Education & Outreach

The Calapooia Watershed Council (CWC) , North Santiam Watershed Council (NSWC) and the South Santiam Watershed Council (SSWC) are collaborating on a joint Education and Outreach Project. These three watersheds are located in the Willamette Valley. The Joint Education Project is designed to increase the knowledge of council members, citizens, landowners, and students about watershed principles. Through outreach, we also provide tools and opportunities for stakeholders to learn what they can do to protect, enhance, and restore their watershed.

Watershed Column in Newspapers

Want to learn more about the Calapooia Watershed? The South Santiam Watershed? The North Santiam Watershed? Pick up a newspaper!

Each council writes a monthly watershed column so watershed residents can learn what they can do to improve the health of their watershed. Topics vary and include erosion, dynamics of woody debris, septic tank and wellwater maintenance, removal of invasive weeds, etc.

Check out these local newspapers:

Brownsville Times: Watershed Wisdom

The New Era: Watershed Watch

Lebanon Express: Watershed Watch

Stayton Mail: Watershed News

Mill City Independent Press: Watershed News

Landowner Workshops

The Watershed Councils offer workshops to landowners throughout the three watershed region, some of which are held in partnership with Cascade Pacific Resource Conservation & Development Area, Inc., Marion Soil & Water Conservation District (Marion SWCD), Linn Soil and Water Conservation District (Linn SWCD), and OSU Extension. Past topics have included native plants, rainwater harvesting, wellwater/septic tank maintenance, healthy lawns, and energy and water conservation.

If you have an idea for a workshop, please contact us!

Watershed Tours

Stewardship Event

Come join us in completing an on-the-ground project in one of the watersheds!

Community Presentations

Council volunteers and staff are available to give presentations at the request of community organizations throughout the watershed. In the past, we have given presentations to local chapters of the Chamber of Commerce, city officials, county officials, and others. Please contact us if you would like us to attend your next meeting!

Student Stewardship & Classroom Activities

Students really enjoy learning more about the watershed, especially by working on a stewardship project. We invite students to work with us on restoration project and outreach projects (media, advertising) throughout the watershed. Students can also learn about watershed principles by hearing a presentation or doing a hands-on activity such as using our Enviroscape watershed model to learn about watershed functions. If you’re a teacher or a student, please contact us if you are interested in completing a stewardship project. We are currently working with students and teachers from Santiam High School, Lebanon, and Albany West High School.

Displays

We attend many events, always with a display in hand. Look for us at the Albany Farmer’s Market, Salem Public Works Day, Salem Water Festival, Santiam Summerfest, and the Fall Marketplace in Stayton.

Educational Materials

Many educational materials are available at the office, including landowner guides to restoration, native plant guides, ideas for classroom activities, etc. Please contact us if you would like to consult additional resources.

Canyon Trail

The North Santiam Canyon is a place rich in natural features, recreational opportunities and cultural resources set against the scenic backdrop of the North Santiam River, Little North Santiam River and Detroit Lake. Beginning just 30 miles east of the City of Salem, the Canyon has attracted people for many years, some to visit and others to stay. The concept of a canyon-wide trail system to provide a safer non-motorized travel alternative to State Highway 22 has been explored many times over the last several years.

Currently, the North Santiam Canyon Economic Development Corporation is working to make this trail a reality. As envisioned, the trail would connect the Canyon’s communities to each other and with the area’s outstanding natural, recreational and cultural features. The trail system will consist of biking, hiking and equestrian trails that connect communities in the Highway 22 corridor and offer recreation and education opportunities for Canyon residents and visitors. The proposed trail system provides a continuous trail from Lyons to Idanha. The system will use a range of alignments to achieve these non-motorized community connections including improved shared-use paved road shoulders, logging roads and the state owned rail bed. Stay tuned for future updates as this project moves forward!

GROW North Santiam

Growing Rural Opportunities Within

The North Santiam Canyon Economic Development Corporation (NSCEDC) is working with local small businesses and entrepreneurs to promote a stronger, sustainable local economy. To do this, they are using Enterprise Facilitation, a model that provides intensive one-on-one business coaching. This model has been very successful in other rural communities, including Baker County, Oregon. For more information or to get involved in supporting the local economy of the North Santiam Canyon, contact Mia Mohr, Project Manager, at 503-897-2295 or www.growsantiam.org. Strong economies lead to healthier watersheds!