Partners!
To help support healthy habitats for Oregonians, the Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Directors has awarded support grants to the ten watershed councils in Clackamas County. All watershed councils located wholly or partially in Clackamas County were invited to apply for the grants, and all received support awards.
Tom Salzer, manager for Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District remarks, “It makes sense to leverage our dollars with councils to realize more conservation in Clackamas County. Funding for partners assures that there are more boots on the ground to help landowners. The county will see more restoration on streamside areas that are eroding, more trees and shrubs covering bare streambanks, and more fish and wildlife habitat. Where District and council goals align, we can accomplish a lot more by working together.“
For some watershed councils the funds are used to match grants that will repair a fish barrier or provide trees and shrubs for stream shade. Other councils use the grant funds to pay for administrative costs that are not covered by project grants. “This funding allows us to move forward with on-the-ground projects that would have otherwise been impossible,” stated Kay Patteson of Molalla River Watch. “With Conservation District support, our organization will be able to accomplish more outreach to landowners. We very much appreciate the partnership.”
The conservation district/watershed council combination is a natural partnership. Both groups have different customers and work with different landowners, but share the common goal of natural resource restoration and protection. In Clackamas County the watershed councils and conservation district meet quarterly to share ideas, update each other on projects and find new ways to partner for better projects and more efficient use of money. It is a partnership that works. All agree that Clackamas County citizens and natural resources benefit when groups choose to work together.
