Conservation Planning

Services

What is a conservation plan?

A conservation plan is a document that can help property owners and land managers meet their goals for their land. Plans include practices designed to protect air and water quality, and restore habitat for plant, animal, and soil health. They also aim to reduce wildfire risk and mitigate for and adapt to climate change.

Who needs a conservation plan?

Anyone who manages more than one acre of land can benefit from developing a conservation plan. Plans are suitable for:

  • Large and small farms
  • Properties with crops, pasture, horses or other livestock
  • Properties with wetlands, woodlands, streams or riparian areasRiparian areas The land alongside a creek, river, pond, or other body of water
  • Properties with large open spaces
  • Large residential areas, like a homeowner association, especially if there is an adjacent natural area
  • Properties with 5 acres or more of forested land are eligible for help with a forest stewardship plan
    Learn more about creating a forest stewardship plan

Developing a conservation plan is purely voluntary and its contents are merely a roadmap to action, not a binding commitment. The land manager decides what elements of the plan to implement and when, and can adapt it as needed.

On this page:

    How can a conservation plan help me?

    • Save time and money

      Putting a conservation plan into action can save you money. Doing so can also help make your efforts more efficient over time as your land becomes more productive and nagging problems are resolved.

    • Property value

      Improvements completed under a plan—whether they be a compost facility for your horse manure, a buffer of native trees along your stream, or a more resilient forest—can also increase your property’s value.

      Learn more about our Streams & Wetlands services

    • Improve health

      You can improve the health of your animals and your soil, increase yields from crop and pasture, and protect desirable trees and other plants by removing invasive weeds.

    • Regulations

      Having a conservation plan in place may help your operation meet regulatory requirements and pave the way for future restoration funding and protection.

    • It's rewarding!

      Finally, it’s educational and fun to learn more about your land and its potential! It’s rewarding to deepen your relationship with the land and know that you are improving it for yourself, your animal community, and future generations.

    How are conservation plans created?

    We work with interested and eligible property owners and land managers to create a customized plan that meets their vision for their land. Our plans take into consideration the landowner’s ability to work on conservation projects.

    Plans include guidance tailored to each property:

    • Site-specific information gathered by our conservation staff
    • Natural resource problems and opportunities on the property and surrounding landscape
    • Site maps of relevant resource features
    • Recommended conservation actions
    • A timeline for completing conservation actions
    • Resources to help implement recommended conservation actions

    Conservation plans are provided free-of-charge, and are available for properties one acre or larger in size, on a priority basisPriority basis Larger properties, those that include neighboring properties, and those with high priority habitats and land-uses, as well as others that meet West Multnomah SWCD’s current strategic goals, are prioritized..

    How does conservation planning work?

    • 1 One of our conservation staff walks your property with you.
    • 2 You share your goals and vision for your land.
    • 3 We make observations and collect data at the site.
    • 4 We prepare plan maps and a draft plan with recommended actions.
    • 5 You review and comment on the draft plan and maps.
    • 6 We do additional research and surveys if needed, and revise the plan.
    • 7 You decide what to implement and when, with help from us, if desired.
    • 8 You start work on projects, with help from us, if applicable.
    • 9 Together, we evaluate outcomes and adjust actions as needed.

    Learn more about the planning process we use when working on large-scale plans with our federal partner, U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service.

    Need a plan for your land?

    Find out if you're in our service area.

    Service Area

    Funding may be available for a project on your land:

    Staff contact

    Request Assistance

    Kammy Kern-Korot

    (she/her)

    Senior Conservationist

    Contact me about:

    Oregon oak, savanna, wetlands and riparianRiparian areas The land alongside a creek, river, pond, or other body of water habitats; Emerald Ash and Mediterranean Oak Borers; conservation planning and native plantings for pollinators and other wildlife on rural lands.
    503-238-4775
    x 108
    971-265-9870

    Ariana Scipioni

    (she/her)

    Urban Conservationist

    503-238-4775
    x103
    971-801-7290

    Scott Gall

    Farm & Soil Conservationist

    Contact me about:

    Soil health; Farms and livestock; Equity and inclusion
    503-238-4775
    x 105
    971-265-9868

    Michelle Delepine

    Conservationist & Invasive Species Program Coordinator

    Contact me about:

    Invasive species
    503-238-4775
    x 115
    971-265-9874

    Laura Taylor

    Forest Conservationist

    Contact me about:

    Forest and woodland health; Wildfire risk in rural forests; Plants; Pollinators.
    503-238-4775
    x 112
    971-265-9873