About Us   

What We Do

The Benton SWCD is here to serve YOU!

Our Activities

We assist local landowners by offering technical and financial assistance for the restoration and enhancement of wetlands, raparian areas and wildlife habitat.

We promote conservation practices that reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.

We provide conservation education in area schools and clubs such as: teaching the Soil Field Study Outdoor Schools, classroom presentations using the Stream Simulator, and sponsoring an annual Conservation Poster Contest

Serve as the Local Management Agency for the development of the Mid-Willamette Agricultural Water Quality Management Plan mandated by Senate Bill 1010

Providing thousands of low-cost seedlings to local residents for conservation plantings through our Annual Native Tree Sale

Compiling all available fish passage barrier and fish habitat inventory data in Benton County into one GIS database with the goal of identifying, prioritizing and planning fish passage and stream restoration projects throughout Benton County. This is known as the Benton Fish Passage Improvement Program.

Coordinating workshops on conservation practices and natural resource issues such as: soil quality, small acreages and backyard conservation, and conservation planning

Providing resources to the community for “on the ground” conservation projects and education.  Some resources include: Soil Quality Test Kit, Soil Sampling Equipment, Stream Simulator, Tree Planting Equipment, Seed Drill, and Pasture Pumps, Conservation Videos, and other educational resources

Assisting and cooperating with Benton County Public Works in developing programs for roadside vegetation management and road culvert replacement for improved fish passage

Organizing and facilitating emerging watershed councils and landowner groups

Representing soil and water conservation principles to local and state elected officials