The Clackamas County SWCD is pleased to provide our annual report for fiscal year 2013-2014. The report covers the period from July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014.
Control for drip irrigation system
Selected highlights from the report:
- We streamlined our internal process for planning, designing, getting approval, and implementing projects.
- More irrigation system improvements were implemented, saving water and reducing erosion.
- We reached out in new ways, including a billboard about tansy ragwort.
- Planning and constructing manure composting facilities continued to be a significant part of our workload.
- We resuscitated our equipment rental program (more information to come in a few months).
- Our partnerships with other organizations grew in number and strength, helping us (and them) to be more successful.
- Habitat and fish passage were improved with the removal of an old agricultural weir on Corral Creek.
- We’re working on several habitat projects including oak savannah restoration.
- We designed and helped to install a pollinator garden at the Boeckman School.
- To celebrate our Milk Creek work, we held a celebration that made quite a splash.
- Soil health was the focus of our work at the Beavercreek Demonstration Farm, plus we made some significant repairs.
- Riparian Specialist Jenne Reische was recognized by the Special Districts Association of Oregon with a statewide Outstanding Special District Service Award.
That’s not all!
Along the way, we accomplished far more than this short list conveys. For example, a small watershed in the Clackamas River basin was one of two areas for a new water quality approach being tested by the Oregon Department of Agriculture. We maintained strong support of watershed councils and farmers markets in Clackamas County. Management of invasive weeds continues to be a substantial part of our work to benefit people, wildlife, and water quality.
All told, the District invested ten times the amount of money in actual conservation work performed on private lands and through partners than just five years ago.
What’s next?
We’re working on a voluntary program to help protect working lands so that future generations will have places to farm and to grow trees, with all the habitat and clean water benefits that come from good land management practices.
The entire team of Board members, employees, and partners appreciates the support of the many people who choose to work with us to assure clean water, healthy soil, and beneficial habitat.
