Out of the Blues Newsletter - Spring 2026

District Activities Overview

Results of Umatilla SWCD Community Poll & Long Range Planning Summary

On February 17, the Umatilla SWCD Board met to discuss long range planning for the District. The Board reflected on the last five years and considered the goals that had been set back in 2020. The discussions also included capacity expansion, reviewing community input, and a new county contract proposal direction. 

•  Previous five-year goals: to become more recognizable, bring in more non-grant funding sources for the district, increase capacity, and create service-based business models. All of these goals were met by increased community participation in District initiatives, by securing other methods of income outside of grants, creating the drone program, and acting as a natural resource consultant to cities and non-profits, initiatives, and action groups. 
• The average yearly amount of funding the District secures has increased, and the District has increased the grant applications to ten a year, with a 60% award rate (industry standard is 40%), with roughly $5,000,000 acquired through technical assistance efforts. 
• The Board also discussed the pros and cons of hiring more staff vs. hiring contractors to increase capacity. Good points were made for each category, and the consensus was that it would be ideal to hire someone who could work with the current district manager for succession planning. However, for most tasks it would be more beneficial and cost efficient to continue hiring contractors for needs as they arise. 
• The Landowner Poll 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 representation in community and action groups
  • Key takeaways from our agency partners' opinions revealed that natural disaster assistance, landowner recruitment, outreach, and technical assistance were their priorities 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 strategic plans for responding. 
• Overall, the Board is excited for the growth that the District has made in the last five years, and is hopeful for continuing our mission to serve the landowners and residents of Umatilla County.

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

 

Small Grants Opportunity

The OWEB Small Grant Projects program is an easy-to-engage-in, competitive grant program that awards up to $20,000 for on-the-ground restoration projects principally carried out on private lands across Oregon. Example projects include spring developments, riparian fencing projects, and other projects that enhance water quality while meeting landowner needs. The Small Grant Areas accepts applications year-round until April 15, 2027. If you have any questions, please refer to either the OWEB Small Grants website: https://www.oregon.gov/oweb/grants/small-grants/Pages/small-grants.aspx or contact Kyle Waggoner at kyle.waggoner@umatillaswcd.org. 

 

Umatilla SWCD at CONNECT Conference

District Manager Kyle Waggoner will be presenting at the CONNECT conference the week of March 30 in Seaside, OR. His topic is, "Protecting Habitat and Homes: Synthesizing Flood Protection and Natural Floodplain Functions in Umatilla County." If you'd like to learn more about the District’s work and our goal to try and get solutions on the ground for landowners, take a look at the CONNECT conference website: https://www.connectoregon.net/

 

 Mill Creek Flooding

The District is actively responding to landowners who were impacted by flooding in February and March in the Mill Creek watershed. Please contact Kyle Waggoner at 541-969-0423 or kyle.waggoner@umatillaswcd.org for a site visit if you are a landowner needing help navigating the complex and confusing road to recovery. The District is able to provide information for different pathways and fill folks in on best practices. 

Upcoming Grant Applications

 Submitted Grant Applications

Current Projects (Implementing)