The Conservation Voice Promoting conservation & the wise use of natural resources in Polk County
Polk Soil & Water Conservation District
Spring 2014
During My First Couple Months as District Manager... By Karin Nembach, PSWCD I began my journey as the district manager about two months ago. The first couple of weeks I spent getting to know my staff and our programs and budget. January was a good month to begin as a district manager because it is the beginning of our annual budget planning process. The first phase of budget planning involves meeting with the directors and assessing what this year’s conservation goals will be, taken from our long range business plan. Then the staff and I look at the goals laid out for us and begin to brainstorm just how many hours and what resources we have to use, or will need to
find, to accomplish those goals. Some of our plans for this year include addressing the Polk County Wildland Urban Interface, developing a long range water quality/ quantity management plan for the Rickreall Watershed, working with the ODA on their Ag Water Quality Program in the Ash Creek Watershed, and providing classroom environmental educational opportunities. I’ve also been meeting a whole “slew” of people in my neighborhood, so to speak. From other SWCD managers to Rotary Club members, to our IT people, to foresters and water quality specialists. I’ve also attended several trainings,
including Local Budget Law and Quick books. Inside this Now that I’m all settled in, I’m looking forward to diving into program Board of directors planning over the next few Contact Us months.
Issue: 2 2
Board of Director Elections
3
Budget Committee Opening
3
Become an Associate Director 3
Karin Nembach District Manager
Wildfire Preparedness Day
4
Upcoming Events
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Youth Education Update
5
Go Paperless
5
Native Plant Sale
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Cover Crop Workshop
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Rickreall Roots and Shoots
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Steelhead Spawning Surveys
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Ag First
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Soil Health Workshops Polk SWCD hosted the first of its two soil health workshops on January 22nd 2014 at the Perrydale Fire Hall. The workshop featured Cory Owens, an NRCS Soil Scientist who gave a presentation on the principles of soil health, integrating current principles into viable
practices as well as how soil microbiology affects crop production. The workshop had a second portion to it where local Polk farmers who have incorporated no-till and cover crop practices into there operations held an open discussion and shared their experiences. If you missed out on the first
workshop Polk SWCD will be hosting a continuation/ 2nd session of the above session in March 2014. Please see our website for the next location and time, or call Marc Bell, Resource Conservationist @ 503-6239680. Ext. 103
Polk SWCD Newsletter
Polk SWCD Board of Directors Polk SWCD is an Oregon Special District administered by seven locally elected directors, who serve without pay for four year terms. Five directors represent landowners from each of the geographic zones in the county and two at large directors represent the entire district. Directors meet monthly to administer the business of Polk SWCD. The Directors donate hundreds of hours on behalf of the residents of Polk County and its Natural Resources.
Nathan Slaven — Zone 3 / Secretary nathan.slaven@polkswcd.com Linda Marquardt-Sutton — Zone 1 / Treasurer linda.marquardt-sutton @polkswcd.com Doug Wyant — Zone 4 doug.wyant@polkswcd.com
David Simmons — Zone 2 / Chair david.simmons@polkswcd.com
Jim Buckovic — Zone 5 jim.buckovic@polkswcd.com
Chad Woods — At-Large / Vice Chair chad.woods@polkswcd.com
Frank Pender — At-Large frank.pender@polkswcd.com
Polk SWCD Board of Directors (Left to right): Doug Wyant, David Simmons, Nathan Slaven, Jim Buckovic, Linda Marquardt-Sutton, Frank Pender, Chad Woods.
