South Yakima Conservation District is working to restore vital salmon habitat in a spring-fed cool pool channel just off the Yakima River. This channel, which is perfect for salmon, faces challenges from erosion and water quality issues due to uncontrolled cattle access and invasive weeds. The main river channel has also been slowly eroding since a cottonwood forest was removed in the mid-20th century.
South Yakima CD, in partnership with Mid-Columbia Fisheries and a local land manager, is stepping up to restore this vital habitat by installing livestock exclusion fencing and controlling noxious weeds on the streambank. The project will continue through 2027 and includes more fencing, riparian plantings, and efforts to replant the historic cottonwood forest to stabilize the riverbank and support wildlife.
Established in the 1890s and donated to Washington State University in 2020, Vetter Farm is jointly managed by the Stevens County Conservation District and WSU Extension. This 158-acre property serves as a working demonstration farm, supporting soil health research, agroforestry trials, and educational field days that bring local producers together to share ideas and test new approaches.
In the glacial valleys of Stevens County, the Hagen family partners with the Stevens County Conservation District to advance voluntary conservation on their registered Black Angus and Hereford operation. Through programs like VSP and Floodplains by Design, they’re improving soil health, managing manure responsibly, and maintaining productive irrigated pastures.
Jefferson County CD partnered with Spring Rain Farm to install multistory riparian buffers that protect wetlands while keeping the farm productive. It’s a working example of how restoration and agriculture can thrive together.
