Families and fungi fans gathered at Beazell Memorial Forest on Sunday, Nov. 9, for Mushroom Day 2025, an event that celebrates finding, identifying and cooking mushrooms. 

The annual event, hosted by Corvallis Parks and Recreation, brought together partners from Benton County, Oregon State University, the Corvallis Environmental Center and The Mushroomery. Visitors explored mushroom identification, cooking demonstrations, forest walks, crafts and family-friendly activities at the Beazell Memorial Forest Education Center. 

“Mushroom Day is a great way to celebrate the season and discover the hidden life of our forests,” said Jesse Ott, director of Benton County Natural Areas, Parks and Events. “Beazell Memorial Forest is a really special place. We learn together here, from looking at mushrooms under a microscope to going on hikes and getting people familiar with what to look for and how to enjoy fall mushrooming.” 

Ott said the Beazell Education Center is a unique part of Benton County’s natural spaces. The timber used to build it was harvested and refurbished from the same site.  

“We offer educational events, weddings, parties and conferences here,” he said. “It’s a really unique spot.” 

Lacey Moore, recreation coordinator for environmental health, education and creative programs with Corvallis Parks and Recreation, said this year marked the sixth annual Mushroom Day. 

“It started during the pandemic. People in Oregon love mushrooms, and we love mushrooms, so we made it an annual thing,” said Moore. “Now we have more partners like The Mushroomery, Oregon State and Benton County. I love this day. It’s a fun event, people are stoked to be out in the forest looking at mushrooms, and we’ve tried to make it more family friendly as time goes on. Now we have some mini-mycologists.” 

Joey Spatafora, department head of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University and a mycologist, said the event is one of OSU’s most important outreach efforts each year. 

“A big part of what we do at the university is outreach, and this is one of our major outreach programs of the year with respect to mycology,” Spatafora said. “I have a number of students here participating, and we just really enjoy interacting with the public, especially kids, getting them excited about fungi and mycology.” 

Vendors and educators also shared their passion for mushrooms.  

Jennifer Macome, owner of The Mushroomery, said she enjoys connecting with the community. 

“I love supporting local events, especially educational ones,” said Macome. “We’re bringing the public in, getting them excited about mushrooms, taking them for walks in the woods, and showing them different wild mushrooms.” 

At the Corvallis Environmental Center activity table, Evelia Verburg, nature programs and camp coordinator, said she loves helping kids get hands-on with learning. 

“This is my second year coming to Mushroom Day, and I enjoy helping kids learn about mushrooms with fun activities like the one we have here today,” Verburg said. 

Community members also came to learn. Danielle Silver, a Corvallis resident, said the event was a great way to start her foraging journey. 

“I am a beginner forager, still learning how to identify mushrooms,” said Silver. “I just want to learn more.” 

Organizers said this year’s event was another example of strong community collaboration.  

“This event is a lot of teamwork,” Ott said. “We all just come together and make it happen.” 

As mushroom hunting continues this fall, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office does remind everyone to be prepared before heading outdoors. The American Hiking Society recommends carrying ten essential items to help ensure your safety on the trail. Learn more about the essentials: https://americanhiking.org/resources/10essentials/ 

Mushroom Day was sponsored by Oregon State University, The Mushroomery, Corvallis Environmental Center, Benton County and Corvallis Parks and Recreation. 

View downloadable photos from the event on the Benton County Flickr page. 

Benton County will honor local veterans during a Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 10, at the Kalapuya Building in Corvallis. The event will include the reading of a Veterans Day proclamation during the Board of Commissioners meeting followed by remarks by County leaders and special guests honoring veterans for their service and sacrifice.

Benton County will also receive two national awards from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR):

• County Administrator Rachel McEneny will receive the Patriot Award for her outstanding support of a recently deployed employee who serves in the Oregon National Guard.
• Board Chair Nancy Wyse will accept the Seven Seals Award on behalf of Benton County, recognizing the County’s strong commitment to service members and their families.

Event Details

When: 9 – 9:30 a.m. – Board of Commissioners Meeting, Proclamation Reading, Award Presentation

Where: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis

Who:

• Benton County Board of Commissioners
• COL Paul Dyer, Commander, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon National Guard
• Mark Lapinskas, Benton County Lead Veterans Service Officer
• Cecil Owens, ESGR State Chair
• Kenzie Singiser, OSU Music Program, National Anthem

Benton County has a history of supporting military veterans and families, including many who are part of the County’s workforce. The Board of Commissioners continues this tradition each year by recognizing Veterans Day and Military Appreciation Month in Benton County.

“From the support I received from our Finance Department, Human Resources, and County Commissioners and Administrator before I left, to the send-off my coworkers organized, I always felt cared for,” said Cory Grogan, Benton County Public Information Officer and Oregon National Guard member who returned in September from a year-long deployment in Kosovo. “Knowing my job was secure while I was away allowed me to focus fully on my mission and serve more effectively. Benton County truly shows what it means to value service and stand behind those who serve.”

In 2023, the County hosted a Veterans Day gathering and proclamation reading at the Kalapuya Building to honor employees who served in the Armed Forces. Watch the video from that event here: Veterans Day 2023 — Benton County, Oregon.

