Small Equity Groups.
  • NECN Meeting.
Outreach & Education Rhesa Napoli
Completed:
  • Received and processed host request forms. Sent out second host recruitment emails to potential workshop hosts.
  • Posted workshop information and opened registration on website for Fall workshops. Attended potential workshop presenter audition.
  • Tabling at Walk Williams today.
Planned:
  • Continuing to recruit workshop hosts. Make flyers for workshops.
  • Check workshop bins for adequate supplies.
  • Tabling at community event on July 13th at Green Lents/NAYA.
CONSERVATION LEGACY
ACTIVITIES
Program Management Andrew Brown
Completed:
  • Finalized the draft EMSWCD FY19-20 annual work plan.
  • Assisted Matt with advancing a potential working farmland easement deal.
  • Assist Rowan with advancing the procurement of the equipment shed construction at Headwaters.
Planned:
  • Work on the 2019 performance reviews for the Conservation Legacy staff.
  • Host Metro Parks and Nature staff for tour of Headwaters Farm and Land Legacy farmland protection projects.
  • Meet with and assist organizational consultants where needed.
Grants Suzanne Easton
Completed:
  • PIC - Continuing with 2019 contracting - 6 remaining. Closing out 2018 projects - reading reports, final reimbursements.
  • Other grant programs: Processed two SPACE grants, one SPACE site visit, some support for SPA.
  • DEI - Met with internal working group: finalized small group discussion process, discussed 19/20 budget, collecting demographic data, training for new staff/board member.
Planned:
  • Continue to work on 2019 PIC contracts, meet with three 2019 grantees to discuss issues/work plans.
  • DEI: Meeting with Equity Team, work on demographic data options, facilitate small group discussion, attend Equity Grantmakers Network.
  • Performance review.
Land Legacy Matt Shipkey
Completed:
  • Secured approval for complicated working farmland easement transaction with prospective property purchaser, presented to Board.
  • Secured Gresham Outlook article on recent Oxbow transaction, provided interview and materials to Portland Business Journal for article on same.
Planned:
  • Advance outreach elements (newsletter, website, tour).
  • Develop materials for August LLC meeting.
Headwaters Farm Rowan Steele
Completed:
  • End of the quarter and fiscal wrap-up: gathered and compiled data for HIP invoices, conducted the June weed walk, and wrapped up procurements for FY 18-19.
  • Project oversight: continued to support the pad construction for the equipment shed and coordinated the electrical installation for the 400amp service at the barn.
  • Met with the Farmer Development Affinity group and also with Mudbone Grown’s team.
Planned:
  • Offering a crop planning workshop and providing a tour of Headwaters Farm to the statewide cohort of Rogue Farm Corps apprentices.
  • Conducting mid-season check ins with incubator farms.
  • Sourcing an electric UTV for HIP staff use.
Headwaters Farm Stuart Moeller
Completed:
  • Installed plastic along the washstation to improve food safety and worker comfort.
  • Weed management in farm pollinators.
  • Mowing of summer covers and around fields.
Planned:
  • Continuing to manage weeds, mostly in hedgerows and around the DPNA plaque and along the driveway.
  • Servicing tractor implements.
  • Filling in for Scot while he is recovering from surgery.