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What
is the Hood River Soil & Water Conservation District?
The Hood River Soil & Water Conservation District (HRSWCD) is one of 45 conservation districts in Oregon established to promote and enhance our natural resources on private and tribal lands. SWCDs were started in the 1930s in response to the massive soil erosion crisis of the Dust Bowl. Congress realized that only active, voluntary support from landowners would guarantee the success of conservation work on private lands, and recommended states adopt legislation to form soil and water conservation districts.
The District helps landowners, managers, and residents use conservation measures and management practices to protect near-stream areas and reduce the transport of chemicals and nutrients to streams in sedimentation or runoff. These conservation efforts cool water temperatures, stabilize stream banks, and protect water bodies from impacts by farm and ranch animals.
How is the SWCD organized?
The Hood River SWCD is governed by a locally elected, volunteer Board of Directors. It is a legal subdivision of state government and receives funds to administer its programs from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and others.
Hood River SWCD has three full time staff members, an AmeriCorps intern and five active board members. The Board of Directors meets monthly on the first Thursday in the meeting room at the OSU Extension building.
What does the HR SWCD do?
The District helps landowners, managers, and residents use conservation measures and management practices to protect near-stream areas and reduce the transport of chemicals and nutrients to streams in sedimentation or runoff. These conservation efforts cool water temperatures, stabilize stream banks, and protect water bodies from impacts by farm and ranch animals. The HRSWCD has helped landowners find funding and implement projects such as fencing livestock, planting native trees along streams, screening and piping irrigation canals, installing efficient irrigation systems and removing invasive weeds.