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Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

The Benton County Board of Commissioners has approved a grant of up to $100,000 to the Corvallis School District to support planned improvements to the Osborn Aquatic Center.

The City of Corvallis and Corvallis School District jointly operate and maintain the Osborn Aquatic Center, which serves as both a community recreation hub and a regional training and competition facility for students and swim teams. Swim meets and public programs hosted there contribute to local tourism and economic activity.

Providing financial support for a swimming pool is an unprecedented decision for Benton County leaders, but the Board of Commissioners recognizes how much recreation, youth development, training opportunities and tourism revenues have already been affected since Osborn closed in October 2024.

“Osborn Aquatic Center plays an important role in our community’s health and economy,” said Board Chair Nancy Wyse. “From hosting swim meets that draw visitors to supporting recreation opportunities for families, it’s a facility that benefits the entire County. This grant recognizes its value while being mindful of future funding needs.”

Wyse cited sizable budget cuts and the Board’s efforts to maintain current service levels across the County as funding sources are cut. “Even so, I’m proud that we were able to figure out a way to make a meaningful contribution to a project that benefits so many people across our community.”

County Administrator Rachel McEneny echoed the desire to support the aquatic center despite the challenges facing counties. “County governments in Oregon and across the country are facing draconian budget cuts that threaten basic public services our communities rely on, including rural health, mental health, veterans’ services and public safety. These services extend well beyond city limits.”

“While some fiscal realities of cities, school districts and counties are different, we share the same community,” McEneny continued. “Investing very constrained county resources shows that even in tight budget times, Benton County is committed to supporting partnerships that benefit our communities.”

The Benton County Assessor’s Office has released 2025 property tax statements. Property owners can now access certified property values and 2025 tax statements on the County Assessor’s website at https://apps.benton-or.helioncloud.com/PSO/.

Tax statements will be mailed or emailed no later than Oct. 24, 2025.

Business owners who submitted a return electronically through eNoticesonline.com and did not opt out of receiving their Real Property or Business Personal Property statement electronically should check the email account associated with the registered account to find their tax statement. Business Personal Property accounts under the cancellation threshold of $23,000 will not receive a tax statement for the business.  

Important payment information

1. Payments for property taxesmust be postmarked by Nov. 17, 2025.
2. Property owners who choose to pay their taxes in full by Nov. 17 will receive a 3% discount.
3. Alternatively, taxpayers have the option to spread their payments over several installments,but the 3% discount will not apply. The first installment, equal to one-third of the total amount due, is payable on Dec. 16, followed by subsequent one-third payments on Feb. 17 and May 15, 2026.
4. Interest will be charged on any late installment payment as per ORS 311.505.Payments made after Nov. 17 will start accruing interest on Dec. 16.

Payment methods

Taxpayers have multiple convenient methods to make payments:

1. Deposit payments at the drop box in the parking lot of the Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis.
2. Visit the County Tax Office on the first floor of the Kalapuya Building.
3. Send payments through postal mail to the Benton County Tax Office, P.O. Box 964, Corvallis, OR 97339. Payments must be postmarked by Nov. 17 to be considered timely. The payment coupon should be included.
4. Make payments at Oregon State Credit Union branches within Benton County or at the Umpqua Bank in Monroe. Bring the payment coupon when making payments at these financial institutions.This payment option is only available through Nov. 17, 2025.
5. Make online payments by following the steps to pay by credit card, debit card or electronic check.
6. Pay by phone at 1-866-898-2918.

Inquiries for more information regarding tax statements, payment options or related tax matters should be directed to the Benton County Tax Office at 541-766-6808 or financeinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

For valuation questions, contact the Benton County Assessment Department at 541-766-6855 or assessmentinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

The Benton County Agriculture and Wildlife Protection Program (AWPP) is now open for general applications. The AWPP is a grant program for farmers that promotes agriculture and wildlife co-existence by funding non-lethal wildlife deterrents to prevent losses to livestock, crops and property.

Agricultural operations of all sizes may apply for up to $5,000 in reimbursement funds for the purchase of non-lethal wildlife deterrents which may include standard or electric fencing, sound or light scare devices, fladry or flagging, protective animal housing, livestock guardian animals and other approved options.

Property owners experiencing conflicts with beavers, such as tree damage or flooding, can also apply year-round to purchase deterrents to protect trees and crops or prevent flooding.

The AWPP also provides information and resources to farmers regarding non-lethal wildlife deterrence and can help guide interested citizens in creating successful deterrent plans. Grant applications may be downloaded from the AWPP website and submitted Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. Grant awards will be announced in early January and successful applicants will have until April 30, 2026, to install their projects and request reimbursement after an on-site visit by Benton County staff.

Since 2017, AWPP has provided 37 awards totaling $136,539 to Benton County farmers for the purchase of wildlife-friendly deterrents. Awards are made based upon the applicant’s philosophy of animal damage control, quality of application and likely effectiveness of the proposed non-lethal deterrents project plan. Successful applicants must provide a 10% funding match with labor or materials purchases. The AWPP does not fund deterrents for deer or elk.

Learn more about the AWPP, apply and find more information about the program at pw.bentoncountyor.gov/awpp.