Parrott Creek Restoration Day- Willow planting and invasives removal

Bark is partnering with the Cultural Ecology Program at Parrott Creek to restore an 80-acre site in Clackamas County. The site is connected to Mt. Hood National Forest biologically, hydrologically and culturally.

Parrott Creek’s Cultural Ecology Project focuses on restoring an 80-acre site to be a space where Indigenous people can safely gather natural resources such as foods, medicines, and weaving materials while connecting with the land and their communities and traditions. In addition to restoration field days, they hold community workshops on topics such as cedar pulling for basketry and regalia; cattail, hazel and vine maple harvesting; lamprey and beaver surveys, and more. Given that many Indigenous peoples can’t easily access these sorts of natural and cultural resources in places like the lands now known as Mt. Hood National Forest, this project provides urban Natives with culturally appropriate access and education in Indigenous Traditional Knowledge that ensures their cultures’ wisdom can be actively practiced and passed down for generations to come.

Planting willows is one of the restoration activities that Bark conducts on an annual basis in Mt. Hood National Forest. Willows are a primary food source for beavers and other animals. By ensuring adequate food in wetland areas, we can encourage beavers to return to unpopulated wetlands and/or uplift habitat for potential beaver reintroduction in future years.

Time: 10am-1pm

Location: MEET AT 9:45am at 1001 Molalla Avenue #209, Oregon City, OR 97045. We will carpool from there to the site.

Bring: All-weather gear, long pants, sturdy shoes (knee-high rubber boots strongly recommended but hiking boots ok), rain gear, sunglasses, water, snacks (some snacks provided). If you need to borrow rubber boots, indicate what size on the registration form.

Weather forecast: NOAA Weather Oregon City. We will cancel the event if the weather is expected to be below 37 degrees and/or very rainy.

Accessibility: Event will happen rain or shine! However, if there is heavy rain and/or temperatures are below 37 degrees, we will postpone or cancel the day.

This event will be focused on planting willows! Work will entail bending, squatting, digging, avoiding thorny plants, and carrying materials. Each site will require walking/standing on steep hills which may be slippery and/or require crossing a small stream on a flat log.

Questions?  Need to carpool? Email [email protected]