Our Priorities
Everyone living, working, or playing within Washington County has an impact on the health of the Tualatin River watershed. By working together to conserve land and water, we can help our watershed and our community continue to thrive.
Clean & Abundant Water
The Tualatin River and its many tributariestributary A river or stream flowing into a larger body of water. provide our drinking water, irrigation for crops, habitat for fish and wildlife, recreation opportunities, and resources for local industries. Unfortunately, many of these waterways are experiencing pollution. There are a variety of actions we can all take to ensure that our water stays clean and accessible for current and future generations, especially in the face of a changing climate.
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Healthy Soil
Healthy soil is the basis for healthy ecosystems and healthy communities. Everything gets its start from the soil – from the food we eat, to the homes we live in, to the clothes we wear. Healthy soils are complex systems full of life. The more we can do to keep them that way, the better off we will be! When we care for our soil, we are also supporting clear air, clean water, bountiful crops, vibrant forests, diverse wildlife habitat, and beautiful landscapes.
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Food & Farms
Access to fresh, nutritious food is an important part of maintaining a healthy community. We all rely on farmers to supply the food we eat and the products we use every day. The fertile land on which farmers grow these crops is under constant pressure to be converted for residential or industrial uses. By preserving our community’s farmland and supporting agriculture through farmers markets, we can all help maintain a thriving local food system.
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Thriving Habitats
Just like humans, wildlife need access to food, water, and shelter. As our communities continue to expand, the natural spaces that fish, birds, mammals, and other wildlife rely on become degraded and disconnected. There are many ways we can work together to protect essential habitats and help wildlife move across the landscape, access food, and stay safe in urban, rural, and forested areas.
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Invasive Species Management
Invasive species damage lands and waters that native plants and animals need to survive. These species can disrupt our backyards, our farms, our waterways, our natural areas, and our forests. These damages can also impact the local economy and threaten the well-being of people. It is important to spot these species quickly and to work diligently to control their spread across the landscape.
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Resilient Forests
Healthy, functioning forests are active ecosystems that support wildlife, provide us with clean air, improve water quality, and capture carbon. About one half of the land area in Washington County is forestland, much of which contributes to the local economy by creating jobs and generating forest products. By caring for these forests wisely, we can help ensure that they are resilient to future disturbances like diseases, invasive species, or fire.
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