- Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board awarded the City of Salem with the $546,530 grant.
- The grant funds will help restore native vegetation and habitat in the Minto Island Conservation Area.
- The grant period is for 5 years and is estimated to be completed in 2030.
Salem, Ore. —The Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) awarded $546,530 to the City of Salem for the Minto Island Conservation Area’s West Forest Restoration Project.
The grant was announced at OWEB’s October meeting and is one of 71 restoration projects totaling $14.2 million to support fish and wildlife habitat and water quality projects statewide.
“This OWEB grant award will allow the City and partners to continue improving the ecological functioning and resilience of the conservation area by restoring native riparian forest, improving habitat, and reducing invasive species,” says Jeffery Johnson, Natural Resources Planner, City of Salem.
The Minto Island Conservation Area’s West Forest Restoration Project goal is to improve the health of the Minto Island Conservation Area, along the Willamette River. The project will restore functioning native riparian forests, provide refuge for native fish during high flows, sequester carbon, and serve as a habitat for native plants and animals. The restoration work builds on previous phases of restoration in the Minto Island Conservation Area. Grant-funded work will include treatment and removal of invasive plant species as well as the planting of 36,500 plants and 300 pounds of seed on site. Work is expected to begin in January 2025 and be completed by the end of 2030.
Funding for these grants, awarded by the OWEB Board, comes from the Oregon Lottery, and Federal Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery funds provided by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration. Additional matching funds in the form of technical assistance are being provided by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Since 1999, the Oregon Lottery has provided over $525 million to OWEB’s grant program that helps restore, maintain, and enhance Oregon’s watersheds. Combined, the Lottery has earned nearly $15 billion for watershed enhancements, public education, state parks, and economic development. For more information about the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.
For additional information about this project contact Jeffery Johnson at jdjohnson@cityofsalem.net. For additional information about OWEB and its grant programs, contact Eric Williams at eric.williams@oweb.oregon.gov. A complete list of all awarded grants is available at: https://www.oregon.gov/oweb/Documents/2024-Oct-Board-Awards.pdf
- Share your thoughts on Salem’s land management plan for the Minto Island Conservation Area
- The updated plan will guide the management of the Conservation Areas for the next ten years.
- Learn more and provide comments on the draft Plan at Restoring the Willamette River
Salem, Ore. —The City of Salem is updating the Land Management Plan for the Minto Island Conservation Area (MICA) and seeking the public’s input on the draft plan.
The updated plan aims to reflect current conditions, ongoing restoration projects, and long-term goals while upholding the site’s conservation values outlined in its Conservation Easement and Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program (WWMP) requirements. The revised plan also addresses recreational use, accessibility, and public engagement, ensuring that MICA remains vital to Salem’s regional conservation strategy.
The draft MICA Land Management Plan is now available for public review on the City's website:
City of Salem: Restoring the Willamette River
We invite community members to share their feedback by January 10, 2025. Comments can be submitted through a link provided on the website. Your input is essential in shaping the future of this important conservation area.
Originally adopted in 2015, the plan has balanced guided stewardship, habitat restoration, and public use of this cherished natural area. Over the years, efforts such as invasive species control and native vegetation enhancements have improved the habitat.
To guide this update, the City convened a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) composed of City staff and a diverse group of stakeholders. The committee met five times this fall to provide valuable expertise and perspectives, which have been incorporated into the draft plan.
Visit our website to learn about the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board’s recent $546,530 grant City of Salem: Restoring the Willamette River to restore native vegetation and habitat at Minto Island Conservation Area. The grant will fund work through 2030 to enhance ecological resilience, improve fish and wildlife habitat, and support ongoing conservation efforts in the area.
- Conference focuses on team building and leadership
- The 24 participants represent more than 5 million U.S. residents
Salem, Ore. – Salem Mayor-elect Julie Hoy joined newly elected mayors from across the nation this week at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University’s Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days. Mayor-elect Julie Hoy’s participation was sponsored entirely by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
The 24 participants collectively represent more than 5 million U.S. residents.
“I am proud to represent our community–alongside other newly-elected U.S. mayors from across the country– at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard Program for New Mayors: First 100 Days,” Hoy said. “Through this convening and beyond, our city will benefit from the world-class tools and strategies provided by leading faculty and management experts to build an effective city hall team and deliver for residents in ways that move our community–and our city—forward.”
