What Oregon Soil and Water Conservation Districts Are
A soil and water conservation district, or SWCD, is a local government special district with elected directors. According to the Oregon Association of Conservation Districts (OACD), districts work voluntarily with private landowners and partners on resource concerns identified locally. They offer conservation services, technical assistance, financial assistance and educational outreach. If you farm, ranch, own woodland or just have a creek running through the back forty, there is probably a district that covers your land.
How Many Districts and Where
As of 2025 Oregon has 45 districts, per OACD. Douglas, Grant, Josephine, Lake, Lane and Multnomah counties each have two, and Baker County has four. The Oregon Department of Agriculture's SWCD program serves all 45. To find yours, use OACD's "Regions and Directory of Districts" page or call OACD at (971) 988-9929.
What Districts Work On
OACD lists water quality, soil health, habitat and pollinators, urban conservation, rangeland and forest management, fish and wildlife habitat, wildfire recovery and invasive weeds. Focus areas vary by region, so a Willamette Valley district and an eastern Oregon rangeland district may spend their days very differently. Districts may provide funding directly or help landowners access it, and they commonly cover 50 to 75 percent of the cost of an eligible practice, per OACD.
Districts also have a regulatory-adjacent role. Farm Progress reports that SWCDs serve as local management agencies for Senate Bill 1010, which led to Agricultural Water Quality Management Plans for watersheds statewide. Those plans set goals for specific areas and encourage landowners to adopt practices that meet them.
Who Runs a District
Each district is governed by an independently elected board, per ODA. State law, ORS 568.560, says a board consists of five or seven directors. Two positions are at-large, held by district residents who are registered voters. Other directors represent zones set by ODA and must be registered voters who live in their zone. In districts without a county of 250,000 or more people, zone directors must also own or manage at least 10 acres in the zone and actively manage that land, or show interest in conservation through a year of service as a director or associate director plus an approved conservation plan.
Terms are four years. Directors choose their own chair, secretary and other officers. A seat becomes vacant if a director misses three consecutive meetings, resigns, no longer qualifies or refuses the oath, and remaining directors normally fill it, or ODA does if a majority of seats are vacant or the board cannot agree. West Multnomah SWCD, per its governance page, has seven elected directors, five by zone and two at large, plus four appointed associate directors, and its seats go on the November general election ballot when terms end.
Running for a Board Seat
Marion SWCD's election page shows how it works for 2026. Directors are elected by the district's registered voters. A candidate gets the Declaration of Candidacy and Petition for Nomination from ODA, collects at least 10 valid signatures from registered voters in the district, has the forms certified by the county election office and files them with the ODA SWCD Election Clerk. In 2026 filing ran from July 16 to 5:00 p.m. on August 25, and late materials were rejected regardless of postmark. Requirements and dates may change each cycle, so check with ODA and your district.
Money: Grants and Local Taxes
Farm Progress reported that ODA distributes $5 million in technical assistance funds from the Oregon Lottery and that ten of the 45 districts then had voter-approved permanent tax rates expected to provide about $5.4 million that year. OACD now says 15 districts have passed tax levies. A round of Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board funding included 38 grants to 18 SWCDs totaling more than $2.2 million. Each district can apply for OWEB grants for qualifying projects.
How to Work With Your District
- Call before you dig, plant or fence. District staff can tell you what practices they help with.
- Ask about cost share, since OACD says districts commonly cover 50 to 75 percent of an eligible practice.
- Bring a map of your property and a description of the problem, such as erosion, weeds or a stream bank.
- Ask about your local Agricultural Water Quality Management Plan.
- Attend a board meeting. Directors are your neighbors, and seats are open to qualified local people.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many conservation districts does Oregon have?
45, per OACD and ODA.
Are districts regulators?
OACD describes their work as voluntary. They serve as local management agencies for SB 1010 water quality plans, per Farm Progress.
Who pays for district projects?
Funding comes from mixed sources, including state lottery technical assistance funds, OWEB grants and local taxes in some districts.
Can I run for the board?
If you meet ORS 568.560 qualifications, yes. Contact ODA, which lists elections on its SWCD program pages, at 503-986-4550.
Oregon Listings Covered by This Guide
- Baker Valley Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district serving the Baker Valley, helping landowners with irrigation, range and streamside projects; it shares an office with other Baker County districts.
3990 Midway Drive, Baker City, OR 97814 | 541-523-7121 - Benton Soil and Water Conservation District
Benton County conservation district offering technical help on erosion, native plants and farmland stewardship to Corvallis-area landowners.
