Join the Sandy River Basin Watershed Council to learn how you can become a part of the watershed-wide restoration effort in the basin that is home to wild salmon, Portland’s water supply, and some of the region’s most extraordinary rivers from Timberline to Troutdale. Morning workshops will help landowners to learn what they can do to improve water quality and habitat, and what agencies and organizations can help them do it. Afternoon Streams of Dreams tours offer diverse field explorations that highlight current conditions and restoration activities in the Sandy River basin

To pre-register for workshops and tours,
please call: 503-622-9134

Agenda

8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday April 7, 2012
Sandy High School

8:30 am -1:00 pm Expo open
9:00 -10:15 am Workshops
11:00 am-12:15 pm Workshops
1:00 pm – 5:30 pm (varies) Tours

STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOPS 

Workshops each will repeat at 9:00-10:15 and 11:00-12:15       

Restorative Flood Response
Protecting Habitat, Homeowners and Infrastructure 

River experts will explore why the river behaves the way it does, what are the habitat needs of salmon, and which types of potential riverside projects may reduce the risk to homes and infrastructure while also expanding habitat for salmon. Discussions will seek residents’ input on possible streambank and floodplain restoration projects that the Council can help to explore in future reviews, including field visits.

Workshop speakers:
Steve Hanschka, Clackamas County Dept. of Transportation & Development
Jay Wilson, Clackamas County Emergency Management Coordinator
Josh Epstein, Inter-Fluve Inc. (invited)
Jenna Scholz, Cardno-Entrix (invited) 

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Kill this, Plant that:
How to Eliminate Weeds and Plant Native Species

Nonnative, invasive plants can be a maintenance headache for landowners as they take over parts of your property. Learn how to identify some of the new, and not so new, invaders so that you can stop them before they become as widespread as blackberries. You’ll also find out which native shrubs and trees you can plant for fall color, wildlife habitat and to stabilize eroding stream banks. Be ready for spring and to help your native plants thrive.

Workshop speakers:
Russ Plaeger, Land Stewardship Coordinator, Sandy River Basin Watershed council
David Lebo, Mt. Hood National Forest

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Fish on Ice:  Climate, Glaciers and Habitat in a Changing World

Climate change will affect precipitation patterns, storm intensity, habitat, glacial events and water supply on Mt. Hood. This workshop brings together a regional climate and habitat expert and Sandy High School students who participated in research on glaciers to help us understand the interplay between climate change and restoration and watershed protection.

Workshop speakers:
Gordon Reeves  has worked as a research fish biologist with the Aquatic and Land Interaction Program of the USDA Forest Service, PNW Research Station in Corvallis, OR since 1984, and is a courtesy Professor at Oregon State University and Humboldt State University.
Sandy High School Students joined a recent field research project on Mt. Ranier exploring glacial retreat in the face of climate change, and will share their results.

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Show Me the Money!
Grants and Other Financial Help to Improve Your Property

River restoration pays long-term dividends, for both landowners and fish, but making that initial investment can prove challenging. A range of landowner assistance programs can help you enhance and preserve natural resources while meeting your own goals for your land.

The expert panel for this class will discuss grants, conservation easements, and other funding opportunities for stewardship practices and habitat improvement projects along stream banks, forests, and wetlands.  Come find out which programs could pay thousands of dollars toward the improvement of your property.

Workshop speakers:
Eann Rains is the Conservation Investments Coordinator at the Clackamas County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Jenne Reische is a  Riparian Specialist for Clackamas County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Cindy Kolomechuk is with the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Steve Kucas, Sr. Environmental Program Manager, Portland Water Bureau. Steve manages the implementation of the bureau’s Bull Run Water Supply Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). This plan provides direction to the bureau to work with private landowners in the Sandy River basin to restore fish habitat.

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STREAM OF DREAMS AFTERNOON FIELD TOURS
(Space is limited; pre-registration advised by calling 503-622-9134) 

1:00-4:00 pm Glacial Process in the Sandy

This tour will explore the glacial landscape of Mt. Hood through a visit to Old Maid Flats, an active area in the upper Sandy basin that shows the effect of historic lahars and recent channel migration related to Mt. Hood’s glaciers. Depending on conditions, this tour may require snow shoes or skis, and will travel up to 3 miles in wilderness conditions.

1:00-3:00 pm Restoration in Your Backyard

Jason Dumont of The Nature Conservancy will guide a group to the creekside along the Sandy High School to view the restoration efforts of that organization in Sandy Park, a recently protected open space on the Sandy River adjacent Sandy High School.

1:00-4:30 Bull Run Water Supply Facilities Tour

Climb aboard the Portland Water Bureau’s bus and tour the City’s water supply facilities inside the Bull Run watershed. Tour participants will also learn about the salmon restoration work the bureau is conducting both in and outside the watershed. The tour will leave the Sandy High School at 1:00 pm and return there at approximately 4:30 pm. Dress for the weather and bring your own snacks and water. In the interest of water system security, all tour participants will be asked to provide identification information and sign a waiver. Tour is limited to 25 people and pre-registration is encouraged. The tour will be conducted by Jody Burlin, the bureau’s Natural Resource Educator, and Terry Black, Sandy River Basin Community Information Representative.

1:00-5:30 Sandy River Float Trip

Float a portion of the Sandy River and get a fish-eye’s view of the habitat restoration opportunities along the river. Sandy River Basin Watershed Council Executive Director Steve Wise will lead the trip with professional guide Sam Drevo of eNRG Kayaking. The float will stop along the way to learn about the Sandy River’s form, flow, and salmon habitat.

This trip is open to 16 people and will be returning to Sandy H.S. around 5:30 p.m. NOTE: There is a $10.00 fee for this trip and all gear will be provided. Must be 18 and older, or be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

1:00-3:30 Restoring Habitat on Private Land:
               A Win – Win for people and salmon

Visit a side channel of the Salmon River where an ongoing restoration project saw more than 40 wild coho return in 2011. Find out how cooperative projects on private land can benefit the homeowners and improve habitat for fish and wildlife. The work completed last summer brought wild fish back to a channel cut off by historic alterations. Learn how to identify some common, native plants and how to plant willow cuttings to stabilize streambanks. Find out how large logs create pools and instream habitat for salmon.

Dress for the weather and wear boots for walking on uneven ground. Drive to the site in Welches in private vehicles. A map with directions will be provided to group members at Sandy High School. Tour will end at 3:30 pm.

Russ Plaeger, Land Stewardship Coordinator for the watershed council, will lead the tour. Russ led outreach to engage landowners on this side channel and is managing the control of invasive plants as well as native plantings to improve water quality.