Marion Soil & Water Conservation District

Marion Soil & Water Conservation District The Marion Soil & Water Conservation District is a government entity that provides technical assista

🚨 FIRST FRIDAY: Disaster Ready – Preparing People & Livestock 🐴🐄When disaster strikes, preparation can make all the diff...
08/24/2026

🚨 FIRST FRIDAY: Disaster Ready – Preparing People & Livestock 🐴🐄

When disaster strikes, preparation can make all the difference—for both people and animals.

Join us September 4 from 12–1 p.m. for a free virtual presentation with Karla Hoggan, President and Co-Founder of the Oregon Livestock Council, on livestock disaster preparedness and emergency planning.

This presentation is especially valuable for farmers, ranchers, livestock and horse owners, but the information is useful for anyone who keeps animals, lives in a rural community, or wants to be better prepared for an emergency.

Karla will cover practical steps you can take before disaster strikes, including:
🌱 Developing evacuation plans
🎒 Preparing emergency supply kits
🏷️ Animal identification and ownership records
🔥 Reducing barn fire risks
🐎 Planning for animals when transportation or other resources may be limited

She'll also introduce Oregon's first Equine & Livestock Pre-Registration program, designed to connect animal owners with assistance during disasters and help emergency responders better understand community needs.

📅 September 4
🕛 12:00–1:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual | Free

Whether you own one horse, manage a farm or ranch, or simply want to be better prepared, you'll leave with practical information to help protect people and animals when every minute counts.

👉 Learn more & register: www.MarionSWCD.net/Event/First-Friday-Disaster-Ready-Preparing-People-Livestock/

Only 9 Little Habitat Project Community Kits remain!Each FREE kit includes 30 native plants representing 10 species comm...
08/17/2026

Only 9 Little Habitat Project Community Kits remain!

Each FREE kit includes 30 native plants representing 10 species commonly found across the Willamette Valley!

We're looking for shared community spaces across Marion County that want to create habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife while helping us support healthy habitats throughout our community.

Do you know of a library, neighborhood common area, park, community garden, senior center, nonprofit, school, church or other shared space that could benefit from native plants?

These kits are available throughout Marion County—whether you're in St. Paul, Aurora, Hubbard, Jefferson, Detroit, Salem, Silverton, Stayton, Turner, Aumsville, Sublimity, or anywhere in between, we'd love to help you create a community Little Habitat.

Please tag an organization, share this post & help us spread the word within your community!

⏰ Applications close at midnight on Sunday, August 23.

Learn more and apply here: www.MarionSWCD.net/Little-Habitat-Kit-Request/

🌿 Curious what a community Little Habitat can look like? Read one community member's story here: www.MarionSWCD.net/Creating-A-Community-Little-Habitat/

🌳 This Friday: First Friday with Marion SWCD!Join us (virtually) this Friday from 12:00–1:00PM to learn how to prepare y...
08/05/2026

🌳 This Friday: First Friday with Marion SWCD!

Join us (virtually) this Friday from 12:00–1:00PM to learn how to prepare your property and local landscapes for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) impacts.

Marion SWCD staff members Sarah Hamilton and Chelsea Blank will share practical strategies for managing landscapes affected by ash tree loss, including site preparation, w**d management, and steps landowners can take to support long-term habitat resilience.

💻 The webinar link is available through our events page:
www.MarionSWCD.net/Event/First-Friday-Preparing-Your-Property-For-Emerald-Ash-Borer-EAB/

We hope to see you Friday!

Help Package Native Wildflower Seeds for Your Community! 🌼Join Marion Soil and Water Conservation District for a hands-o...
08/05/2026

Help Package Native Wildflower Seeds for Your Community! 🌼

Join Marion Soil and Water Conservation District for a hands-on volunteer event helping prepare native wildflower seed packets that will be shared with community members throughout Marion County.

Volunteers will help package Willamette Valley native annual wildflower seeds produced by Heritage Seedlings—supporting pollinators, birds, and healthy habitats one packet at a time. 🌱🐝

No experience is needed! Come learn about the importance of native plants, meet other conservation-minded community members, and help spread the seeds of habitat restoration across our region.

🌻 Native Wildflower Seed Packaging Volunteer Event
📅 Friday, August 21
🕐 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 Marion SWCD Office

Each volunteer will help prepare seed packets featuring native species that provide nectar and pollen for native bees, butterflies, beetles, flies, and other beneficial insects.

Interested in joining us? Visit our events page to RSVP at:
www.marionswcd.net/event/native-wildflower-seed-packaging-volunteer-event/

🌳 Join Marion SWCD this coming Saturday at the Englewood Forest Festival!Stop by our booth to discover the incredible po...
08/05/2026

🌳 Join Marion SWCD this coming Saturday at the Englewood Forest Festival!

Stop by our booth to discover the incredible pollinators and native habitats that make Marion County special. We'll be sharing conservation resources, answering your questions, and offering simple tips to help you support healthy habitats at home.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a gardener, or simply curious about local wildlife, we'd love to meet you!

📍 Saturday, August 8th
🕘 10AM - 4 PM
📍 Englewood Park | Salem, OR

Be sure to stop by and say hello—we look forward to seeing you there! 🌿🦋

🚨 Join Marion SWCD at National Night Out! 🌿We’re excited to connect with our community at National Night Out and share r...
07/31/2026

🚨 Join Marion SWCD at National Night Out! 🌿

We’re excited to connect with our community at National Night Out and share resources that help build a more prepared and resilient Marion County.

