Out of the Blues Newsletter - Winter 2026

District Activities Overview

 

Results of Umatilla SWCD Community Poll & Long Range Planning Summary

On February 17, the Umatilla SWCD Board met to discuss the long range planning summary. The Board reflected on the last five years and considered the goals that had been set. The discussions also included capacity expansion, reviewing community input, and new county contract proposal. 

•  Previous five-year goals: To become more recognizable, to bring in more non-grant funding sources for the district, increase capacity expansion process, and create service-based business models. All of these goals were met by increased community participation and engagement, by securing other methods of income outside of grants, ______________ (confirm what the slide says here), creating the drone resource program and acting as a natural resource consultant to cities and non-profits, initiatives, and action groups. 
• The average yearly budget has increased, and the District has increased the grant applications to ten a year, with a 60% award rate, with $5,000,000 acquired through technical assistance efforts. 
• The Board also discussed the pros and cons of hiring more staff vs. hiring contractors per project. Good points were made for each category, and the consesus was that in the future it would be ideal to hire someone who could work with the current district manager for succession planning. However, for many other tasks it would be more beneficial and cost efficient to continue hiring contractors for needs as they arise. 
• The Landowner Poll that was sent out to community members and partners was reviewed: 
  • The key preferences from landowners indicate a strong inclination towards small targeted projects, boots-on-the-ground technical assistance, and represenation. 
  • Key takeaways from our agency partners revealed that natural disaster assistance, landowner recruitment, outreach, and technical assistance for the district's focus in the coming years. 
• Natural resource disasters remain the primary concern facing landowners and agencies in the coming decade. Many agency partners highlighted the urgency to build proactive measures and and strategic planning for responding. 
• Overall, the Board is excited for the growth that the District has made in the last five years, and is hopeful for the continuing representation 

If you would like to view the Long Range planning presentation, click here: https://prezi.com/view/fg4KSh6dpqrPxf0WtFlL/?referral_token=y4Jz4BlnB3FN

 

Small Grants Opportunity Advertisement

 

 

Umatilla SWCD at CONNECT Conference

District Manager Kyle Waggoner was invited to present at the CONNECT conference on April ___ in Seaside, OR. The conference is an opportunity for Special Districts to learn more about leadership and  ________. 

 

Hoeft Project Completion

 

Upcoming Grant Applications

 Submitted Grant Applications

Current Projects (Implementing)