County: Jackson
Watershed: Bear Creek
Description: The Willow Wind Riparian and Meadow Restoration Project aims to restore degraded riparian habitat at the Willow Wind Community Learning Center in Ashland, Oregon. Located at the confluence of Paradise Creek and Bear Creek on Ashland School District’s 40-acre property, this project includes the removal of invasive plants and re-establishment of native vegetation up to 75 feet from the stream bank, nearly 2 acres of creek habitat. With the help of hundreds of students, under the professional leadership of Lomakatsi restoration experts, the project will aim to restore the site to a more natural riparian condition with a strong tree canopy and layered understory, shading the creek for anadromous fish, improving water quality and providing a diverse, healthy riparian forest for wildlife habitat. In addition to reducing stream temperatures, the planting will also stabilize banks to reduce erosion and sedimentation, provide beneficial nutrients for aquatic life and create a future source of large wood for fish habitat. The Willow Wind Project expands the restoration footprint of an active 20-year, community-based stewardship effort at Willow Wind. New sections of Paradise Creek and Bear Creek and the adjacent meadow will be restored, continuing the long-term dedicated work of local students, teachers, parents and residents.
Native fish benefited: Juvenile and adult Chinook, summer steelhead, coho, and lamprey