Welcome to the BSWCD Home Page

Soil Quality Workshop - Train the Trainers

Thursday, August 19, 2010 8:30am - 4:30pm
Benton SWCD is working with farmers, consultants and researchers to create a soil quality assessment package that will encourage farmers to make informed management decisions, save resources and protect the environment.

More information

Subscribe to One of Our Mailing Lists!

We have recently converted several of our mailing lists to Google Groups!

See our Mailing Lists page for more information about each list and subscribe!

Upcoming Events

Check our Calendar Page for details

Benton SWCD is a

Blue Sky Luminary business partner

Natural Resource Scholarships

Benton SWCD is proud to offer scholarships to Benton County residents who are pursuing degrees in natural resources fields.
Click here for more information and a 2010 application.

2009 Natural Resources Scholarship Awards

To encourage citizens to pursue studies in natural resources, Benton SWCD awarded $1000 scholarships to:

Jennifer Swanson, 2009 Philomath High School graduate
Kelsey Ward, 2009 Crescent Valley High School graduate

What's All the Fuss About Invasive Species?

The Oregon Department of Agriculture Director estimates that Oregon spends $81 million annually on invasives that are harmful to agriculture, water resources, or human health.

Our new Invasive Species web page covers the basics about why it's important to be aware of them, as well as some steps you can take to help stop the invasion and to help native plants to grow instead.

Winter 2009-2010 Issue of Horizons Published!

The Winter 2009-2010 issue of Horizons, our newsletter, has been published and is available online.

"Voles are not moles but they still make holes. Meet the critters, the farmers whom they ate out of house and home and a scientist who thinks they may do some good after all," says Oregon Field Guide in promotional copy for a segment with OSU soil scientist James Cassady on voles.

New/Updated Brochures Available Online

Several of our brochures are now available online for download and viewing or printing. Take a self-guided tour of the Dixon Creek watershed, build your own worm bin, or find out more about organizations that support sustainable living in the Corvallis community!

See our Brochures section for more details!

Philomath High School Compost Project

The Environmental Protection Agency awarded the Benton County Health Department an Environmental Justice Grant in 2004. One goal of the grant was to increase high school students' awareness and knowledge of local environmental issues. Benton County Health Department recruited Philomath High School juniors for a compost research project. The students selected topics, wrote literature reviews and contacted professionals in the community to serve as their mentors. Research projects designed around the students' interests became the foundations for their senior project presentations in May 2007.

Visit the Philomath High School Compost Project page!

Other Events and Goings On

Subscribe to our mailing lists to find out about soil and water related events in the community , receive our Horizons newsletter, or receive announcements about soil and water conservatio n related jobs!
We have several upcoming events -- check our Calendar to find out more.
Check our Teachers and Educators page to read our most recent education newsletter and learn about grants available to educators.
We also have a number of resources for landowners, and community members, as well as other opportunities to get involved and volunteer.