4-County CWMA Pull Together

Location

The 4-County Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) is sponsoring this free half-day event as a way for area land managers and environmental professionals to exchange ideas, hear about the latest in local weed management, and make new connections. In the world of invasive plant species, the landscape can change a great deal in a year - come and find out what those changes are.

The agenda features a diverse series of talks from professional peers, a choice of break-out sessions, a networking period, and a keynote talk by Andrea Thorpe from the Institute for Applied Ecology. To take advantage of the opportunity to update others about your program, you are invited to display a poster in the event’s networking room. We hope to see you there!

Registration deadline February 24. Contact CWMA Coordinator Elena Cronin at info@4countycwma.org.
http://4countycwma.org/events/

Landscaping for Conservation Workshop

Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010
1-4pm
SW Community Center

Learn more about how to work with nature to decrease maintenance in your yard. Topics include native plants, why healthy soil is critical to plant success, and more. Information on local technical assistance and funding resources for landowners will also be available.

This workshop will include a site visit to a nearby yard for a discussion with a landowner who has integrated native plants into the landscape.

Registration recommended. Reserve your space by calling 503-823-2862 or emailing watershed at swni.org.

Living with Urban Coyotes

On Wednesday, February 1 at 7pm, Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director at Audubon Society of Portland, will host a presentation and Q&A on living with coyotes in Portland.
For more information on urban coyotes, visit the Audubon Society of Portland coyote page.
PSU and Audubon are tracking urban coyote sightings. Report sightings here.

SW Portland Weed Workshop, May 25th

Location

Join us for a FREE workshop focusing on Early Detection/Rapid Response (EDRR) for invasive weeds. After attending, you will be equipped to: - Identify new invaders in the region - Report new invaders before they become a problem - Use Best Management Practices to control existing invaders.  Read more...

Volunteer & Training Opportunities

Enhance your knowledge of SW Portland watersheds with the WRC's monthly e-newsletter, which contains information, upcoming watershed training opportunities and events! Email watershed@swni.org to sign up.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

• OSU Extension Master Watershed Steward Program training: Oregon Water School was held in the Portland metro area this past April. It offers courses on watershed ecology, water quality, watershed stewardship, gardening and landscape practices. For more information on future offerings, visit the MWS program link above.
• Invasive Insects Workshop: if you are interested in learning more about invasive insects in an evening or short weekend workshop led by an entomologist from the Oregon Dept of Agriculture -- contact the WRC for more info.

Volunteer Opportunities

Work Party Volunteers and Leaders

Enjoy being outdoors? Spend a Saturday morning giving back to your neighborhood park. Group leaders also needed: Help other volunteers remove invasive plants, install native plants, and use tools correctly and safely.

Training: Receive training on best practices for removal and replanting of natural areas, as well as safety, tools and maintenance.
Commitment: Any Saturday morning. Leaders coordinate with WRC staff to hold work parties periodically throughout the year.
Locations: throughout SW Portland. See the Watershed Stewards page to find recurring work parties in your area.

Multnomah Days

Work with Watershed Steward groups and WRC Coordinator to create eye-catching activities, costumes and displays that convey watershed awareness.
Training: Learn the elements of effective environmental outreach, and how to manage large events.
Commitment: Multnomah Days is held on the third Saturday in August, plus about 20-30 hours in the three months preceding event.

Database Guru

Create a database to track WRC visitor and volunteer information and produce monthly and quarterly reports.

If you have any questions or other volunteer interests related to SW Portland watersheds, please contact Jen Seamans, WRC Coordinator, via phone (503-823-2862) or email at watershed at swni.org.

WRC & EMO seek Outreach Intern

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Interfaith Network for Earth Concerns is recruiting for an Outreach Intern to support the Congregations Caring for Watersheds and Wildlife (C2W2) program, in partnership with the Southwest Watershed Resource Center (WRC). C2W2 is funded by West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District to support local communities of faith undertaking watershed restoration projects. A successful intern will work both independently and as a part of a collaborative team with organizational partners and diverse communities of faith.

Essential Functions:

• Assist with production of handbook and workshop materials for watershed restoration. Provide logistical support for events, help field phone/email inquiries.
• Maintain positive atmosphere of mutual learning with congregation leaders, community partners, activity participants, and volunteer mentors.
• Follow up with participants and leaders to plan project steps and resources needed.
• Implement project pre- and post-assessments.
• Create outreach, recruitment and publicity materials, which may include flyers, postcards, web content, e-newsletters, spreadsheets and/or databases.
• Work conditions will include an office with frequent visitors and background noise, events and site visits at local churches, lifting, and/or sitting at a computer.
• May be asked to assist with other related duties.

Expected Educational Outcome Areas:

• Community outreach & development: partnerships, volunteer coordination and mentoring, building stakeholder commitment and consensus, educational program assessment.
• Watershed restoration: site assessment, functional & opportunity analysis, project design, phasing and overall management, long term maintenance and sustainability.
• Other: handbook & media production, GIS, grant writing and reporting.

Qualifications:

• Current student working toward a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Coursework or experience in natural sciences, community development, planning or education.
• Basic knowledge of watershed restoration including native and invasive plants, wildlife habitat and stormwater management helpful.
• Comfort/rapport with diverse communities of faith; excellent communication skills.
• Skills in Microsoft Office, InDesign, PhotoShop, web content management preferred.

