Meet our Newest Staff: Ariana and Eleanor

A split image of two women. On left, Ariana stands smiling hugging a large tree. To the right, Eleanor has a headshot where she smiles at the camera in black glasses.

We’re excited to welcome our newest staff members to the team at West Multnomah SWCD! Ariana Scipioni joins us as an Urban Conservationist, bringing extensive experience in wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. Eleanor Greene, our new communications specialist, will enhance our community outreach with her expertise in media and publications. Ariana Scipioni Urban Conservationist Ariana…

Read More

Remembering Kim Peterson

It is with heavy hearts that we share that our long-time board member, Kim Peterson, recently passed away at the age of 74. Kim spent her entire life on Sauvie Island, where her family managed a 250-acre dairy farm during her upbringing. Over the years, the farm evolved into a beef operation and now includes…

Read More

Salmon and Sturgeon Return to Sauvie Island’s Dairy Creek

Coho swimming up a river

How far would you travel to get to Dairy Creek? If you are coming from West Multnomah SWCD’s office, you’d travel about 20 miles north and across Sauvie Island to get to where Reeder Road crosses Dairy Creek at Bill’s Crossing. You can’t map swimming routes on Google Maps, but some salmonids (meaning all types…

Read More

Meet Our 2024 Interns!

Gloria on the left, Merek on the right

We are excited to welcome our 2024 interns, who join us for a term from April through early October. They work on a variety of projects, from conservation plans and technical work in the office to site visits and invasives removal in our district. Welcome to the team, Gladys and Merek! Gladys Nava-Jacobo (above left)…

Read More

Notice of Budget Committee Meeting, April 30, 2024

many hands interacting with a printed graph

A public meeting of the Budget Committee of the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District will take place on 4/30/24, at 6:00PM via Zoom to discuss the budget for the fiscal year July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. The purpose of this public meeting is to receive comments from the public on the…

Read More

Soil School 2024

Banner that says Soil School with event details (all in post as well)

Calling all gardeners– from aspiring to advanced–to Soil School 2024! The event offers 8 sessions taught by experts to learn about how improving soil health improves plant, garden, and habitat health. $35 covers the whole day, plus breakfast and lunch. Scholarships are available, see details and registration link below. Saturday, April 13, 2024 | 8:30…

Read More

Welcome New Demographic Data Analyst Intern Aurora 

Picture of young woman with braids smiling and holding bouquet of lavender in a shady outdoor area.

Aurora Villa Juan joined our staff team in January as our Demographic Data Analyst Intern. In this role, Aurora will work with a data analyst mentor at Portland State University and our staff to help the District collect and analyze information to help inform strategies that will further accountability to diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.…

Read More

Stormwater Stars Turns 10!

Community members plant a small garden under a tree.

Stormwater Stars is now 10 years old! This great program provides instruction for District residents with in a suite of yard-scale practices that catch or absorb rainfall to reduce or eliminate surface runoff, erosion, and flooding. These are common in Portland’s West Hills, due to steep slopes, high groundwater tables, and poorly draining clay soils.…

Read More

January 16 Board Meeting Rescheduled

On a background that looks like ice it says "Tonight's board meeting and public hearing postponed"

Due to inclement weather and widespread power outages, West Multnomah SWCD’s January board meeting that was scheduled for 1/16/24 will now be held on 1/23/24 at 6pm. The public hearing that had been scheduled for 1/16/24 will now be held at the board meeting on 2/20/24. Both the January and February meetings will be held on Zoom.  Please…

Read More

We Need You For Our Budget Committee

Group of people drawn in a colorful cartoon style, all taking part in environmental activities

Are you interested in protecting the natural spaces in your community?Do you like numbers?Would you like a say in how tax dollars are spent?Do you want to give back to your community? If the answer is yes, then we need you! West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking community members to serve on…

Read More

Help Us Stop the MOB

Mediterranean Oak Borer on an oak tree. Photo by Christine Buhl.

The Mediterranean Oak Borer (MOB) is a tiny beetle that spreads fungus as it drills into oak trees, which eventually kills the trees. MOB infestations have already been found on 16 oak trees in the North Willamette Valley, and particularly concerning is their targeting of Oregon White Oak trees (Quercus garryana). Oregon white oaks are…

Read More