Polk SWCD Zone Map
Contact Us Polk SWCD Phone: 503-623-9680 580 Main St. Suite A, Dallas, OR 97338 Karin Nembach — District Manager manager@polkswcd.com Ext. 110 Debbie Miller — Office Manager debbie.miller@polkswcd.com
Ext. 101
Marc Bell — Resource Conservationist marc.bell@polkswcd.com Ext. 103 Liz Graham — Resource Conservationist liz.graham@polkswcd.com Ext. 107 Lucas Hunt — Stewardship Forester lucas.hunt@polkswcd.com Ext. 104 Sawyer Finegan — Outreach Coordinator sawyer.finegan@polkswcd.com Ext. 113 Tom Wilson — District Clerk clerk@polkswcd.com
Ext. 108
NRCS Phone: 503-623-5534 Fax: 855-651-8930 580 Main St. Suite A, Dallas, OR 97338 Tom Finegan — District Conservationist tom.finegan@or.usda.gov Ext. 109 Sue Reams — Soil Conservationist sue.reams@or.usda.gov Ext. 114 Billy Burr — Accounting Specialist billy.burr@wa.usda.gov Ext. 112
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Marion-Polk County FSA Office Scott Nieman — Farm Loan Manager
Scott.nieman@or.usda.gov Ext. 113 Phone: 503-399-5741 Fax: 503-399-5794 650 Hawthorne Ave. SE, St 130, Stuart Butsch — Farm Loan Officer Salem, OR, 97301 Stuart.butsch@or.usda.gov Ext. 115 Janelle Huserik— County Executive Director janelle.huserik@or.usda.gov Ext. 114
Lora Surmeyer — Farm Loan Program Tech. Lora.surmeyer@or.usda.gov Ext. 116
Debbie Pothetes — Program Technician debbie.pothetes@or.usda.gov Ext. 111 Beverly Schmidt — Program Technician beverly.schmidt@or.usda.gov Ext. 100
Polk SWCD Newsletter
Board of Director Elections - Sign up now Polk SWCD’s Board of Directors will have 4 positions up for election in the November General Election. Open positions include: Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 5, and At-Large 2. Please refer to the map on Page 2 of this newsletter for the zone map. To be eligible to apply as per ORS 568.560(3) “Zone directors must own or manage 10 or more acres of land in the district, in one of two ways, and be registered voters. Zone directors may either reside within the zone that is represented, or own or manage 10 or more acres within the zone that is
represented and be involved in the active management of the property. An individual may also serve as a zone director when the individual, in lieu of the other requirements specified in this subsection, resides within the zone that is represented and indicates an interest in natural resource conservation as demonstrated by serving at least one year as a director or associate director of a district and having a conservation plan that is approved by the district. Candidates nominated for director from a specific zone shall be voted on by all electors within the district.”
If you are interested in applying or have any questions please contact Debbie Miller at 503-623-9680 x 101 or debbie.miller@polkswcd.com.
Budget Committee Position Open - Apply now Polk SWCD’s Budget Committee is looking for a new public member. There is one spot now open. If you are interested in applying for this position please contact Debbie Miller at 503623-9680 x 101 or email her at debbie.miller@polkswcd.com to get the proper paperwork to fill out. What is a Budget Committee? The budget committee is an advisory group established by statute. The committee is made up of the Polk
SWCD board members, and an equal number of local citizens. The appointed citizen members must be electors of Polk County. This means they must be qualified voters of Polk County who have the right to vote on the adoption of any measure. They cannot be employees, officers, or agents of Polk SWCD. They are appointed for a staggered three year term. No member of the budget committee can receive compensation for serving on the committee. They can receive reimbursement for expenses incurred while serving.
What is required of Committee Member?
a
Budget
Members must be able to make it to a minimum of two evening meetings to plan the budget of Polk SWCD in the spring of each year to work on the budget, along with other tasks as assigned by the budget committee.
Become an Associate Director Polk SWCD is always looking for Associate Directors. Now is a great time to apply. We are hoping to get a few new Associate Directors who can provide insight into areas of expertise, such as business accounting, best land management practices, forestry, or specialty crops, and who have different backgrounds. You can be a student, rural landowner, urban homeowner, business owner, or even just have a interest in the local environment.
What is an Associate Director? “Every two years conservation district boards select individuals they wish to appoint or reappoint to associate director positions. An associate director Page 3
serves until January 1 in odd numbered years. Appointed associate directors provide insight and assistance to the board of directors through their own personal experience, they have a outside view that differs from what the board of directors has and as such can offer better insight into specific topics. Although an associate director does not vote when the board makes an official decision, they may be appointed to a vacant position or elected to a position. To be appointed, the associate director must meet the statutory requirements for director eligibility as outlined earlier on this page. Documentation of the associate director appointment is required if an associate director wishes to qualify as a zone director.” Taken from the 2013 SWCD Guidebook
How do I Apply? If you would like to apply to become an Associate Director please contact Debbie Miller at 503-623-9680 x 101 or debbie.miller@polkswcd.com, for the required paperwork. People of voting age are encouraged to apply.
