About Us

Who We Are

A group of ten people posing outdoors on a sunny day, with a wooden fence and clear blue sky in the background.

Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District (JSWCD) is a local, non-regulatory organization dedicated to helping people care for the natural resources that sustain our communities. Our staff provide technical assistance, education, and resources to support healthy soils, clean water, resilient forests, and productive farms and ranches across Jackson County.

Whether it’s planning a restoration project, hosting a soil health workshop, or building partnerships with local organizations, our work focuses on practical, science-based solutions that benefit both people and the land.

Who We Work With

Our success depends on strong relationships with people and partners across the county. We proudly work with:

Three people in a rural landscape with mountains, grassland, and a pond under a clear blue sky.

Landowners and Land Managers – Farmers, ranchers, forest owners, and homeowners who want to conserve resources and improve their land.
Community Members – Residents and volunteers interested in water quality, soil health, habitat, and resilient landscapes.
Educators and Students – Teachers and schools who invite us into classrooms for environmental education and hands-on learning.
Local Organizations and Agencies – Conservation partners, watershed councils, and agencies working alongside us to protect natural resources at a regional scale.

What We Do

Three people stand by a shallow creek, wearing boots and hats, surrounded by trees and bushes under a clear blue sky.

At JSWCD, our work spans a range of dynamic, science-based services tailored to meet the needs of Jackson County’s diverse landscapes and communities. We focus on three core areas—technical assistance, education and outreach, and financial support—supplemented by monitoring and equipment access to help landowners and residents put conservation into action.

Technical Assistance & Conservation Support

We partner with landowners and managers to tackle natural-resource challenges through on-the-ground site visits, planning, and expertise. Whether it’s improving irrigation efficiency, managing soil health, restoring forests, or protecting riparian zones, our team provides tailored, science-backed guidance. This includes support for healthy soils, pasture and forest management, water conservation, erosion control, and riparian restoration.

Forest & Fire Resiliency

Before and after forest scene, showing tree thinning and clearing on a purple background.

With forests central to Jackson County’s ecological health, we focus on building forest resilience by offering tools, resources, and technical assistance to reduce wildfire risk and support restorative forest management. Our team provides guidance through educational materials and one-on-one support to help landowners and communities create and maintain fire-adapted landscapes.

Monitoring & Adaptive Management

Person standing in a stream, holding two bottles, surrounded by greenery.

Our long-term monitoring programs help track the outcomes of conservation projects over time. This data informs adaptive management and supports regional conservation efforts by identifying trends in water quality, soil health, and riparian condition.

Dew Drop Seeder with Cultipacker Attachment

Equipment Rental

JSWCD offers access to no-till seeders at a low cost to support landowners and managers who want to improve and maintain soil health. No-till seeding makes it easier to establish cover crops, improve pasture productivity, and restore vegetation without disturbing the soil. This practice helps reduce erosion, improve water infiltration, and build long-term soil health. By providing affordable access to specialized equipment, we lower the barrier of purchasing your own and make it easier to put conservation practices into action. Our staff can also provide technical assistance on how and when to use the no-till seeders to achieve the best results for soil health and sustainable land management.

Education & Community Outreach

Outdoor information booth with educational displays, papers, timers, hula hoops, and a conservation district banner under a canopy.

We engage with people across ages and communities by offering:

Newsletter & Communications – Our quarterly emails share project updates, upcoming events, conservation news, and practical resources, helping keep residents informed and engaged.
Social Media & News Outreach – We use digital platforms, local news, and direct mailings to reach a broad audience with educational materials and timely updates.
Event Tabling & Public Engagement – At fairs, community gatherings, and other events, we set up interactive displays and activities to educate the public about soil health, water conservation, wildfire resilience, and more.
School & Youth Programs – By bringing hands-on environmental science and natural resource lessons into classrooms and hosting competitions like the Southern Oregon Regional Envirothon, we inspire students to become future conservation stewards.

Financial Assistance

JSWCD offers several financial incentive programs to help individuals and groups implement conservation projects:

Stormwater Management & Water Storage Rebate Program – Supports projects like rainwater harvesting and stormwater gardens.
Riparian Restoration Rebate Program – Helps fund small-scale streamside revegetation and habitat improvement projects (typically under 1 acre).
Community Conservation and Education (CCE) Grant – Supports group-based conservation and educational initiatives.
Additional Area-Specific Programs – We also run targeted assistance initiatives based on seasonal or geographic needs.