Internship Details:

200 hour internship, to be completed by July 2012 (average 8-9 hrs/week for 24 weeks). Schedule is flexible but needs to be defined at the start of the internship. A $1,000 education scholarship will be awarded at completion. Intern will also receive free registration to events and trainings; staff will support internship credit opportunities. Project-related expenses will be reimbursed. No other benefits conferred.

To apply: send cover letter and resume to watershed@swni.org.

Intro to Rainwater Harvesting Workshop

Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting Workshop
Saturday, November 19th
9am - 1pm
SW Community Center - Multipurpose Rooms
6820 SW 45th Ave.
Portland, OR 97219
Cost: Free

Cosponsored by: Tualatin River Watershed Council, Portland Purple Water, Clackamas, Tualatin and West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation Districts, and Tualatin Basin Partners for Clean Water.

Topics covered:

• Rainwater collection for both urban and rural settings (<550 gallons)
• Potable and non-potable uses
• Parts needed to install a system
• Water availability calculation
• Water uses and irrigation efficiency
• Pump systems, gutters and downspouts
• Concept of large tanks (>550 gallons)
• Case studies

Registration is now closed for the Sat., Nov 19 workshop. If you need to cancel your registration, or if you would like to receive notification of future workshops, please contact 503-823-2862 or watershed@swni.org.

WRC seeks 2009-10 Outreach Intern

SWNI's Watershed Resource Center has recruitment underway for a Watershed Education & Outreach Intern through the AmeriCorps LINKS program. Application details at the end of the post.

Watershed Education & Outreach Intern

AmeriCorps LINKS Member
Dates: September 2009 - June 2010 (flexible)
675 hour position (average about 15 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Open until filled. Applicants are interviewed & placed on an on-going basis until positions are filled. Interviews are underway.

Position Summary:
Do you love water, wildlife and plants? Want to share your enthusiasm with a variety of audiences, and create opportunities for others to discover what they can do to help? The Southwest Watershed Resource Center (WRC) seeks an intern who will help inspire awareness and action to protect watershed health by helping to create & implement education programs, demonstrations, or activity kits for youth. Intern may also assist with a community-based social marketing program to reach park visitors. Put your creative ideas into action for the benefit of healthy watersheds and healthy people!

About the Project Sponsor:
The Southwest Watershed Resource Center (WRC), http://wrc.swni.org, inspires watershed awareness and stewardship at the neighborhood scale in SW Portland. The office is located inside the Southwest Community Center (SWCC), 6820 SW 45th Ave, adjacent to Gabriel Park. SWCC is located on bus line #1 and within 0.75 mile walk of bus lines #44, 45. No regular off-site travel is needed for this position.

General Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
- Develop and promote new programs, demonstrations, or activity kits for young audiences based at the WRC and Gabriel Park.
- Acquire, organize and maintain education program supplies.
- Help recruit and train volunteers to assist with programs.
- Assist with community-based social marketing outreach to promote watershed action among park visitors.
- Integrate program assessment throughout process, and compile data.
- Complete and submit all necessary LINKS AmeriCorps Program paperwork and reports in a timely manner.
- Attend and complete LINKS AmeriCorps Program orientation and enrollment session.
- Wear an appropriate LINKS identifier and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.

Requirements:
- Desire to motivate others to act on behalf of watershed health wherever they are.
- Able to develop an encouraging, professional rapport with a variety of audiences, including young children, parents, volunteers, and adults.
- Excellent public speaking and written communication skills.
- Ability to create content for websites.
- Must be at least 17 years of age at the time of enrollment in the program.
- U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
- Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, or commit to earning one prior to receiving an education award.
- Ability to commit to the full term of service for which they are applying.
- Submit to a criminal history background check and National Sex Offender Registry search.
- Regular and reliable attendance.

Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of Pacific NW ecology, natural history or related background.
- Prior work or volunteer experience with youth.
- A ready learner of skills in educational program development and assessment.
- Creative arts and/or writing helpful in development of program materials.

Member Benefits Include:
- Receive training in environmental education, program development & assessment, social marketing, and volunteer coordination. Internship may be eligible for credit or culminating project, depending on program of study.
- Upon successful completion of a term of service, eligible members receive an education award of $1,800. The education award can be used to repay qualified student loans, for further education in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational or for trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year that it is used.
- Loan forbearance (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay a portion of the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable).
- Other expected benefits include unlimited use of community center recreation facilities.

How to apply:
Step 1 - Email your résumé to links.recruitment@esd112.org and to watershed.resource.center@gmail.com
Step 2 - Complete your application online at the AmeriCorps website. AmeriCorps Application
1. If you do not already have a username and password, you must create a profile.
2. Once you have created a profile, log in and complete an application by clicking “Applications” under the “My AmeriCorps” menu.
3. To apply to this specific position, click “Search Listings” under the “My AmeriCorps” menu and search for
program name LINKS.
4. Select the position listing and click “Apply Now” at the bottom of the page.

Questions about the project?
Contact: Jen Seamans
WRC Coordinator
503-823-2862
watershed.resource.center@gmail.com

Questions about AmeriCorps, LINKS or our recruitment process?
Contact: Erika Johnson
LINKS
2500 NE 65th Ave
Vancouver, WA 98661
p 360) 750-7500 x 114
f 360) 360-694-2491
links.recruitment@esd112.org

Unable to Apply On-line? Click here: http://www.esd112.org/links/resources.html.

Location