Polk SWCD Newsletter
Saturday May 3rd is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day By Lucas Hunt, PSWCD Source: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/outdoors/wildland-fires/national-wildfire-communitypreparedness-day/wildfire-preparedness-day-neighborhood-project-contest Do you live in a wildfire prone area? Do you have trees all around your house? Do you live outside a city fire department normal response area? Do you have a long, single lane driveway? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you probably live in what is called the wildland urban interface. This zone surrounds suburban communities and occurs when rural areas become populated. Areas such as Reuben Boise Road, Pioneer Road, James Howe Road, Oakdale Road, Falls City, and Pedee are all communities of this type in Polk County. People who live in these areas are encouraged to take part in this community preparedness day and improve the safety of their neighborhoods. State Farm Insurance is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association to provide $500 awards to 20 individual projects that will take place on May 3rd. The Polk Soil and Water Conservation District would like to encourage you to enter the contest through the NFPA website (link above). Or, if you have a community you need help motivating, call us at 503-623-9680 ext. 104, and we can help spread the word and develop your project for entry! We can also help connect you with other programs that will improve your forest health and home safety. Organize friends, an entire neighborhood, a faith-based or youth group and participate in a project that reduces your community’s wildfire risk. Commit a couple of hours or the entire day and join others throughout the nation making their communities a safer place. The list of activities below is just a place to start! For more information and project ideas search for “wildfire community preparedness day,” “fire adapted communities,” or “keep Oregon green” in your web browser.
Rake and remove pine needles and dry leaves within a minimum of 5 feet of a home’s foundation. As time permits – continue up to a 30 foot distance around the home. Dispose of collected debris in appropriate trash receptacles.
Get out your measuring tape and see how close wood piles are located to the home. If closer than 30 feet, they need to be relocated and moved at least 30’ away from structures.
Sweep porches and decks clearing them of leaves and pine needles. Rake under decks, porches, sheds and play structures and dispose of debris.
Mow grasses to a height of four inches or less.
On mature trees, use hand pruners and loppers to remove low-hanging tree branches up to a height of 4 feet from the ground (specific height depends on the type and size of tree).
Collect downed tree limbs and broken branches and take them to a disposal site.
Remove items stored under decks and porches and relocate it to a storage shed, garage, or basement.
Join forces with neighbors and pool your resources to pay for a chipper service to remove slash.
Develop and practice a home evacuation plan - ready.gov.
Can you see your home’s address number from the street? If not, trim overgrown vegetation covering or blocking the numbers.
Work with neighbors to develop a phone/text tree that can be used to alert everyone about a fire or evacuation.
Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire screening no larger than 1/8” mesh to help keep embers out during a fire.
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Polk SWCD Newsletter
Upcoming Events March 2014
April 2014
May 2014
PSWCD Board Meeting
Mar 12th
PSWCD Board Meeting
Apr 9th
Connect Conference
April - May 2
LWC Board Meeting
Mar 13th
LWC Board Meeting
Apr 10th
PSWCD Budget Meeting May 7th
GYWC Board Meeting
Mar 13th
GGWC Board Meeting
Apr 17th
LWC Board Meeting
May 8th
GGWC Board Meeting
Mar 20th
GGWC Planting Day
Apr 22nd
GGWC Board Meeting
May 8th
RWC Board Meeting
Mar 27th
RWC Board Meeting
Apr 24th
PSWCD Board Meeting
May 14th
NOWC Board Meeting
Apr 24 - 25
GGWC Board Meeting
May 15th
OWEB Board Meeting
Apr 29 - 30
RWC Board Meeting
May 22nd
Connect Conference
Apr 30-May 2
Memorial Day (closed)
May 26th
For more information on these events please contact Polk SWCD or the appropriate agency/council. PSWCD — Polk Soil & Water Conservation District
GGWC — Glen-Gibson Watershed Council
LWC — Luckiamute Watershed Council
RWC — Rickreall Watershed Council
GYWC — Greater Yamhill Watershed Council
OWEB — Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board
NOWC — Network of Oregon Watershed Councils
Youth Education Update By Sawyer Finegan, PSWCD
quality effects their life.
valuable experience into the classroom!
