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Conservation Neighbor

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

Kids in Linn and Benton Counties are fortunate to have lifelong educator Ron Leonard to guide their outdoor education.

Conservation Neighbor Nick Cavagnaro shares some tips for what to grow in Benton County. He doesn’t have use for plants that do not support the local wildlife, be it birds or insects.

Tara Davis puts her unique skill set to work for watershed health, here in Oregon and abroad.

In 1999, Cliff and Gay Hall bought a sheep farm in Kings Valley in northwestern Benton County with the hope of not only restoring the 1898 farm house, but also to manage the 80 acres with the goal of enhancing wildlife populations and diversity while preserving the pastoral beauty of the property.  With the help

This article has five authors: Donna Schmitz, Teresa Matteson, Heath Keirstead, Laura Brown, and Holly Crosson. On June 30, 2019, Dr. Clifford Hall resigned from Benton SWCD’s Board of Directors, on which he had served since 2003. During his tenure, the District developed a high quality budgeting process and grew our staff from 2 to

Bob Morris, previously an associate director, joined the Benton SWCD Board this summer as At-large Director. A retired veterinarian, educator extraordinaire, and passionate photographer, Bob can be easily spotted on BSWCD tours and during field days because he carries a camera with a gigantic telephoto lens. In his home garden, Bob captured this lovely shot

When Scott Youngblood comes into the room, he doesn’t just bring a wealth of knowledge and a Southern drawl, he brings a contagious enthusiasm for conservation and restoration and an unparalleled love for the Willamette River.

Managing a 100-acre farm is the adventure Jane and Larry Viehl chose for retirement. And while there’s been no end to the work, they are pleased they chose this retirement option instead of golfing in the desert or that beachfront condo in Florida.

Debbie Palmer shares the harvesting and cleaning stage of her mason bee adventures.

Debbie’s bees have been keeping her busy. Learn from her trials and errors in part 2 of Adventures of an Amateur Mason Bee Keeper.

For many, soil is one of the most underappreciated resources on our planet; but not so for Teresa Matteson, a passionate soil pioneer who knows we shouldn’t be treating our soil like dirt!