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Conservation Neighbor

Diverse natural landscapes managed by landowners who understand and appreciate the importance of ecosystem services are fundamental to what makes Benton County a mighty fine place to live and work. One such landowner is George Ice, past BSWCD Chair. For 35 years, George worked as a research forest hydrologist with the National Council for Air

In her current job at NRCS and in her volunteer work Heather Medina Sauceda continues her passion for outreach to underserved communities, tribes, and youth. She feels a responsibility to help others, just as people encouraged her to reach her goals. Heather says she “always has one hand reaching up with the other extended below to help others rise to their next level. If a door gets closed, jump through the window! Don’t give up.”

As a youngster exploring the wild forests and streams of his home, Alan Ayres developed an appreciation for the abundant waters and lush vegetation that gave him comfort. Now he is working with The Confluence to create a sustainable office building in downtown Corvallis.

When asked what conservation challenges she faces, Jenny says the biggest one is when she feels that what she does doesn’t do enough. “Then I remember the butterfly effect. Success is seeing the work that BSWCD does.”

“Conservation gives production a richer purpose,” Ed Easterling says. In 2012, Ed founded Crestmont Land Trust (CLT), a non-profit land trust with a mission to own and manage self-sustaining habitat with a charitable, recreational, educational, and research focus.

Native plants brought the Pauls to Benton SWCD after they moved to Corvallis in 2006. By 2012, Jerry had revolutionized the order fulfillment process at the Native Plant Sale.

As a Garfield Elementary School teacher, Karrie Woodruff became part of the BSWCD community through Salmon Watch in the fall of 2017. Since fewer Spanish-language resources exist, she creates engaging, hands-on lessons that build from what students know from their surroundings and integrate multicultural perspectives.

Andy Gallagher first came to Benton SWCD looking for conservation-minded people in the Willamette Valley.

Matt and Serene Mellenthin know how lucky they are. Their spot on the Willamette River is their paradise.

Molly Monroe, with her personal and professional dedication to conserving the natural world and its inhabitants, is a role model for all budding and even long-standing conservation practitioners. Read more about this inspiring conservation neighbor!

November 18, 2020 was a mixed-up weather day. You know the kind, where cold rain chills you to the bone while soaking jean legs below raincoat. Then, suddenly the clouds drift with the wind and sunlight brightens the day. In spite of the threat of weather, we agreed to hike around the 140 acres, a

Jenny Meisel, like so many of us, has been at home a lot recently. Like, a lot a lot. As in, the most consecutive time at home ever. While working a full-time job as Marion SWCD’s Native and Invasive Species Plant Specialist and simultaneously wrangling her extremely active three-year-old daughter, Jenny has still somehow managed