Natural Resources
Small Acreage Program
The Small Acreage program provides outreach to residents on how to manage issues small acreage landowners confront, such as mud and manure management, fencing and pasture management, wells and septic system maintenance, and other management topics unique to small acreage properties.
The Small Acreage program helps residents reduce pollution entering storm and surface water coming from residential and agricultural properties by giving residents the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their land and animals in a way that will help keep water clean. Often, these improved management practices also save small acreage owners money.
Watershed Stewards
The Watershed Stewards of Clark County work with residents to increase understanding and encourage practices that lead to healthy watersheds. Residents learn about watersheds and how individuals affect those watersheds, water quality, and habitat improvement.
The program trains volunteers to partner with agencies, environmental organizations, and community groups and individuals to promote community participation in local water quality and habitat enhancement educational outreach and activities. Volunteers work independently and jointly with agencies and organizations to monitor water quality in Clark County’s streams, lakes, and wetlands.
Gee Creek Watershed Restoration
The Gee Creek Watershed Restoration project works with citizens, partner agencies, community and non-profit groups to maintain and enhance water quality and habitat conditions in the Gee Creek Watershed. Gee Creek begins east of Interstate 5, flows through the City of Ridgefield, and empties into the Columbia River through the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
The project coordinator works out of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge offices and partners with members of the community-based Gee Creek Enhancement Committee to identify watershed conditions, plan and prioritize restoration needs, implement restoration projects on the ground, and educate residents about the watershed and best management practices. Local lead partners include the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, the non-profit Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership, Washington State University Clark County Extension, the City of Ridgefield, and watershed residents.
Forestry
WSU Skamania County Extension serves Clark residents to answer forestry related questions. Education programs include Forest Stewardship, timber sales, reforestation, wildlife and other aspects of woodland management are provided.
The Rural Technology Initiative (RTI) is a technology transfer program created as a partnership between the University of Washington, Washington State University, and the USDA Forest Service to provide forest managers with the best scientific knowledge and tools needed to solve today’s complex forest management problems.
You can view RTI presentations at http://www.ruraltech.org/video/index.asp such as:
- Changing Markets: Red Alder and Red Cedar
- Forest Fire and Fuel Reduction
- Riparian Management
- Wildlife Habitat
Learn about GIS forestry applications or find out about the latest RTI trainings offered for non-industrial forest landowners, public and private forestry professionals, and educators.
You may also visit the Washington State University publications for information on forestry. Other publications on Christmas Trees are also available.