Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District

06/11/2026

06/05/2026

Congratulations to our Board Chair, Michael Calhoun, on being featured in Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve's Pride Month environmental exhibit!

Michael was recognized for his contributions to conservation, salmon habitat restoration, urban forestry, and community stewardship.

Read the full article here: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__columbiacountyspotlight.com_2026_05_21_vernonia-2Dadvocate-2Dfeatured-2Din-2Djackson-2Dbottom-2Dpride-2Dmonth-2Denvironmental-2Dexhibit_&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=HWKKyPN_-DiQQScZYRYx0JGXri_G2Dss2NjNPwntV_3uIgUA6ymTfWpQHcmsVFYm&m=dc42G683fc1KtBnxw4Ox9X1EgmrwjqRClZltHbDL3aa15aVATaIWceKe-zt7Go3J&s=_zhGZzyeUxKIHimp_iB5vjpgs1Lo1J6ociLY2VKYy_o&e=

In honor of Hillsboro’s 150th — or sesquicentennial — birthday, Jackson Bottom Wetlands Preserve will spotlight LGBTQ+ voices in environmental work with a monthlong exhibit in June. Connecting Pride Month […]

05/28/2026

Looking for a hands-on way to support our local parks? 🌿
Join this volunteer work party and help keep these shared spaces healthy, beautiful, and thriving for everyone! Every bit of effort makes a difference.

You’re invited to attend the Friends of McCormick Park work party scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 9 a.m. to noon!

The group will be weeding, mulching, and watering new plantings and surveying the site for any missed or new Scotch broom. Depending on the volunteer group size, the work party may also tackle a patch of invasive Periwinkle and blackberry in preparation for fall planting.

No prior experience is necessary. Youth ages 15+ may participate without an adult present. Younger kids must be accompanied by an adult.

Meeting Location: Trailhead near BMX track. Follow the signs! McCormick Park, 475 S. 18th Street, St. Helens.

Accessibility: The worksite isn't far from either parking area and plenty of free parking is available. The work area ranges from flat and grassy to muddy and sloped.

Provided: Small selection of tools.

Please Bring: Your own water, sun/rain gear, gloves, empty jugs for watering plants, and tools (shovel, trowel, pruning shears) as supplies are limited.

Schedule:
9 a.m. - Check in
9:15 a.m. - Introductions & project orientation
9:30 a.m. - Work begins! Removal, weeding, mulching, and watering around new plantings
12 p.m. - End of event

Volunteers can pre-register for the work party at https://arcg.is/veOSC1

Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1572701947124119

05/28/2026

The campaign encourages people to take simple actions that help prevent invasive species from spreading between trails, parks, waterways, forests, and other natural areas.

Whether you’re hiking, biking, paddling, camping, horseback riding, climbing, fishing, or exploring your local parks, you can help protect ecosystems by cleaning your gear and being mindful of how invasive species can spread through outdoor recreation.

🌿 Join us for PlayCleanGo Awareness Week! 🌿
June 6–13, 2026

Together, we protect the places we love. Whether you hike, bike, camp, paddle, fish, or explore the outdoors, we all have a role to play in preventing the spread of invasive species.

This year’s PlayCleanGo Awareness Week includes:
🎒 A free downloadable outreach toolkit
🎤 Live webinars featuring prevention experts and partners across North America
📸 A community photo contest
🌎 Stories, events, and resources to help inspire action

Help us spread the word by sharing the PlayCleanGo message in your community and making invasive species prevention part of every outdoor adventure.

✔ Download the toolkit
✔ Register for webinars
✔ Share your story
✔ Invite others to participate

Learn more at https://playcleango.org/take-action/playcleango-awareness-week/

05/21/2026

05/21/2026

ICYMI....

⚠️ Public Alert:
Yellow-Legged Hornet Detected Near Port of Vancouver

The Oregon Department of Agriculture is asking residents in Multnomah and Columbia Counties to stay alert after a live yellow-legged hornet was detected on a ship at the Port of Vancouver.

This invasive species poses a serious threat to pollinators, including honeybees. While officials believe this was an isolated “hitchhiker” incident, monitoring efforts are underway out of caution.

What to look for:
• Smaller than the northern giant hornet
• Yellow lower legs
• Yellow-orange band on the abdomen
• Large paper nests are often found in trees or elevated areas

❗ Do NOT approach or attempt to collect the insect if spotted.

If you think you’ve seen one:
Take a clear photo and report it immediately to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline:
https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/reports/create
1-866-INVADER (1-866-468-2337)

Learn more:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant-pests-diseases/yellow-legged-hornet

05/18/2026

🌿 May 17-23 is Oregon Invasive W**d Awareness Week!

Invasive weeds threaten our local habitats, water resources, and working lands. A small number of species are already costing Oregonians millions each year, and the impact can grow quickly without ongoing prevention and control.

A few simple ways to help include:
• Learn to recognize common invasive weeds in your area
• Clean boots, gear, and equipment before moving between sites
• Take action early if you spot a new infestation

Spread the word, not the weeds 🌱

Learn more about noxious weeds in Oregon: https://www.oregon.gov/oda/weeds/oregon-noxious-weeds/pages/default.aspx

05/06/2026

Today we’re celebrating the very first National Special Districts Day!

Columbia SWCD is one of nearly 40,000 special districts across the country. These are local governments that focus on specific services our communities rely on every day, like fire protection, water services, and conservation.

Right here in Columbia County, we’re proud to be part of a group of special districts working side by side to keep our communities healthy, safe, and thriving. For us, that means helping protect soil and water resources and supporting resilient landscapes.🌱

Shoutout to our fellow local special districts and the work you do every day 👏

TODAY! May 6, 2026 Inaugural National Special Districts Day

Special Districts Across the Country celebrate the first ever National Special Districts Day today, May 6, 2026!

NSDA honors and thanks nearly 40,000 Special Districts across the United States by celebrating the first ever National Special Districts Day, on May 6th, 2026. Special Districts day coincides with the NSDA's 2026 Special Districts Days in Washington, DC where we pre-arrange congressional and Executive Branch Office visits with special district leaders from across the Country that provide essential services to their communities.

Today we hope you help spread the word with this simple step:

Social Media: Follow, like and repost NSDA's social media to promote the day on May 6th. You can use the letter from the NSDA Board chair, the graphic and content below, in your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or X (Twitter) posts or you can create your own post with the example posts.

Learn more here: https://www.nationalspecialdistricts.org/today-may-6-2026-inaugural-national-special-districts-day #/

05/05/2026

We’re hiring!

The Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District is looking for a passionate and motivated individual to join our team.

As part of our district, you will support conservation efforts across Columbia County, working with landowners, partners, and the community to protect and enhance natural resources. Our work focuses on providing technical assistance, education, and hands-on solutions for soil, water, and habitat health.

👉 View the full job description and apply here: https://www.columbiaswcd.com/employment-opportunities

If you are excited about making a difference in your community and want to work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment, we encourage you to apply.