Stop by our booth to learn more about protecting the places we call home—from understanding local challenges and preparing for emergencies to supporting healthy, resilient landscapes.

Whether you have questions about conservation, community resources, or ways to better prepare for the future, our team would love to connect with you!

📍 Keizer Elks Lodge | Keizer
🗓️ Tuesday, August 4th
⏰ 5PM - 8PM

Come say hello and connect with Marion SWCD! 👋

🌿 Know Before You Grow: Four Invasive Weeds Found Across Marion CountyHave you noticed a tall flowering plant along a ro...
07/26/2026

🌿 Know Before You Grow: Four Invasive Weeds Found Across Marion County

Have you noticed a tall flowering plant along a roadside, field edge, or your own property and wondered what it is?

Some plants are easy to recognize—but not all plants that catch our attention belong in our local landscapes. Invasive w**ds can spread quickly, outcompete native plants, and disrupt the healthy ecosystems that support wildlife, pollinators, agriculture, and our communities.

A few high-priority invasive w**ds found across Marion County include:

🌱 Spurge laurel — A shade-tolerant shrub that can spread into natural areas and form dense patches that limit native plant growth.

🌱 Tansy — A widespread w**d found along roadsides and pastures that can reduce plant diversity and may pose concerns for livestock when consumed.

🌱 Scotch broom — A fast-spreading shrub that crowds out native vegetation and creates long-term challenges for land management and restoration.

🌱Teasel — A prolific seed producer that can quickly spread and displace native plants in open areas.

Learning to identify invasive w**ds is one of the first steps in protecting Marion County’s natural areas. Consider removing invasive plants on your property and replacing them with native species that better support local wildlife and pollinators.

🌱 Want to learn more? Visit our Plant Database for identification tips, management information, and more at:
www.Marionswcd.net/Plant-Database/

Need help managing invasive plants on your property?
Marion SWCD provides free technical assistance to landowners across Marion County. Our staff is happy to help with identification, planning, and next steps.

Together, we can support healthier lands, clean water, and thriving habitats. 🌿

🌳 Join us for August First Friday: Preparing Landscapes for Emerald Ash Borer ImpactsAs Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) continue...
07/22/2026

🌳 Join us for August First Friday: Preparing Landscapes for Emerald Ash Borer Impacts

As Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) continues to threaten Oregon’s native ash trees, proactive planning can help landowners prepare for ash tree loss and create healthier, more resilient landscapes.

Join Marion SWCD staff members Sarah Hamilton, Native & Invasive Plant Specialist, and Chelsea Blank, Natural Areas Conservation Planner, for a virtual presentation focused on w**d management and site preparation strategies for areas impacted by EAB.

During this webinar, participants will learn practical steps for:
🌱 Preparing sites for replacement trees
🌿 Managing w**ds and invasive plants
🌳 Supporting healthier habitats after ash tree loss

Friday, August 7th
🕛 12:00–1:00 PM
💻 Virtual (Zoom)

Visit our events page to register today to receive the webinar link:
www.MarionSWCD.net/Event/First-Friday-Preparing-Your-Property-For-Emerald-Ash-Borer-EAB/

This presentation is part of Marion SWCD’s Emerald Ash Borer education series designed to help landowners prepare for the anticipated impacts of this invasive beetle.

We hope you’ll join us

See you this Saturday at Santiam Summerfest! 🌼🐝Marion SWCD is excited to be part of the 30th Anniversary of Santiam Summ...
07/21/2026

See you this Saturday at Santiam Summerfest! 🌼🐝

Marion SWCD is excited to be part of the 30th Anniversary of Santiam Summerfest in Stayton, and we'd love for you to stop by our booth!

Come learn about the amazing pollinators that call the Willamette Valley home, discover how native habitats support healthy ecosystems, and explore simple ways you can support wildlife and conservation in your own yard or community. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, there's something for everyone!

Stop by and visit us this Saturday. We look forward to sharing conservation resources, answering your questions, and celebrating 30 years of Santiam Summerfest with the community.🌿🦋

Learn to Paddle is Full — Join the Waitlist!Our free Learn to Paddle workshop on Thursday, July 23 at Keizer Rapids Park...
07/20/2026

Learn to Paddle is Full — Join the Waitlist!

Our free Learn to Paddle workshop on Thursday, July 23 at Keizer Rapids Park has reached capacity! Thank you to our community for the incredible interest.

If you are interested in participating, we encourage you to join the waitlist. Cancellations do happen, and we'll contact you if a spot becomes available!

📧 Email [email protected] to be added to the waitlist.

Learn to Paddle is a beginner-friendly workshop for adults (18+) designed to build confidence on the water while learning the fundamentals of kayaking and paddleboarding with a professional instructor. All boats, paddles, and life jackets are provided at no cost.

Even if this year's workshop is full, we'd love to have you join the waitlist. If space isn't available this time, we hope you'll join us for next year's Learn to Paddle event.

For more information about this year's workshop—or to plan ahead for next year's event—visit: www.MarionSWCD.net/Event/Learn-to-Paddle-2026/

Address

408 North Third Street
Stayton, OR
97383

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+15033919927

Website

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