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.…

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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…

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We Need You For Our Budget Committee

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

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…

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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…

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Our Board Can Now Include You

5 staff members standing on the shore of Sturgeon Lake, shot taken from a drone

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…

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You’re Invited: 2023 Annual Meeting

WMSWCD Annual Meeting words over fern background

(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…

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Summer on the water

Aerial view of a kayaker on Sturgeon Lake near green trees and shrubs on shore.

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…

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Are you interested in serving on our Board of Directors?

Aerial view of Sauvie Island, Oregon

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…

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How to create and maintain wildlife habitat on your land

a yellow spider catches a fly on top of a yellow flower

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…

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Actions you can take to reduce the impacts of climate change

hand scattering seeds on dark soil

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…

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When in drought, choose native plants

Great camas in bloom with 6 petal flowers in front of green background

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…

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How to prepare your family and home for wildfire

home in background with open green space and three trees in foreground

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…

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