Check out the new publication from the Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers on “Living Among Orchards.” Learn all about the seasonal operations of the local pear and cherry growers as well as how to be a good neighbor to our local farmers!
News
Mobile Chipping Service
Mobile wood chipping is back in 2024!
We are excited to announce that local landowners in Hood River County will have access to free mobile wood chipping for debris generated through defensible space work. Chipping will be available this spring and fall, compliments of the Oregon Department of Forestry Small Forestland Grant that funds projects to protect communities from the risk of wildfire.
The purpose of this grant is to help landowners dispose of woody debris from performing defensible space on their properties.
The SWCD will work with a local contractor and will have their crew available to chip branches, small trees, and other woody debris for private landowners this spring:
Tuesday, May 7th
Tuesday, May 14th
Tuesday, May 28th
Thursday, May 30th
Additional dates will be scheduled during the summer and fall depending on interest.
Sign up Here!
Important things to note before signing up for this free service:
- Woody debris and material should be piled in a flat location with vehicle access and a turn-around for a truck and trailer.
- Piles should be limited to 4 feet tall.
- The butt ends of branches and small trees should be facing the same way and on the accessible side of the pile.
- Please do not put leaves, grass clippings, gravel, or dirt in the piled material.
- Avoid putting vines, rotten wood, or lumber into the piles. This includes blackberry vines and poison oak.
- Material greater than 8″ in diameter, or over-wintered material will not be able to be chipped.
- Make a plan for how to use your wood chips, as they will not be removed.
Join Us for our Annual Native Plant Sale April 5th and 6th!
Join us for our annual native plant sale on Friday April 5th 12pm-5pm and Saturday April 6th 9am-12pm at the OSU Experiment Station at 3007 Experiment Station Dr in Hood River. We will have all of the species listed on our plant sale page available for purchase including over 10 species of potted wildflowers! This is also the time to pick up your pre-ordered plants. If you plan on making a new plant purchase this year we will be accepting most forms of payment; cash, check, or card. We look forward to seeing you!
April 2nd Spanish WPS/ Pesticide Handler Training
Join us Tuesday April 2 at the Pine Grove Grange for a Worker Protection Standards and Pesticide Handler Class in Spanish $65
Registration
The WPS Interactive Pesticide Handler Training has been specially designed for employees who mix, load, and assist in the application of pesticides. It is also for employees who are performing other pesticide related activities such as repairing pesticide application equipment on agricultural establishments, and who do not hold a pesticide applicator license.
*On completion of the course, attendees will receive a card that verifies that they have received annual WPS pesticide safety training as pesticide handlers.
Click here for an Agenda
Coffee, pastries, lunch, snacks and beverages will be provided.
Please bring:
First and Last name, Employer or Company name, and Pesticide Applicators License number (*if applicable)
6 Oregon or Washington Pesticide Credits are available
This opportunity is co-sponsored by Hood River SWCD, OSU Extension, and Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers
Hood River Agricultural Waste and Pesticide Collection Event
Click here for more information on local pesticide collection events
Gorge Latino Conservation Week
Join Comunidades and other local partners for three events!
Thursday July 20th 5:30pm at White Salmon Library Join Guatemalan Poet Jacobo Payes
Friday July 21st 5:00pm at Riverside Church Join local environmentalist for a panel discussion of environmental and social justice issues
Saturday July 22nd at9:00am Join Friends of the Gorge and the US Forest Service for a hike at Catherine Creek
for more information click here
Wildfire Preparedness Night
Wildfire season is here! Join your neighbors & local experts for an evening of learning about what to expect this wildfire season & how to increase your preparedness in the Upper Hood River Valley.
Tuesday July 25th from 5:30-7:30PM
Solera Brewery in Parkdale
Free registration here: https://beav.es/TUE
Throughout the evening, you will have opportunities to:
- Hear about grants, cost-share programs, and other resources to help you prepare your home and property for wildfire season.
- Learn how to do an assessment of your own house and yard to improve your home protection against wildfire.
- Sign up for the emergency alert system for Hood River County
- Chat with Mount Hood National Forest representatives about future fuels management projects on nearby public lands.
- Discover ways to protect yourself and your family during wildfire smoke events.
- Have a cold beverage with your neighbors!
Hosted by the Hood River Forest Collaborative, OSU Extension, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Oregon Department of Forestry, Hood River County Soil and Water Conservation District, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Hood River County Emergency Management, Parkdale Fire & Rescue, and the Mount Hood National Forest.
Hope to see you there!
Wildfire Preparedness at “Pint of Science”
Join Dan Richardson from neighboring Underwood Conservation District and the HRSWCD at 6:30 at Working Hands Brewing to learn about why wildfire preparedness works and programs available to Hood River County residents.
Puncturevine Pull – Volunteer Event
HRSWCD is partnered with The City of Hood River and planned 4 puncturevine pulling events along the Hood River waterfront in July.
The first event, on July 13th, a fantastic group of volunteers came out, and amazingly, were able to cover the entire waterfront! Thank you to everyone who came out!
After scouting for more puncturevine, we do not feel that we need to hold the remaining pulling events. We are simply not seeing as much this year, therefore, the puncturevine pulls on July 15th, 20th and 22nd are all cancelled.
While we are glad the first day was a great success, we are sorry to have to cancel the remaining events, so keep an eye out for another opportunity next summer!