Out of the Blues Newsletter - Fall 2025

District Activities Overview

Ukiah Fire Project -

In a response to the fire damage from 2024, Umatilla County Soil and Water Conservation District is partnering with Monument SWCD and other agencies to begin the ridge-to-ridge restoration of the John Day Basin  area. 

The Umatilla SWCD is searching for private landowners who want restoration assistance for damages from the fires. 

If you would like to learn more, or would like help accessing resources for a restoration project, please visit the webpage and fill out the form: 

https://www.umatillaswcd.org/ukiah-fire-project

After Action of OWEB Review Team Tours

The Umatilla SWCD hosted a a day of tours for the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) on Thursday, September 4. The day was full of great discussions covering all of the grants, but the focus in particular was on the Water Control District Collaborative. The reviewers were very interested in the cost-benefit analysis tool created for the grant, and were additionally interested in the challenges the Water Control Districts have faced in meeting their charter obligations in the last season.  

The tour included visits to McKay (for the Water CD Grant), Lower Birch, Snipe and Owens Creeks outside Ukiah. The group also visited Tom Straughan's property in the Lower Birch and the Alstott property in Ukiah for Snipe Creek. It was a robust day of walking, especially since the headcut was taller than the reviewers at the bottom of Snipe Creek.

It was a great opportunity to showcase the myriad of projects that Umatilla SWCD is hoping to implement in Umatilla County.

Countywide Flood Recovery Collaborative

As the Umatilla SWCD continues to pursue ways to further its mission in providing natural resource education to the county, Kyle is coordinating the Countywide Flood Recovery Collaborative. This group seeks to solve the shared challenges every watershed in Umatilla County faces during flood recovery. This is a biannual gathering of over 20 organizations to discuss the entirety of the county's water systems, and to coordinate efforts for maximum conservation and results. If you would like to attend a meeting, please reach out to Kyle Waggoner's email directly.

Water Development on Wildhorse Creek

The Umatilla SWCD has been assisting with a water development project within the Wildhorse Creek drainage area southeast of Athena, Oregon. The project is located on the edge of Umatilla SIA III/IV Couse Creek/East Birch Creek. The landowner currently runs up to 40 head of horses on the property - prior to this project, the only water supply was a broken down pond, that in high water events drained into Wildhorse Creek. By creating a cross fence, fencing off the pond source, and piping the source directly into two troughs, the project is now producing better water quality and more efficient grazing distribution. 

Annual Umatilla SWCD Meeting

On November 18 at 5:00 p.m., the community is invited to the Soil and Water Conservation District's annual meeting. The location is to be determined, and will be announced at a later date. 

District Recognized through State Land Board Award

Every year since 2004, the State Land Board Awards recognize projects and partners for their exceptional contributions to thriving Oregon waterways, wetlands, and lands. Kyle has been chosen to be honored  by the State of Oregon  in Salem on October 14 with the Catalyst Award. This designation recognizes an individual partner whose work supports and inspires stewardship of state lands and waters. He is looking forward to accepting this on behalf of himself, but more so on the behalf of the board of directors and other community leaders that have made the work possible.

As always, feel free to reach out with questions or comments.

Upcoming Grant Applications

 Submitted Grant Applications

Current Projects (Implementing)