In the spring of 2022, the Columbia SWCD once again set a new personal record for the amount of grant funding obtained to address noxious weeds in Columbia County.

The SWCD was awarded 2 grants from the Oregon State Weed Board (OSWB). The first one, for $38,473, was for the ongoing treatment of Garlic mustard along Scappoose Creek. This grant also provided funds to begin seeding and restoring historically infested areas along N. Scappoose Creek with native plants.
The second grant from OSWB, for $38,126, provided funds to treat priority invasive species on public lands. Species covered in this grant included Meadow knapweed, Spurge laurel, Milk thistle, and Lesser celandine. This grant also provided significant funding for the purchase of native seed mixes and a pyroweeder, which the SWCD can use in the coming years to help restore sites and prevent further spread of noxious weeds.
This project is also heavily focused on strengthening local agency partnerships to create long-term plans for control and restoration.

For the first time, a funding opportunity was made available through the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The purpose of this opportunity was to provide additional funds for noxious weed treatments and equipment purchases related to this type of work. The Columbia SWCD was awarded $16,099 to conduct treatment and removal of Policemen’s helmet along Conyers Creek in Clatskanie. Additional funds covered the purchase of a new utility trailer, weedwhackers, field carts, and other small tools useful for vegetation management. We cannot wait to put them to good use!