Employees of Conservation Alliance members Ruffwear, REI, FootZone and Quick Feat International will gather Tuesday, Oct. 9 in Bend, OR for a day of collective action on the Deschutes River.

 

In an effort to contribute to healthy stream conditions on the Deschutes River, Conservation Alliance volunteers will be working with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council to restore riparian plants to priority riparian areas along the river. Volunteers will be planting native species including cottonwood, water birch, woods’ rose, and dogwood to improve riparian habitat conditions for fish and wildlife. Enhancing and increasing riparian vegetation will also increase stream shading for the benefit of instream conditions.

 

“We’re eager to get our hands dirty restoring habitat on the Deschutes,” said John Sterling, Executive Director of The Conservation Alliance. “Our local member companies always enjoy helping to preserve the wonderful natural places we have in Central Oregon.”

 

The Bend Backyard Collective takes place Tuesday, October 9, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., meeting at Riverbend Park in Bend. The event also features a volunteer fair at which Conservation Alliance grantees and local environmental organizations share information on their current conservation initiatives and share ways for individuals to get involved.

 

“We believe that increasing community awareness and facilitating active participation in stewardship activities is at the heart of our mission,” said Kolleen Yake, Education Director at the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council. “We are committed to engaging community members of all ages in meaningful, hands-on restoration efforts. Volunteers are empowered to be lifelong stream stewards by actually contributing to stream health with their own hands. A community-based restoration project at a site such as Riverbend Park is a great way for volunteers, local recreation businesses, and river users to give back to the river they love!”

 

The Bend, Oregon event is the final Backyard Collective for the year.