Forest Service Prepares for Spring Stream Rehabilitation

Release Date: Feb 28, 2022

Contact(s): Joseph Black

 

LA GRANDE, Ore. (February 23, 2022) – Biology and plants specialists with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest began harvesting cottonwood and willow cuttings at the Clarno Hardwood Production Beds, an outdoor nursery in Clarno, Oregon on February 14, 2022. This project is part of the Wallowa Whitman NF Aquatic Restoration program and efforts of the Headwaters Initiative, which focuses on restoring water quality and aquatic habitats in the upper Grande Ronde River and its tributaries.

The 3.5-acre nursery, managed by the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, provided approximately 20,000 cuttings for use in restoration projects, according to Joe Platz, a biology technician with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

"The cuttings will be used in riparian areas to increase stream shade and floodplain connectivity, decrease stream temperatures, and encourage beaver population growth," said Platz.

Beavers serve as nature's little engineers with their abilities to create complex water systems that help to store water and provide refuge areas for juvenile fish.

"Beavers enjoy eating cottonwood, willow, and aspen trees, so by increasing food availability near streams, we encourage the return of this species to our waterways," said Platz.

The next phase of this project includes planting the harvested cuttings in the upper Grande Ronde area. This work is scheduled to begin in April when the ground thaws from winter.

Platz explains that the process will begin with soaking the cuttings in water to encourage better rooting for cuttings before they are planted across a range of restoration projects this field season.

For more information about the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman.