Marion Soil & Water Conservation District

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

🌱 Already part of Marion County’s conservation community? Here’s another way to contribute.Whether you’ve worked with Ma...
09/12/2026

🌱 Already part of Marion County’s conservation community? Here’s another way to contribute.

Whether you’ve worked with Marion SWCD, participated in a program, volunteered at an event, partnered with us, managed land, or simply care about the future of our local communities and natural resources, there are many ways to be part of conservation.

One of those opportunities is serving as a volunteer Director on the Marion SWCD Board.

Directors bring their own knowledge, experience, ideas, and perspective to the District’s work and help shape the direction of local conservation.

Several positions are open to qualified write-in candidates for the November 3, 2026 election, including: Zones 1, 2, 3 & 5

Curious what serving on the Board is actually like? We’ve put together a guide covering how to determine what zone you are in, the role, time commitment, eligibility, what you can gain from serving, and how to become a write-in candidate.

The process is quite simple - Learn more about serving as a Marion SWCD Director at:
:
:
www.marionswcd.net/volunteer-to-lead-local-conservation-marion-swcd-board-write-in-opportunity/

Happy Labor Day!Today, we’re taking a moment to appreciate the people who make our communities thrive — the farmers, lan...
09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we’re taking a moment to appreciate the people who make our communities thrive — the farmers, landowners, volunteers, partners, neighbors and conservationists who put in the work to care for the places we call home.

Thank you for all that you do for our community and for the land, water, and habitats we share.

Wishing you a safe, restful, and happy Labor Day!


~🌱 Marion SWCD Team🌱 ~

📢 HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSUREA reminder that the Marion SWCD office will be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor...
09/04/2026

📢 HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURE

A reminder that the Marion SWCD office will be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.

We’ll be back in the office and ready to serve our community on Tuesday, September 8.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

🚨 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. 🌿

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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