Posts by WMSWCD Admin
Stormwater Stars Turns 10!
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 MoreJanuary 16 Board Meeting Rescheduled
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 MoreWe Need You For Our Budget Committee
West Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking community members to serve on the Budget Committee. As a committee member, your input will help shape local conservation efforts. 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…
Read MoreHelp Us Stop the MOB
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 MoreOur Board Can Now Include You
The requirements to join the board of a conservation district just became more inclusive. Now, any registered voter living in a conservation district with at least 250,000 people can now run for Zone-specific board positions in the Zone where they reside or for At-Large board positions. Previously, Zone-specific board seats had requirements of owning or…
Read MoreYou’re Invited: 2023 Annual Meeting
(PHOTO BY PAT WELLE) Join us for our 2023 Annual Meeting! Date & Time: Tuesday, November 28, 2023 Hosted Dinner: 5pmAnnual Meeting & Awards Ceremony: 6pmThere will be an abbreviated Board of Directors meeting following the Annual Meeting Location: The Old Spaghetti Factory, 715 S Bancroft St, Portland OR 97239 Agenda: Present annual report Present…
Read MoreSummer on the water
Our conservation team is busy getting ready for another aquatic weed season in our waterways! Phragmites australis var. australis and Ludwigia (Ludwigia hexapetela and Ludwigia peploides) are the main targets as they have been found occasionally in the Multnomah Channel. Staff will also be keeping an eye out for other priority aquatic weeds that haven’t…
Read MoreAre you interested in serving on our Board of Directors?
The West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District Board of Directors can appoint Associate Directors to contribute additional expertise and energy to the board. What is the role of an Associate Director? Associate Directors are volunteers who reside within the District’s service area. They serve as non-voting members of the Board of Directors. Their input…
Read MoreHow to create and maintain wildlife habitat on your land
There are many things you can do to attract wildlife to your property and improve existing wildlife habitat: Want to improve wildlife habitat on your forest land? The Woodland Fish and Wildlife publication series is for you. A variety of practical “how to” publications are written just for small forest owners in the Pacific Northwest: If you…
Read MoreActions you can take to reduce the impacts of climate change
Tackling climate change might seem like an impossible challenge, but it’s not too late to take positive action. There is still hope! How we use and care for the land around us can reduce dependence on greenhouse gas producing chemicals, use less water, and capture carbon in the soil. Consider making a few small changes…
Read MoreWhen in drought, choose native plants
A native plant is indigenous to a specific location. This includes trees, flowers, grasses and other plants that are naturally found (or have existed for many years) in the area. Incorporating native plants throughout your landscape benefits local wildlife and fosters biodiversity. Not only are native plants preferred by native birds, bees and other wildlife, they…
Read MoreHow to prepare your family and home for wildfire
As summers grow longer and hotter from climate change, wildfires are burning hotter and longer and are increasingly destructive. If you live in a suburban neighborhood, near Forest Park or other large forested area, or in the more rural reaches of Multnomah County, you need to be ready for fire near your home. In 1940…
Read More