Polk SWCD has many youth education projects in the works at the moment.
We are also still looking for teachers who want to participate in our Fish in the Classroom program. Interested teachers should contact Sawyer Finegan 503-623-9680 x 113 or sawyer.finegan@polkswcd.com, for more information. If you know a teacher whom you think would like to partake in this program, contact them or the district for help so we can get this
Also, Polk SWCD is still looking to develop or collaborate on other programs designed to replace our retired Outdoor School Program. We are looking for ones that will provide outreach education to public youth groups or audiences.
This coming March Polk SWCD will be teaching a macroinvertebrates class for the Perrydale/LVCS Outdoor School. We will be teaching these 6th grade students all about how to identify macroinvertebrates , what they do for the environment, and how water
Polk SWCD will continue to have a booth at the fair and do youth outreach at the fair, we hope to see you there.
Go Paperless To promote conservation & the wise use of natural resources in Polk County, Polk Soil and Water Conservation District will be going paperless with their newsletters, announcements, and other mailings.
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The June 2014 newsletter will be the last paper mailing we will send out to our large mailing list. If you would like us to keep mailing you our newsletters, and other announcements, please contact Tom Wilson, District Clerk, to have your information updated @ 503-623-9680 x 108, or clerk@polkswcd.com. Alternatively, you can also go to our website at polkswcd.org and fill out the Join our Mailing List form on the right Polk SWCD Newsletter
hand side of the home page.
Native Plant Sale Polk SWCD will not hold a Native Plant Sale in 2014. No need to worry though because, native plants will be available through neighboring SWCDs’ sales. Each SWCD organizes their sale differently, so make sure to ask which accept pre-orders and which limit purchases etc. Check www.polkswcd.org’s native plant sale page for updated information and links to neighboring plant sales. Neighboring SWCD Native Plant Sales: Benton SWCD Native Plant Sale Location: 3079 NE Garden Avenue, Corvallis, Oregon Pre-order by January 31st. Saturday, February 22nd: Pre-order pick up times scheduled in advance. Sunday, February 23rd: Overstock sale open to the public (first come, first served).
Marion SWCD Native Plant Sale Location: Bauman Farms (12989 Howell Prairie Rd NE, Gervais, OR 97026 Friday, March 7th, 2014 from 10am6pm Saturday, March 8th, 2014 from 9am1pm No pre-orders or mass quantity sales. Open to the public (first come, first served). Limit purchases to 5 of any one species on Friday; no limit to purchases on Saturday.
Yamhill SWCD Native Plant Sale Location: Yamhill SWCD (2200 SW 2nd Street, McMinnville, OR 97128) Thursday, February 6th, 2014 (Time TBA) Friday, February 7th, 2014 (Time TBA) Saturday, February 8th, 2014 (Time TBA) Pre-orders encouraged, first come, first served. Keep checking Polk and neighboring SWCD’s websites for more information.
Soil Health and Cover Crop Workshop By Marc Bell, PSWCD The
soil
health
and
cover
crop
workshop hosted by the Polk SWCD was heavily attended by large scale growers in late January. The workshop was
designed
to
demonstrate
the
benefits of good soil health and provide a forum for growers to share their
inputs), saving producers money over
There will be a second soil health
time. Improving soil health decreases
workshop held in the coming months as
compaction which increases moisture
the
infiltration – allowing more water to be
neighboring organizations so if you
stored in the soil, so roots grow deeper,
missed this last one, watch our website
reducing
and mailers for more information on
runoff
and
nutrients
necessary to be maintained within the
Polk
SWCD
partners
with
upcoming events!
soil.
experiences with using cover crops and no-till methods within Polk County. The workshop, made possible partially by a grant from the USDA Risk Management
Association,
also
had
presenters from the Natural Resource Conservation Service including Sue Reams, the local Soil Conservationist, and Cory Owens of the Oregon City NRCS office. The forum discussed how these practices not only benefit the ecology within the soil but reduces nutrient inputs necessary for crop growth (and the labor applying those Page 6
This workshop initiative by the district coincided with the NRCS’s “Unlock the Secrets in the Soil”, a new national initiative
promoting
Management
Soil
Systems.
