Watershed Restoration Demonstration Updates

The McCarthy Creek Restoration project site at the Native American Rehabilitation Association on Hwy. 30 shows remarkable change. Over 2

NARA NW Volunteer Planting Crew

acres of solid Armenian/Himalayan blackberry, English ivy and morning glory have been removed and 2,400 native plants have replaced them along McCarthy Creek.  NARA NW residents, AmeriCorps and community volunteers have contributed 5 days of hard work (a total of 200 hours!) pulling invasive weeds and installing native plants to make this project a success. This phase of the project was funded through an OWEB Small Grant with additional costs covered by WMSWCD. 

The Multnomah Channel Habitat Connection project, which includes over 60 acres of private riparian land along Miller and Ennis Creek and upland forest is underway. To date, over 30 acres of tree ivy, 15 acres of ground ivy, 10 acres of holly and 10 acres of hawthorn have been treated!  This project is possible because of volunteer work by the three participating landowners, WMSWCD staff planning support, a FISH Grant, and an OWEB Small Grant! 

The Balch Creek Restoration Demonstration takes place on 8 acres of high priority upland watershed property covered by invasive weeds, including English ivy, English holly, and garlic mustard. The weeds were treated and removed and native plants were installed throughout the forest lands early this spring.    WMSWCD staff subsequently saw a large number of native plants spring back to life this season, including western trillium, red-flowering current and false lily-of-the-valley. This is another project made possible by the volunteer work of participating landowners, grants from FISH, OWEB and Metro, and WMSWCD staff planning support.