Posts by WMSWCD Admin
Actions 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 MoreWinner of the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
We are pleased to announce that the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has again awarded our District the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, this time for our fiscal year 2022-2023 budget. This is the third consecutive year that we have been awarded this honor, and reflects the commitment of our Board of Directors and staff to meeting…
Read MoreWelcome our 2023 Climate Change Intern
West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District is incredibly fortunate to be hosting Araon Sierras as our second Portland State University (PSU) Institute for Sustainable Solutions (ISS) Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Climate Change Intern. During this internship, Araon will be building off the “climate lens” work completed by last year’s intern, in…
Read MoreLudwigia is on the loose!
If you’re boating around Portland’s rivers, you may see one of the Ludwigia aquatic plant species that live here. There is one native species (Ludwigia palustris) and two non-native species (Ludwigia peploides and Ludwigia hexapetala), also known as water primrose, all of which look fairly similar. Non-native Ludwigia species are on our “Early Detection and…
Read MoreForest Park neighbors join against ivy and wildfire risk
(Photo: Sarah Heinicke is leading the charge for her neighborhood to be more wildfire resilient.) The Springville area of Forest Park, in the Linnton neighborhood, is a small community of hilly streets tucked up against the eastern edge of Forest Park, across from the St. Johns Bridge. For several of the residents directly abutting the…
Read MoreOn the lookout for emerald ash borer in western Multnomah County
The emerald ash borer was found in Forest Grove (Washington County, Oregon) and state officials are asking the public to learn what it looks like and to report any sightings online at the Oregon Invasive Species Council hotline. This insect is now considered the most destructive forest pest in North America and will decimate native ash stands. …
Read MoreOur new Forest Conservationist
After a very competitive hiring process, Laura Taylor was selected as the District’s new Forest Conservationist, replacing Michael Ahr who now serves with Benton Soil and Water Conservation District in Corvallis. Taylor was formerly the District’s Conservationist & Education Coordinator and has been on staff since 2014. In her previous role, Taylor provided monitoring, project…
Read MoreHave you heard about Stormwater Stars?
Guest post by Stormwater Programs Specialist, Rachel Dvorsky Stormwater Stars are properties that have improved their landscaping to help manage rain in our city. By making improvements at many small sites we are creating a larger constellation of stars that together make a big impact. Do you have an area of your yard that is…
Read MoreSo what is GIS, exactly?
By Shahbaz Khan, GIS & Field Conservation Intern In the past couple of years, you might have come across the term “GIS” and found it puzzling. Being told it stands for “Geographic Information Systems” doesn’t really help since it sounds like something straight out of science fiction. If you’re anything like me when I first…
Read MoreGiving back to the soil – cover crops are an easy start
Reciprocity is the exchange of things for the mutual benefit of those involved. When talking about a relationship with soil on a conventional working farm or forest, there is often a one way exchange – growing food or fiber then just walking away. Chemical additives can make up for the nutrients that are taken from…
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