The
Health Dallas
NRCS office is interested in receiving feedback
on
possible
funding
opportunities for agriculture practices promoting improved soil health and cover cropping. If you have an interest; please contact Tom Finegan or Sue Reams in the Dallas office. Polk SWCD Newsletter
Reports From Our Partners Rickreall Roots and Shoots, A new activity group for youth of all ages By Vicki Fields, Roots & Shoots The possibilities to make a positive difference in our natural and human environment are limitless. Rickreall Creek Roots & Shoots, a chapter of Jane Goodall’s international organization, has come to Dallas, Oregon. Started by local citizens in January 2014, we hope to produce a number of community projects addressing issues of the environment,
care for animals, and human wellbeing. Our first project is the adoption of the downtown section of the Rickreall Creek Trail from Leven Street to Main. The name of our chapter comes from a deep concern for our community’s water source, the beautiful stream that literally runs through us. Thank you to Polk Water & Soil Conservation District and Rickreall Watershed Council in becoming the first community partners
for our organization. We will rely on your expertise to guide us with future projects. Membership in Rickreall Roots & Shoots is free and open to everyone. Is there a project that you want to develop for our community? Roots & Shoots can help you plan and make it come alive. Contact us at rickreallroots@gmail.com or visit our website at rickreallroots.wordpress.com.
Volunteers Needed for Steelhead Spawning Surveys By Luke Westphal, GYWC Last fall, the Greater Yamhill Watershed Council partnered with local landowners and volunteers from the Newberg Chapter of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders (ANWS) to survey for spawning Coho salmon in the North Yamhill River Watershed. Everyone had a great time in the creeks and were amazed to see the size and number of Coho salmon coming up the small tributaries and along the main stem. The fall Coho surveys will happen again this year, but the GYWC is currently looking to expand the program to include winter steelhead
Ag First By Sawyer Finegan, PSWCD If you attended the Polk County Fair last year, you may have run into the Ag First tent with many displays from various agriculture groups around the county. What is Ag First? Ag First is a project and a group started by a group of individuals with one objective; to make sure the value of Polk County Agriculture is passed on to current and future generations. They are working to accomplish this though various missions and goals. Their mission is to educate youth and adults in understanding the cultural and economic impacts of agriculture, Page 7
spawning surveys from April through May this year. Volunteers generally work in pairs, walking up to 1 mile of stream at a time to document spawning redds and adult fish, as well as any other neat things you may find along the way – like beaver activity or large wood habitat. These surveys will focus on steelhead-bearing streams and tributaries in the Mill Creek, Willamina Creek, and North Yamhill River watersheds where private/public landowners have partnered with the GYWC to provide access for volunteer spawning surveys. A training session will be held in March (date/location TBD) led by the charismatic Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife district fish biologist,
Tom Murtagh, who will share the history of local winter steelhead and the techniques needed for steelhead spawning surveys. Please contact Luke Westphal at the Greater Yamhill Watershed Council to learn more information, to be added to our spawning survey volunteer email group, to suggest some places you’d like to survey, or if you are a landowner interested in participating in this voluntary program. 503-474-1047 director@yamhillwatershedcouncil.org
to promote an understanding of the key roles that agriculture plays in our community, and to continue the strong partnerships between the agriculture community and agricultural organizations. Their goals are to showcase applied research and practices utilized in agriculture, to illustrate the interconnectedness of agriculture and the environment, and to engage people in learning about their connection to agriculture. They would also like to strengthen the relationship between the fairground as an event center and as a resource to the agricultural community, by
engaging the full spectrum of the agricultural community, from educators, marketers, and suppliers, to producers, processors, and consumers. 2014 Goals: Develop an interactive display about Polk County agriculture to travel around the county, make presentations at area chambers, businesses and organization meetings to promote agriculture and its economic impact, and to organize a speakers and writers bureau to promote ag. In the following year Ag First is looking to expand their reach and you can help them achieve this goal by donating time or funds to support this effort. Polk SWCD Newsletter