Office Location: 650 Hawthorne Ave SE, Ste # 130 Salem, OR 97301-5894 Phone: 503-391-9927

The Marion Soil and Water Conservation District has formed many strong partnerships with organizations and agencies in the area of natural resources. The following are just a few of the more prominent of these valuable relationships.  See Resources & Links for web links to additional Marion SWCD partners.  One of our main partners, local watershed councils, can be reached at this link.

Soil and Water Conservation Districts have formed a close working bond with the NRCS. The staff of the NRCS provide technical assistance to local land managers, SWCDs, and many other entities. The NRCS has a staff of technical specialists in many different fields to aid in solving a wide range of natural resouce problems.  In Marion County the NRCS staff share office space with the Marion SWCD and coordinate management of programs and technical assistance. 

Though we are not a Marion county agency, we do work closely with staff from various departments involving natural resources, including Public Works, Engineering, and Environmental Services.  In addition, the Marion SWCD provides information to the Marion county commissioners to keep them informed of our activities and achievements.  The funding to support our office operations and staff comes primarily from the permanent tax rate ($0.05 per $1000 of assessed property value) established by Marion county voters in 2001. 

The Oregon Association of Conservation Districts is a statewide membership organization serving Oregon's Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Water Control Districts. OACD provides oversight and training opportunities for all of the local SWCDs in Oregon. The goals of OACD include: 

• Promoting the conservation and wise use of the natural resources of the state of Oregon. 
• Serving as spokesman for those who are committed to the belief that Oregon's soil, water, air and renewable resources must be used in accordance with the needs of the people of the state while maintaining a quality environment and a productive economy
• Cooperating with public and private organizations with similar purposes towards the adoption of statewide policies and programs which will effectively contribute to a quality environment and a productive economy. 
• Informing the public of the value of soil and water conservation, flood prevention, proper land use planning, orderly economic development, recreation development, fish and wildlife enhancement and other benefits.

The Natural Resources Division, NRD, of the ODA, provides support to all of the SWCDs in Oregon. The NRD coordinates various programs of districts and tries to keep directors informed of activities in other districts and to develop cooperation among districts. The NRD also seeks sources of assistance from other state and federal departments and agencies, provides administrative grant assistance, assists with district funding strategy, and is responsible for reviewing all projects, practices, budgets, contracts or regulations of districts.  ODA maintains a web resource center for SWCDs at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODA/SWCD/

Oregon State University Extension Service, OSU Extension

Oregon State University's Extension Service provides education and information based on timely research to help Oregonians solve problems and develop skills related to youth, family, community, farm, forest, energy, and marine resources. Their mission is carried out by extending the research knowledge base of the University to local people who need the information and providing leadership in applying this knowledge to the problems people have identified.  OSU Extension provides nonformal education that meets the needs of Oregonians and contributes significantly to strong individuals, families and communities; a vibrant economy; and sustainable natural resources.  Marion SWCD partners with the local OSU Extension offices for workshops, outreach events, and trainings. 

Farm Service Agency, FSA, and Rural Development, RD

The Marion SWCD shares office space with the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Rural Development (RD).  FSA’s mission is to stablize farm income, help farmers conserve land and water resources, provide credit to new or disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and help farm operations recover from the effects of disaster.  FSA provides aerial photos for use in conservation planning work done by Marion SWCD and NRCS.  RD helps to improve the economy and quality of life in rural areas by providing financial assistance, economic development, housing programs, community empowerment programs, and essential public facilities and services. 

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, OWEB

The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board provides technical assistance, technical training and forums for communication among the watershed councils and the Marion SWCD.  OWEB also provides small grants for locally identified restoration projects and offers workshops to landowners within the Marion SWCD.

National Association of Conservation Districts, NACD

The National Association of Conservation Districts assists the Marion SWCD by developing national conservation policies, influencing lawmakers, and building partnerships with other agencies and organizations.  The NACD also helps the Marion SWCD share ideas in order to better serve its local community.

Soil and Water Conservation Commission, SWCC

The Soil and Water Conservation Commission has a major role in overseeing the ODA grant programs to the Marion SWCD.  The Commission also provides assistance, direction and coordination between the Marion SWCD, the ODA Natural Resources Division, the NRCS, FSA, OSU Extension, OACD and OWEB.

Northwest Oregon Invasive Weed Management Partnership, NOIWMP, 
and Mid Willamette Cooperative Weed Management Area, CWMA

The Marion SWCD works with the Northwest Oregon Invasive Weed Management Partnership and the Mid Willamette Cooperative Weed Management Area to address issues of invasive plants in the region.  Together, these groups work to conduct prioritization, planning, inventory, control, and prevention activities.  The Marion SWCD and these partnership groups also provide landowner outreach and education. 

Oregon Forest Resources Institute, OFRI

Oregon Forest Resources Institute is funded by a portion of the harvest tax on forest products producers and was created to improve understanding of forestry and the state's forest resources.  Key OFRI programs include forest tours, conferences, support for scientific research, publications, teacher workshops, classroom education, and training workshops and other educational programs for forest landowners.  OFRI is a key supporter of the Rediscovery Forest located at the Oregon Garden, and for Envirothon, OFRI provides the forestry test writer, implements the teacher in-service, and pays for class field trips. 

The Straub Environmental Learning Center is a unique partnership between the Salem-Keizer School District, City of Salem, the Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center.  The Center is a structure that provides a lab, classroom, and meeting space for local organizations.  Throughout the year, the Straub Center offers a stream of programs for students and adults alike, all designed to heighten concern and respect for Oregon’s environment.  The Straub Center also functions as a showcase of sustainable building and landscape practices.  The stream bank setting is an ideal site for students of all ages to learn about watersheds, riparian areas, water quality, and their importance to an increasingly urban environment.  The Friends of SELC collaborate on workshops and projects with Marion SWCD. 

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Please see Resources & Links for web links to additional Marion SWCD partners. 

Contact the District!