808C NW Buchanan Ave., Corvallis, OR 97333 | 541-753-7208 - Burnt River Soil and Water Conservation District
Burnt River Soil and Water Conservation District is one of four Baker County conservation districts that share an office at 3990 Midway Drive in Baker City, working with landowners on soil, water and range stewardship.
3990 Midway Drive, Baker City, OR 97814 | 541-523-7121 - Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District
Clackamas County district that supports farmers and rural landowners with soil health, water quality and weed control programs.
22055 S Beavercreek Road, Oregon City, OR 97045 | 503-210-6000 - Clatsop Soil and Water Conservation District
North coast district working with Clatsop County landowners on salmon habitat, pasture drainage and invasive plant control.
750 Commercial St., Suite 207, Astoria, OR 97103 | 503-325-4571 - Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District
Columbia County district helping small farms and forest owners with stream protection, manure management and cost-share projects.
35285 Millard Road, St. Helens, OR 97051 | 503-433-3205 - Coos Soil and Water Conservation District
Coos County conservation district working on dairy pasture, tidal wetland restoration and landowner technical assistance.
379 N Adams St., Coquille, OR 97423 | 541-396-6879 - Crook County Soil and Water Conservation District
Prineville-based district providing irrigation efficiency, juniper management and range conservation help to Crook County ranchers.
498 SE Lynn Blvd., Prineville, OR 97754 | 541-447-3548 - Curry County Soil and Water Conservation District
Curry County district serving the south coast with watershed health, riparian planting and landowner conservation planning.
29286 Ellensburg Ave., Gold Beach, OR 97444 | 541-247-2755 - Deschutes Soil and Water Conservation District
Bend district focused on irrigation piping, small-acreage pasture management and water conservation in Deschutes County.
805 SW Industrial Way, No. 5, Bend, OR 97702 | 541-550-6834 - Douglas Soil and Water Conservation District
Douglas County district assisting Umpqua Valley landowners with erosion control, streamside restoration and farm conservation planning.
Roseburg, OR 97471 | 541-900-0354 - Eagle Valley Soil and Water Conservation District
Eagle Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is one of four Baker County conservation districts that share an office at 3990 Midway Drive in Baker City, working with landowners on soil, water and range stewardship.
3990 Midway Drive, Baker City, OR 97814 | 541-523-7121 - East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District
East Multnomah Soil and Water Conservation District gives landowners near Portland technical help and projects for soil health, irrigation efficiency and water quality; mailing and office address 5211 N Williams Ave..
5211 N Williams Ave., Portland, OR 97217 | 503-222-7645 - Fort Rock-Silver Lake Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district covering the Fort Rock and Silver Lake areas, with its office in Lakeview.
17612 Hwy 395, Lakeview, OR 97630 | (541) 947-5855 - Fort Rock/Silver Lake Soil and Water Conservation District
Fort Rock/Silver Lake Soil and Water Conservation District in Lake County shares its Paisley mailing address with a neighboring district and helps landowners with soil, water and rangeland conservation projects.
PO Box 120, Paisley, OR 97636 | 541-947-5855 - Gilliam County Soil and Water Conservation District
Condon-based district supporting wheat growers and ranchers in Gilliam County with soil erosion and rangeland conservation work.
Condon, OR 97823 | 541-384-2672 - Grant Soil and Water Conservation District
John Day district working with Grant County ranchers on irrigation, rangeland health and fish-friendly diversions.
721 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845 | 541-575-0135 - Harney Soil and Water Conservation District
Harney County district helping high desert ranchers with water development, juniper control and meadow management.
530 Highway 20 S, Hines, OR 97738 | 541-573-6446 - Hood River Soil and Water Conservation District
Hood River district supporting orchardists and growers with irrigation efficiency, soil health and watershed projects.
3007 Experiment Station Drive, Hood River, OR 97031 | 541-386-4588 - Illinois Valley Soil and Water Conservation District
Illinois Valley Soil and Water Conservation District gives landowners near Cave Junction technical help and projects for soil health, irrigation efficiency and water quality; mailing and office address PO Box 352.
PO Box 352, Cave Junction, OR 97523 | 541-592-3731 Website - Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District
Rogue Valley district offering irrigation, pasture and riparian technical help to Jackson County farmers and landowners.
89 Alder St., Central Point, OR 97502 | 541-423-6159 - Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District
Jefferson County district helping Madras-area growers and ranchers with canal piping, soil health and range projects.
625 SE Salmon Ave., Suite 6, Redmond, OR 97756 | 541-699-3170 - Keating Soil and Water Conservation District
Keating Soil and Water Conservation District is one of four Baker County conservation districts that share an office at 3990 Midway Drive in Baker City, working with landowners on soil, water and range stewardship.
