Education and Outreach

Culvert Inventory: We hope to have a field crew working in the North Yamhill Basin again this summer. They will collect information on culverts for improving passage for migrating fish. Landowner participation in the program is completely voluntary, and there is no cost for the survey. The information we collect will not be used to regulate what landowners do on their property. It will simply allow us to see where there may be opportunities to improve fish access to high quality habitat. For those landowners interested in habitat improvement work, grant money and expertise are available through the YBC and the Yamhill Soil and Water Conservation District.
Storm Drain Marking: This project will begin again this summer. Volunteers marked over 150 storm drains during the summer of 2007 with tags reading, " No Dumping...Drains To River" to remind area residents that storm water does not go through the water treatment plant. The water flows to streams and rivers that are home to cutthroat trout, winter steelhead, and many other aquatic species.
Here's what you can do to help:
1. Always sweep sidewalks, driveways, and patios instead of hosing them down.
2. Wash your car on the lawn or gravel areas using non-toxic, low phosphate cleansers. A lawn benefits from the extra nutrients; a stream does not. Use a shut-off nozzle on the hose so you don't waste water by leaving it running.
3. Water and mow your lawn properly. Watering heavily once/week (to a depth of one inch) promotes deeper root growth and is more effective than numerous light waterings. Mow your lawn only when it needs it, and avoid over-cutting.
4. Recycle used motor oil and antifreeze. Never dump it down a storm drain! Wipe up motor oil and antifreeze drips when they occur.
5. Recycle or compost yard debris. Avoid dumping debris such as grass clippings into stream channels. It removes oxygen from the water needed by fish and other aquatic organisms.

Check our calendar for other activities which we will be doing for the next few months.

If you have ideas for workshops that you would like to see offered please contact the Yamhill Basin Council. We would like to hear from you.

Past Workshops/Events/Outreach (More information and photos)

Landscaping with Native Plants Workshop - January 26, 2008
Weed Management Workshop - May 20, 2006
Horse Pasture Management Workshop - 2006
Restoring Streamsides Workshop & Tour - October 12 & 15, 2005
Livable Communities and Water Quality -- Two Problems, One Solution? An Indepth Look at the Relationship between Livable Communities, Water Quality and the Health of Our Environment - January 29, 2005
Sheridan Japenese School, Laura McMaster's Class - March 18, 2004
Linfield College, Dr. Jack Murphy's Field Methods Class - March 11, 2004
Oregon Wildlife Workshop, March 13, 2004
Wells & Spetic System Workshop, October 2003
2nd Annual YBC Community BBQ - September 18, 2003
Native Plant Workshop
1st Annual YBC Community BBQ - September, 2002
YBC Watershed Restoration Workshop, April 27, 2002
Oregon State University Extension Watershed Stewardship Education Program, 2002