POLK SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
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Tribal Perspectives on Restoring Local Ecosystems with Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Dr. David Lewis, Grand Ronde Tribal member, OSU Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Indigenous Studies, and author will discuss Kalapuya tribal perspectives on restoring local ecosystems with Traditional Ecological Knowledge. The presentation will raise awareness of native perspectives on conservation issues, share environmental history of the area including Lake Labish, John Neal, Lower Mill Creek, Waller and Penitentiary Dam, allow for discussion on how we can work together for natural resources conservation, and provide insights on how different organizations help with land management and conservation.

Local work group meeting - 01/26/2024

Due the technical challenges, we do not have a zoom recording available this year. See the links below for the presentation slides and a summary of the discussion in small groups. 
  • Presentation slides
  • Small Group discussion summary

Local Work Group meeting - 1/27/2023

Local Work Group Meetings are a valuable part of our planning process, providing an opportunity for local land managers and colleagues to be part of the collaborative effort to improve natural resources within our County. We reviewed the top 3 priorities and funding opportunities under the NRCS Long Range Plan (1) Soil Health and Water Quality Principles, (2) Forest Resiliency in the face of climate change, and (3) Oak Restoration for Wildlife.
Presentation Slides
Links from Presentation:
  • NRCS - Polk County
  • Polk County Long Range Plan
  • Pacific Northwest Cover Crop Selection Tool
  • Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
  • Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Grants
  • Environmental Quality Initiatives Program (EQIP)
  • Forest Practices Act
  • Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP)
  • Climate Smart Mitigation Activities
  • COMET tools
  • Conservation Innovation Grants
  • Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program
  • OSU Extension - Small Farms Program
  • Polk SWCD Events
  • Polk SWCD Resources

The Birds of cornerstone - 4/26/2022

The Polk Soil and Water Conservation District hosted a free zoom presentation – The Birds of Cornerstone, by Harry Fuller of the Salem Audubon Society. Watch as Harry will highlight some of the bird species that can be found at Cornerstone, an 87-acre conservation easement, managed by Polk SWCD. Cornerstone is situated in northcentral Polk County and has a unique combination of habitats, including heritage oaks, that draw a wide variety of bird species.
​
Harry is the co-founder of Partnership for International Birding. He is an avid bird blogger and is the author of Freeway Birding, San Francisco to Seattle, and co-author of Great Owls of California, Oregon and Washington. Harry has been instrumental in the upcoming installation of the Motus Wildlife Tracking Network at Ankeny Wildlife Refuge. We are grateful to have Harry here to share his enthusiasm of birds. 

climate resilience & agriculture - 4/20/2022

Polk SWCD hosted an Earth Day Webinar – Climate Resilience & Agriculture
​
The backbone of the Willamette Valley is agriculture and working lands. With our changing climate, it is ever more important to incorporate practices that build resilience and strengthen operations. Hear from our local experts and ag producers on ways they are addressing this topic.

• Ashley Rood – Co-Director, Oregon Climate & Agriculture Network (OrCAN)
• Evelyn Conrad – District Conservationist, Natural Resource Conversation Service (NRCS), Polk County
• Pryor Garnett – Owner & Farmer, Garnetts Red Prairie Farm
• Helle Ruddenklau – Owner and Farmer, Ruddenklau Farms
• Brad Ford – Owner & Winemaker, Illahe Vineyards
Follow up Information & Resources:
  • OrCAN: Network Engagement Survey & Lay of the Land & Levers for Change: Farming for Climate Resilience in Oregon 2021 and Beyond 
  • NRCS Oregon - Programs and Resources in your county
  • Video - Farming Robots
  • Article - Real-World Cover Crop Decisions
  • OSU Extension - Fertilizer Guides

LOCAL WORKING GROUP MEETING – 01/28/2022

Local Work Group Meetings are a valuable part of the NRCS and SWCD planning process, providing an opportunity for local land managers to be part of a collaborative effort to improve natural resources within your county. In this meeting, we reviewed the top 3 priorities and funding opportunities under the current NRCS Long Range Plan - (1) Forest Health, (2) Oak Woodland Health, (3) Soil Health & Erosion. We also discussed the new 'Mid Willamette Beaver Partnership', Climate Resiliency for Farmers, and New Technology in Agriculture.

​Regenerative Pasture Management: Part 1 - 12/14/2021

Learn how to manage your farm for healthier animals, plants and soil. Watch this engaging and informative two-part course on Regenerative Pasture Management. You'll hear from Dr. Shayan Ghajar, Organic Pasture and Forages Specialist from OSU Extension, and Jackson Morgan, Farm Specialist with Polk Soil & Water Conservation District.
Watch Part 1
Watch Part 2

​Agricultural Drainage Channel Maintenance Class – 02/24/2021

Polk SWCD hosted a class presented by Tyler Manitsas of Oregon Department of Agriculture on their new program.

NRCS Local Working Group Meeting – 01/29/2021

Local Workgroup Meetings are a valuable part of the NRCS and Polk SWCD planning process, providing an opportunity for local land managers to be part of a collaborative effort to improve natural resources within your county.

​Listen to the meeting audio below:
Polk County Local Work Group meeting

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POLK SOIL & WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT

YOUR LOCAL SOURCE OF CONSERVATION INFORMATION AND ​EDUCATION IN POLK COUNTY, OREGON SINCE 1966

Contact us

580 MAIN STREET,  SUITE A,
DALLAS OR, 97338
​
PHONE: 503-623-9680
OFFICE HOURS: MON.-FRI., 8:00am - 4:30pm
[email protected]
Staff Email & Extensions

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The Polk Soil & Water Conservation District complies with the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and prohibits discrimination in all its programs, services, activities, and materials on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, familial/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, genetic information, veteran’s status, reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 
  • Home
  • Our District
    • What drives us
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors >
      • Join the Board
      • Upcoming Board Meetings
      • Minutes
      • Committees
    • Our Properties
    • This Land
    • Polk SWCD History
    • Operational Documents
  • Our Work
    • Technical Assistance
    • Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) Grant Programs
    • Agriculture Water Quality Program
    • Successful Projects
    • 2023-2024 Annual Report
    • Disaster Assistance
  • Get Involved
    • Upcoming Events
    • Invasive Plant Workshop
    • 2025 Collaborative Conservation Community meeting
    • Join the Board
    • Tool Loan Program
    • Volunteer
    • Community Science
    • 2023 Conservation Award Recipients
    • Make a Donation
  • Stay Informed
    • Resources >
      • Tool Loan Program
      • Producers >
        • Agriculture Water Quality Program
        • SOIL CONSERVATION
        • Livestock
        • Organic Operations
      • Wildfire Ready
      • Forestry >
        • Conifer Focused Forestry
        • Oak Woodland Management
      • Invasive Species >
        • Emerald Ash Borer
        • Mid-Willamette CWMA
        • A-List Priority Weeds
        • The "B" Rated Weeds
        • Aquatic Animal Invaders
        • Reed Canary Grass info
        • Medusahead
      • Wildlife >
        • Fender's Blue Butterfly
        • Pollinators
      • Water Conservation
      • Native Plants
      • Traditional Ecological Knowledge
      • Rural Living Handbook
      • Resources for Youth
    • Cultivating Publication >
      • Cultivating Archive
    • Conservation Spotlight Podcast
    • Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    • News & Announcements
    • Virtual Events Library
    • Our Partners