The program is a collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School. Designed to empower them during their critical transitions and first 100 days in office, the Program for new Mayors equips participants with strategic insights to sharpen their leadership and management skills.
After the two-day convening, the program continues through April in virtual sessions designed to help mayors build and lead effective teams, foster collaboration across departments and sectors, and establish a strong foundation for their administrations during the critical early days in office.
Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University: Founded in 2021 with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance.
Bloomberg Philanthropies: Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health.
The Institute of Politics: The Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School was established in 1966 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy. The Institute’s mission is to unite and engage students, particularly undergraduates, with academics, politicians, activists and policymakers on a non-partisan basis to inspire them to pursue pathways in politics and public service.
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- Dusk and dawn are cougars’ most active time of day
- Parks are closed to the public after dark
Salem, Ore. – A cougar has been sighted in the Minto-Brown Island Park conservation area along the river and there have been other recent unconfirmed reports of cougar sightings in the area. Wildlife experts urge park users to be aware and use caution.
The Minto-Brown reserve is a natural habitat for cougars, where deer and other game are present.
“He is actively using the game trails,” said Matthew Johnston, Salem’s Parks Field Supervisor. City staff are keeping an eye on the situation and consulting with experts at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).
Johnston urged particular caution at dawn and dusk when cougars are most active. The park is closed to the public after dark, which is when a majority of the sightings have occurred.
ODFW recommends taking these precautions to avoid encountering a cougar:
- Be alert: Be especially alert at dawn and dusk when cougars are most active.
- Make noise: Hike in groups and make some noise as you go.
- Keep dogs on a leash: Keep dogs on a leash.
- Carry bear spray: Carry bear spray or an air horn.
If you see a cougar:
- From a distance: Calmly leave the area.
- At close proximity: Stay calm.
- Pick up children: Pick up any small children but do so without bending down or turning your back on the cougar.
- Maintain eye contact: Maintain eye contact with the cougar.
- If a cougar approaches: Stay calm, and slowly back away. Don't run.
- Make yourself bigger: Raise your arms, hold small children, don't bend down.
- If the cougar seems aggressive: Raise your arms to make yourself look larger and clap your hands.
- If a cougar attacks: Fight back with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, tools or any items available.
Cougars are native to Oregon and found throughout the state.
Cougar sightings in Minto Brown can be reported to ODFW’s South Willamette Watershed District office at 541-757-4186 or call 911 if it is an emergency situation.
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Editors: Please note that this copy of the press release contains a corrected link to the Community Report.
Salem, Ore. – The 2024 Community Report highlights the City of Salem’s efforts to boost services for current and future residents, improve our environment, and support the local economy.
The main focus this year is on maintaining infrastructure and services. Since the 2008 recession, and through COVID, funding daily operations has been challenging. Progress has been made on projects approved by voters in the 2022 Community Improvement Bond, which supports needs like fire engines, street upgrades, parks, affordable housing, and shelters.
The City also focused on reducing costs, looking at process and performance auditing. Also in 2024, the Revenue Task Force looked at ideas for how to fund ongoing City operations that rely on the General Fund, including police, fire, library services, parks and recreation, senior services, and support for those in need.
The City also used grant funding for City Council and community priorities, such as:
- McGilchrist Complete Street: $13. 2 million from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT)
- New Pedestrian Connections and other street-related work: $11.7 million from USDOT
- Riverfront Park Playground: $750,000 from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
Community engagement remains a priority, with efforts to improve transparency and trust. City staff are increasing participation through outreach and promotion of volunteer involvement in neighborhood associations and advisory boards. The City’s one-stop Customer Service Center also makes it easier to access services, while online streaming of meetings in Spanish and American Sign Language helps the community understand City processes.
The Community Report covers various initiatives to enhance Salem, such as:
- Community Violence Reduction
- Downtown Revitalization
- Salem in Motion, the update to the Transportation Systems Plan
- Housing Production Strategy
This report plays a key role in the City Council’s annual work plan and budget, providing a glimpse of our achievements this year and our plans for the future. Find more information about Salem projects and plans in the City’s Shaping Salem’s Future web section.
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