Who we are
Here at Oak Creek Conservancy, we strive to cultivate a community that values conservation and actively participates in protecting our shared natural spaces. Through education, stewardship, and collaboration, we aim to inspire future generations to cherish and safeguard the wonders of our vital ecosystems near and far.
Founded by William “Si” Simonson, a passionate advocate for nature and community, our organization reflects Si’s vision of facilitating more connections to the land and intentional spaces to gather. As a longtime community member of Corvallis, Si developed a deep appreciation for the local ecosystems and understood that a thriving community is intertwined with a healthy environment.
Si’s commitment to conservation inspires us to cultivate a community that values nature, encourages stewardship, and actively participates in protecting our shared natural spaces. We believe that by bringing people together through educational programs, creative hands-on activities, and locally lead conservation efforts, we can nurture a collective sense of responsibility and pride in our environment.
The Facilities
A multi-purpose structure has been built using the principles and practices of a ‘Passiv Haus,” which is standard in Germany and other European countries, but not yet widely adopted in the US. The structure features extreme energy-efficiency compared to typical construction. It serves as a private residence as well as a venue accessible to the community. A unique feature of the structure is the “Great Room”, a 1,200 sq. ft., high-ceilinged space with large deck and panoramic view. This room is suitable for a variety of events, programs and projects including audio/visual presentations, group meetings, house concerts, and many more.
The structure is essentially air-tight which required strict attention to avoiding volatile organic compounds during the construction phase and it has a state-of-the-art computerized air handling system that removes heat from stale air as it is replaced with filtered fresh air.
The structure’s electrical consumption is supplemented by a 10 KW solar array located in a nearby meadow.
A deer-fenced vineyard of ~0.1 acre with 110 grape vines, mostly Pinot Noir, is adjacent to the structure. No herbicides or non-organic pest control compounds are used in growing the grapes or making wine. A small, deer-fenced garden is located adjacent to the solar array.