WSU Clark County Extension Watershed Stewards

10/05/2018

Streamside Planting with Native Plants Workshop - Saturday October 13 - La Center

As temperatures warm up in the spring, most of us think of getting out in the garden to start planting. However, west of the Cascade Mountains, most of our rainfall comes between October and May and the fall remains the best time to start planting trees and other vegetation. The fall and winter rain helps plant roots establish, making plants more resistant to our dry summer conditions.

So how does fall planting produce healthy streams? “Water bodies benefit from plants,” explains Brendan Addis, Clean Water Commissioner. “Trees shade rivers and lakes, keeping water cool which better supports aquatic life. Shrubs and grasses stabilize slopes and slow down stormwater runoff before it enters our water bodies, filtering out harmful pollutants.” Addis will teach a class on Streamside Planting October 13 to help landowners learn about the best native plants to plant along rivers, streams, lakes and ponds to improve aesthetics and health.

Participants will learn about and see riparian restoration in a combination of classroom instruction and nature walk. The walk is about one-third of a mile, but has some steep terrain. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing depending on the weather.

The Small Acreage Program, co-sponsored by Washington State University Clark County Extension and Clark County Public Works Clean Water Program, will provide information, handouts, and answer landowners’ questions at the workshop.

Streamside Planting with Native Plants Workshop
Saturday, October 13, 2018
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
La Center, WA

Pre-registration Required! To register and find more details visit https://streamsideplanting.brownpapertickets.com/

Cost = $10 per person and class size is limited. Questions? Call Doug at 360-397-6060 ext. 5742 or email [email protected]

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Persons requiring special accommodations should call WSU Clark County Extension at (360) 397-6060 ext. 0 prior to the event.

08/22/2014

August 21, 2014

Contact: Ron Wierenga, Clean Water Program Manager, Environmental Services
(360) 397-2121 ext. 4264; [email protected]

Storm drain stencils remind residents of need to safeguard waterways

Vancouver, WA – The weather is sunny and warm, a perfect time to add reminders to storm drains about the need to keep out pollutants before the rainy season begins.

Clark County Environmental Services has stencil kits available for residents to paint “Dump No Waste – Drains to Stream” on pavement in front of storm drains.

Polluted stormwater runoff is the leading cause of water pollution in urban streams. Dirt, fertilizers, oil, pet waste and other pollutants routinely wash into storm drains and make their way into streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands, where they can harm fish and other aquatic life.

County kits offer all the materials needed to label storm drains, including stencils, paints, safety vests, traffic cones and other supplies.

Volunteers must follow all safety guidelines. They can stencil drains only on residential streets, not arterials, highways or other busy roads with high traffic speeds or vehicle volumes.

“This is a great way to remind your neighbors of the important role we all can play in reducing polluted storm runoff,” said Don Benton, Environmental Services director. “Safety always is our paramount consideration, so please explicitly follow all safety protocols.”

Many areas of the county have not been stenciled or need to be re-stenciled. Volunteers can contact the Clean Water Program to identify potential drain locations in their neighborhoods.

For more information on drain stenciling or to reserve a kit, call Environmental Services at (360) 397-2121. For additional information, visit the county website at www.clark.wa.gov/environment/stormwater/stenciling.html. Kits are available in Environmental Services at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

Information on other ways residents can protect water is at www.clarkgreenneighbors.org

There are no filters in the storm drain systems to clean the water before it gets to the river.

04/15/2014

10/17/2013

Registration is open for our last Small Acreage Farm Tour of the year! Come check out Compass Rose Alpaca Farm on Saturday, November 2 from 9:30-11:30 and learn about ways to reduce mud, improve pastures, manage manure and much more. Register and find more details at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/484266

10/17/2013

From Doug Stienbarger, Director of WSU Clark County Extension. For our Watershed Stewards, I will be talking with Stewards to see where, how, and if they would like to continue any volunteer efforts with Extension. So stay tuned. Questions? email me at stiendm(at)wsu.edu

10/17/2013

Nov 2 voluntter opportunity. Vicki Fitzsimmons, board member of the Dell Salmon Creek Business Association (HDSCBA) and the NE Hazel Dell Neighborhood Association (NEHDNA), is working with the Washington Department of Transportation, and Clark County Public Worksto plant trees and daffodils on the I-5 on and off ramps at the 78th Street exit.

Questions? email Vicki at [email protected]

register at http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/n59dmkd8aFf0AZ03

Interested in volunteering? register at http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/n59dmkd8aFf0AZ03

10/01/2013

I am sorry to report that the Watershed Stewards program has lost funding. I will be helping to transition the program through October. Thank you to all those who have helped make this program great - and I hope all the volunteers out there will find a new "home" to continue to do great work for our watersheds. Please email me with any questions or concerns: jenifer.naas(at)Clark.wa.gov

09/18/2013

Do your pastures need a little help? Check out the WSU Extension Small Acreage Program next workshop on Pasture Establishment & Renovation on September 24 and learn how to maximize your pastures. Register and find more details here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/450628

Do your pastures need a little help? Check out our next workshop on Pasture Establishment & Renovation on September 24 and learn how to maximize your pastures. Register and find more details here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/450628

09/18/2013

Check out this great write up about the Harvest Celebration by Jessica Swanson at North Bank Magazine! They also have a couple of nice write ups on Botany Bay Farm, Conway Family Farms, LLC and Half Moon Farm. What farms are you looking forward to visiting this Saturday?

This year’s tour offers an inside look at a variety of farms, from stalwarts such as Kunze Farm and Bizi Farms to brand new family operations such as Botany Bay Farm and Five Spouts Farm. (For more on Botany Bay Farm, see the Green Life section on page 8.) Doug Stienbarger, WSU Clark County Extensio...

09/09/2013

The 15th Annual Harvest Celebration needs some volunteer help on September 21! Our fellow Watershed Steward's farm, Compass Rose Alpacas is one of the farms that still have volunteer needs. First, check out the farms here: http://goo.gl/maps/3cTEq Then, sign up to volunteer on this spread sheet: http://tinyurl.com/ny4g84x Contact Eric Lambert [email protected] with questions. Thanks!!!

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps

08/20/2013

A great class series this fall - if you've got acreage or are thinking about buying some property - take this FREE class series and learn how to manage your land.

Don't miss this year's Living On the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages! This 12-week course is a great place to learn more about soils, pastures, reducing mud, well & septic systems, animal health, and so much more!! Registration ends on August 27 and a few spot are still open. Contact [email protected] if you're interested. Please share :)

08/16/2013

This is a fantastic event that connects community to local farmers! Support C.C. agriculture bring your friends and families for a really fun day. Please share on Facebook! They're also looking for volunteers, which is a great way to really connect with a local farmer and help make this event possible. Contact [email protected] if interested in volunteering.

Celebrate the bounty of Clark County agriculture at the the 15th Annual Harvest Celebration Day on September 21. Connect with your local farmer, support local agriculture, and have fun with family & friends at 14 farms across the county!
Use this map to plan the farms you want to visit. A description and schedule of events will be be included for each farm. Have fun!!!