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Community planning

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Description:

OSU Extension collaborates with communities to shape sustainable, inclusive plans for growth, land use and development. We offer facilitation, technical guidance and data-informed tools to support locally driven planning efforts.

Increasing the Reach of Integrated Pest Management Through Community Partnerships

This educational content summarizes the community outcomes of three Extension partnerships to increase the use of integrated pest management and pesticide risk reduction practices in Oregon. The insights gained from these partnerships are relevant to many subjects where educators are working with communities to make progress on shared goals.

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Featured Resources

A Community-based Response to Flooding, Jay Gordon (Farmer-to-Farmer Case Study Series)

Active consensus-building, high-quality research partnerships, and the capacity to support these efforts: learn more about dairy farmer Jay Gordon here.

Georgine Yorgey, Chad Kruger, Sonia A. Hall | Sep 2018 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Best Management Practices for Construction of Sand-based Athletic Fields for Football and Soccer

Sand-based, natural turfgrass and synthetic surfaces are the best options for athletic fields in the rainy Pacific Northwest. Compare the benefits and learn the construction component requirements to withstand the range of climatic conditions.

Alec Kowalewski, Gwen K. Stahnke, Tom Cook, Roy Goss | Apr 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Best Management Practices for Maintaining Sand-based, Natural Grass Athletic Fields

This publication recommends specific ways to manage sand-based fields, which will require more frequent fertilization, irrigation, and cultivation for proper maintenance than native soil fields.

Alec Kowalewski, Gwen K. Stahnke, Tom Cook, Roy Goss | Apr 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Tree Protection on Construction and Development Sites

This publication is a guide for protecting, conserving, selecting, maintaining, removing, and replacing trees on development sites in the Pacific Northwest.

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Latest Resources

Oregon by the Numbers

County profiles highlight data for all of Oregon’s 36 counties. From population demographics to data about households experiencing financial hardship to top employment industries, county profile pages give readers an at-a-glance, visual way to learn about their county.

Oct 2025 | Online resource

Rainwater harvesting in tanks or cisterns: Oregon regulations

Learn about Oregon's rainwater harvesting regulations, including required permits and guidelines for compliant rainwater collection and storage in tanks or cisterns for both potable and non-potable uses.

Miranda Gray | Nov 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog Peer reviewed (Orange level)

Native lands interactive world map

Native Land Digital honors the sovereignty of all Indigenous nations, their lands, and their waters. The map is a living document, informed by the contributions of Indigenous communities, Indigenous knowledge holders and their stories. It does not claim to represent official or legal boundaries. We encourage you to connect directly with the Indigenous nations to learn more about their territories and histories. This is an honouring of Indigenous resilience past, present and future.

Nov 2024 | Online resource

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Need Internet Access?

Extension collaborates to help communities learn how low-income households can pay for internet service and connected devices, test their internet speeds and partner to deploy broadband on tribal lands through Broadband Connectivity Outreach.

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Community Planning Resources

  • Department of Energy: The mission of the Energy Department is to ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.
  • U.S. Department of Transportation: Ensure our nation has the safest, most efficient and modern transportation system in the world; that improves the quality of life for all American people and communities, from rural to urban, and increases the productivity and competitiveness of American workers and businesses.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development: HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination, and transform the way HUD does business.
  • Federal Highway Administration: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that supports State and local governments in the design, construction, and maintenance of the Nation’s highway system (Federal Aid Highway Program) and various federally and tribal owned lands (Federal Lands Highway Program).

Latest News

OSU Extension Fire Program fosters place-based partnerships

Regional fire specialists provide wildland fire outreach, education and engagement.

Emily Jane Davis | Aug 2024 | Impact story

Extension helps land nearly $6 million for wildfire resilience in Wasco County

New funding strengthens local capacity, supports hazard reduction and fuels assessment across 80,000 acres.

Henry Carnell | Jul 2, 2024 | News story

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Meet Our Experts

Brooke Biasella
4-H Program Coordinator

Contact me with questions about 4-H programming in Clatsop County

Jennifer Boyle
Assistant Director of Open Campus
Shannon Caplan
OSU Open Campus, Rural Community Explorer Program/Department of Human Development & Family Sciences, Assistant Professor of Practice, SNAP-Ed state team
Dusti Linnell
Family & Community Health
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Ask Extension

Have a question? Ask Extension!

Ask Extension is a way for you to get answers from the Oregon State University Extension Service. We have experts in family and health, community development, food and agriculture, coastal issues, forestry, programs for young people, and gardening.

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How do I join an online Zoom meeting?

Q: I want to take one of your OSU Extension workshops that is offered online. I haven't used Zoom before. How do I connect? Do I need to sign up for Zoom to join the class?

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