On Thursday, September 13, volunteers from Conservation Alliance member companies Ruffwear, REI Bend, FootZone, and Quick Feat International will gather in Sisters for a day of collective action on Whychus Creek.
In an effort to contribute to healthy stream conditions in Whychus Creek, Conservation Alliance volunteers will be working with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council to re-vegetate degraded riparian areas along the creek. 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 Whychus Creek,” 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 Thursday, September 13, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. 1:30 p.m., meeting at Village Green Park in Sisters. 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.”
The Bend, Oregon event is the seventh Backyard Collective for the year. The eighth and final event of 2012 will take place in Peterborough, N.H. on September 18.
For more information about this event please contact coordinator, Cassondra Schindler at cassondra@conservationalliance.com or 541.222.9380