3990 Midway Drive, Baker City, OR 97814 | 541-523-7121 - Klamath Soil and Water Conservation District
Klamath Basin district working with irrigators and ranchers on water use, wetlands and cropland conservation.
1945 Main St., Suite 200, Klamath Falls, OR 97601 | 541-883-6924 - Lakeview Soil and Water Conservation District
Lakeview Soil and Water Conservation District in Lake County shares its Paisley mailing address with a neighboring district and helps landowners with soil, water and rangeland conservation projects.
PO Box 120, Paisley, OR 97636 | 541-947-5855 - Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District
Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District gives landowners near Newport technical help and projects for soil health, irrigation efficiency and water quality; mailing and office address PO Box 2273.
PO Box 2273, Newport, OR 97365 | 541-265-2631 - Linn Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Tangent that supports farmers, ranchers and rural landowners with soil and water programs; contact the office at 33935 Highway 99E, Suite C.
33935 Highway 99E, Suite C, Tangent, OR 97389 | 541-926-2483 - Malheur County Soil and Water Conservation District
Malheur County Soil and Water Conservation District is the local special district for soil and water stewardship around Ontario, working with agricultural producers on conservation planning.
2925 SW Sixth Ave., Suite 2, Ontario, OR 97914 | 541-823-5130 Website - Malheur Soil and Water Conservation District
Ontario conservation district working with Malheur County irrigated farms and rangeland.
2925 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 2, Ontario, OR 97914 | (541) 889-2588 Website - Marion Soil and Water Conservation District
Marion Soil and Water Conservation District gives landowners near Stayton technical help and projects for soil health, irrigation efficiency and water quality; mailing and office address PO Box 537.
PO Box 537, Stayton, OR 97383 | 503-391-9927 - Monument Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Monument that supports farmers, ranchers and rural landowners with soil and water programs; contact the office at PO Box 95 (office: 311 Wilson St.).
PO Box 95 (office: 311 Wilson St.), Monument, OR 97864 | 541-934-2141 - Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District
Morrow Soil and Water Conservation District is the local special district for soil and water stewardship around Heppner, working with agricultural producers on conservation planning.
PO Box 127 (office: 430 Linden Way), Heppner, OR 97836 | 541-676-5452 - Polk Soil and Water Conservation District
Polk Soil and Water Conservation District gives landowners near Dallas technical help and projects for soil health, irrigation efficiency and water quality; mailing and office address 580 Main St., Suite A.
580 Main St., Suite A, Dallas, OR 97338 | 503-623-9680 - Sherman County Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Moro that supports farmers, ranchers and rural landowners with soil and water programs; contact the office at PO Box 405.
PO Box 405, Moro, OR 97039 | 541-565-3216 - Siuslaw Soil and Water Conservation District
Siuslaw Soil and Water Conservation District is the local special district for soil and water stewardship around Florence, working with agricultural producers on conservation planning.
1775 Laurel Place, Suite 4, Florence, OR 97439 | 541-997-1272 - Tillamook County Soil and Water Conservation District
Tillamook County Soil and Water Conservation District gives landowners near Tillamook technical help and projects for soil health, irrigation efficiency and water quality; mailing and office address 4000 Blimp Blvd., Suite 200.
4000 Blimp Blvd., Suite 200, Tillamook, OR 97141 | 503-457-9024 - Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Hillsboro that supports farmers, ranchers and rural landowners with soil and water programs; contact the office at 7175 NE Evergreen Parkway, No. 400.
7175 NE Evergreen Parkway, No. 400, Hillsboro, OR 97124 | 503-334-2288 Website - Two Rivers Soil and Water Conservation District
Two Rivers Soil and Water Conservation District is the local special district for soil and water stewardship around Grants Pass, working with agricultural producers on conservation planning.
1590 SE N St., Suite C, Grants Pass, OR 97526 | 541-659-7465 - Umatilla County Soil and Water Conservation District
Umatilla County Soil and Water Conservation District gives landowners near Pendleton technical help and projects for soil health, irrigation efficiency and water quality; mailing and office address 1 SW Nye Ave., Suite 130.
1 SW Nye Ave., Suite 130, Pendleton, OR 97801 | 541-278-8049 - Umpqua Soil and Water Conservation District
Conservation district based in Reedsport that supports farmers, ranchers and rural landowners with soil and water programs; contact the office at PO Box 415.
PO Box 415, Reedsport, OR 97467 | 541-662-1341
Plus 8 more. Find yours on your county's page in the Oregon directory.
Guide checked Nov. 11, 2026. Rules and dates change; confirm with the organizer.