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Marys River Watershed Council

Inspiring and supporting voluntary stewardship of Marys River Watershed

Inspiring and supporting
voluntary stewardship of
Marys River Watershed
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Archives for October 2019

Dunawi Creek Wetland Planting

October 28, 2019

 

Volunteers planted over 1,100 wetland native species on Oct. 26th at Dunawi Creek wetland.

 

On a chilly, but bright autumn afternoon on October 26th, volunteers from across Benton County came to the Dunawi Creek wetland area at Starker Arts Pond to help rehabilitate this wetland habitat by planting native plants.

The event exceeded expectations with over 80 volunteers turning out and finishing the work in only two hours! Over 1,100 native species were planted, including rush, sedge, camas, snowberry, red flowering currant, blue elderberry, and milkweed (a critical food source for Monarch butterflies).

The event was sponsored by the Marys River Watershed Council, the City of Corvallis, and the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Water Action Team. Many thanks to all the volunteers, including from groups like the Corvallis Odd Fellows, the Oregon State University soil science class, and the Oregon State University Environmental Sciences Club, among others. Thank you for your hard work! 

For more information, check out the Gazette Times article about the event!

The site before the planting began.
Volunteer, Cody Holliday, plants a small shrub.
About 85 volunteers turned out for the event. Education and Restoration Project Manager, Kathleen Westly, directs volunteers.
AmeriCorps VISTA, Niki, uses a dibble.
Volunteers use tools and hands to plant.
Plants in the wetland help store nitrogen and phosphorous from fowl feces in the soil instead of letting it be washed away in the water.

Filed Under: News

The Great Willamette Clean Up 2019

October 15, 2019

Thanks to all the volunteers who joined for the Great Willamette Clean Up!

 

Community members took the health of the Willamette River into their own hands on Saturday, October 5th as they cleared trash and debris from the river as part of Willamette Riverkeeper’s annual Great Willamette Clean Up.

Marys River Watershed Council partnered with Greenbelt Land Trust to host volunteers at the confluence of the Marys and Willamette at the Corvallis BMX Park, the downtown waterfront, and Pioneer Park.

Our hard working crews, including teams from Hollingsworth & Vose and OSU Hydrophiles, removed 95 bags of trash, large furniture, tires, and other debris.

Thanks to Willamette Riverkeeper, Corvallis Parks and Recreation, and Corvallis Public Works for making this river-wide and city-wide initiative possible, and thanks to Mazama Brewing at Big River and 101 Eat & Drink for hosting the amazing after party!

Great Willamette Clean Up Photo 1
Great Willamette Clean Up Photo 2
Great Willamette Clean Up Photo 3
Great Willamette Clean Up Photo 4
Great Willamette Clean Up Photo 5
Great Willamette Clean Up Photo 6
Great Willamette Clean Up Photo 7
Great Willamette Clean Up Photo 8
Great Willamette Clean Up Photo 9

Filed Under: News

Oregon Master Naturalist Conference: Marys River Watershed Tour

October 15, 2019

Master Naturalists from Oregon toured the Marys River Watershed on October 4th.

 

“My favorite part of the tour was witnessing the many examples of recovering biodiversity.” –Rebecca Lexa, Oregon Master Naturalist

On Friday, October 4th, Master Naturalists from across Oregon came together at the Oregon State University campus for the 2019 Oregon Master Naturalist Statewide Conference. The Marys River Watershed Council was one of several groups to lead special field trips about environmental topics in the area.

The tour group included Master Naturalists as well as local landowners and Jeff Hollenbeck, the new City of Corvallis Watershed Specialist. Kathleen Westly, MRWC’s Education and Restoration Project Manager led the tour, which covered the recent work of the Council in the watershed.

The tour began in the Rock Creek Watershed to examine the watershed enhancement work that MRWC has done, including fish passage barrier removals, riparian plantings, and large woody debris placements. Participants were able to visit the drinking water reservoir managed by the City of Corvallis and tour the Shiver River LLC property, which was recently honored as Benton County’s Tree Farm of the Year.

The tour ended at Tyee Wine Cellars, the site of a large wetland habitat restoration conservation easement at the confluence of Beaver and Muddy Creeks. Participants also tasted some of the Certified Salmon Safe wine!

There was a wide variety of discussions, ranging from the decrease in beaver presence to forest management practices to toxic algae concerns, as well as opportunities for species identification. One group was particularly excited by the sighting of a lobster mushroom!

Diana Blakney, one of the owners of Shiver River, noted her appreciation for the lively discussions: “It’s not only that the instruction is great, it’s [the tour] is also great for the sharing of knowledge between participants. It’s as much about the participants as it is the instructors.”

 

Participants view the fish passage on Rock Creek.
The renovated fish passage on Rock Creek was a 2008 project by MRWC.
Proper footwear was required as participants hiked through woods and forded a small stream.
Kathleen describes some of the challenges facing the reservoir.
Kathleen Westly, Education and Restoration Project Manager
Participants view one of the sites along Rock Creek where Alder was removed in order to plant a more diverse range of plants.
Diana Blakney, owner of Shiver River LLC, discusses some of their forest management practices.
The tour included a stop at Shiver River LLC.
Participants ford a small stream on Shiver River LLC property.
A Master Naturalist enjoys wine from Tyee under a 150-year-old apple tree.
The owner of Tyee Wine Cellars explains some of their habitat enhancement work at the winery.
A Master Naturalist enjoys a quick swing at Tyee Wine Cellars.
Participants walk along one of the trails at Tyee Wine Cellars.

Filed Under: News

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Marys River Watershed Council

101 SW Western Blvd, Suite 105
Corvallis, OR 97333

PO Box 1041
Corvallis, OR 97339-1041

(541) 758-7597

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