JOIN NNWC'S STREAMSIDE PLANTING PROGRAM AND HELP RESTORE LOCAL WATERSHEDS

Do you own property along a creek, stream or river in South Tillamook County and want to improve its value?

Do you want to improve the health of the Nestucca and Neskowin Watersheds?

Do you want to finally get something for free in this world?

Answer "Yes!" to all three questions and you are an excellent candidate for NNWC's Streamside Planting Program.

It works like this: A representative from NNWC visits your property and together you come up with a restoration plan. In the deal you get: free trees and shrubs, free labor to plant them, free follow-up labor in the following years to maintain the trees, free fencing and off stream watering equipment if livestock access is an issue, and the freedom to choose what native plants you prefer. What the watersheds get in the long run is less erosion and shaded, cooler water that improves water quality and habitat for fish.

In 2002, the program began with ten landowners.  Approximately 4500 trees and shrubs went into riparian areas in need of restoration. In 2003 the program expanded. Twenty-one landowners came on board and NNWC coordinated volunteers and contract labor to plant over 8,000 shrubs, trees and willows.

History of Funded Streamside Planting and Maintenance by NNWC

Year           Acres               Stream Miles                # of Landowners          # of Plants

2002          13                                2.2                               10                    2700

2003          40                                7.0                               21                    8400

2004          19                                2.5                               22                    3200

2005          18                                2.8                               11                    3700

2006          22                                5.2                               13                    6000

2007          11                                2.2                               10                    2440      

The program is funded by grants awarded by Oregon DEQ, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the Tillamook Estuaries Partnership. In past years NNWC has spent close to $75,000 in its restoration efforts, all on private land, with most funds spent on local people and businesses to pay for labor, bus transportation, equipment and plant materials.

For more information or to set up a meeting, call NNWC Council Coordinator Alex Sifford at 503-392-6134 or e-mail at nnwc@oregoncoast.com

A stretch of Neskowin Creek on private land with ideal riparian conditions

that serves as a model for the Streamside Planting Program.