A new fiscal sponsorship relationship between the Foundation and the 4-County Cooperative Weed Management Area supports collaborative invasive plant management across the Portland metropolitan region.
Invasive plants don't recognize county lines, making regional cooperation essential to protecting Oregon and Southwest Washington's natural landscapes. Through a new fiscal sponsorship arrangement between Oregon Wildlife Foundation (OWF) and the 4-County CWMA, a dedicated Coordinator position has been created, increasing the CWMA’s ability to coordinate invasive plant management efforts across the region.
The partnership also marks an exciting chapter for the CWMA as it welcomes Rayna Koberstein into that coordinator position. Rayna brings a diverse background in environmental science, research, education, and nonprofit coordination into her role with the CWMA.
“We are pleased to welcome Rayna to our team at Oregon Wildlife Foundation. Her education and experience are an excellent match for the needs of the CWMA. She will make a real and immediate impact as their coordinator,” said Tim Greseth, Executive Director.
Working Together to Protect Native Ecosystems
The 4-County CWMA is a partnership of agencies and organizations working collaboratively to manage invasive plant species across Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah, and Washington counties in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Invasive plants pose significant challenges to the region's ecosystems. They can outcompete native vegetation, reduce wildlife habitat, degrade water quality, and increase erosion and wildfire risk. Their impact extends to agriculture, public health, and local economies.
Because invasive plants don’t recognize property lines or political boundaries, successful management requires cooperation among land managers, government agencies, conservation organizations, and community members.
The CWMA provides a framework for this collaboration by helping partners share information, coordinate management strategies, identify and prioritize invasive species, and pool resources. Its efforts emphasize prevention, early detection, and coordinated responses to emerging invasions.
The organization also supports education and professional collaboration through activities including an annual symposium called “Pull Together”, field days, technical committees, and invasive plant management resources.
Meet Rayna Koberstein, 4-County CWMA Coordinator
As the CWMA's new coordinator, Rayna Koberstein brings scientific expertise and organizational experience to a role centered on building partnerships and supporting conservation across the four-county region.
"I coordinate the CWMA's partnerships, projects, events, and outreach efforts across the four-county region," Koberstein explains. "My role also includes supporting the steering committee and technical committees, coordinating administrative and financial activities with OWF, and helping develop funding opportunities to sustain and expand the CWMA's work."
Koberstein holds a master's degree in biology from Portland State University, where her research focused on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and how plants respond to environmental stress.
Her professional background includes ecological research, environmental monitoring, regulatory compliance, community and university-level science education, and nonprofit coordination. Her career also includes an unexpected chapter - before transitioning into environmental science, Koberstein trained at Le Cordon Bleu and spent 15 years working as a fine-dining chef.
In her newest role, she’ll draw on her multidisciplinary experience to support regional partnerships, strengthen organizational operations, and advance collaborative conservation efforts.
A New Partnership with Oregon Wildlife Foundation
As the CWMA's single-member LLC sponsor (SMLLC), Oregon Wildlife Foundation provides comprehensive support to the organization.
“Through the SMLLC model of fiscal sponsorship, Rayna is a full-fledged member of the Oregon Wildlife Foundation team, except that her work focuses on the goals and objectives of the CWMA. The promise of this partnership is opportunities to work collaboratively on projects in the near future,” said Tim Greseth, Executive Director of the Foundation.
Through this partnership, OWF supports the behind-the-scenes operations that make coordinated conservation possible, allowing the CWMA and its partners to focus on addressing invasive plant challenges throughout the region.
"The partnership with OWF provides dedicated administrative and financial support that will help the CWMA strengthen its operations and focus more resources on collaborative invasive plant management," Koberstein says. "It also creates opportunities to expand outreach, develop new funding sources, and support long-term regional coordination."
Supporting Conservation Through Collaboration
Protecting native plants, wildlife habitat, and healthy ecosystems requires a long-term commitment and cooperation. By connecting organizations, sharing technical expertise, and coordinating regional responses, the 4-County CWMA plays an important role in helping communities address invasive plant challenges.
With Koberstein's leadership and OWF's support, the CWMA is better positioned to strengthen partnerships, expand educational opportunities, and support more effective invasive plant management across Oregon and Southwest Washington.
Oregon Wildlife Foundation is pleased to welcome the 4-County CWMA as a SMLLC partner and looks forward to supporting its important work.
Visit 4countycwma.org to explore invasive plant resources, learn about upcoming events, and discover ways to get involved in protecting our region's natural landscapes.
