Luckiamute State Natural Enhancement Area
Council works with partners to restore Willamette River conditions
The Luckiamute State Natural Area is a project of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Luckiamute Watershed Council, with funding and technical support from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) and Meyer Memorial Trust under the Willamette Special Investments Partnership (SIP) program.The Council made substantial progress toward improving site conditions and building community support around the LSNA. The primary challenge has been to reduce invasive weeds, replant with native shrubs and then keep those native plants alive until they can survive on their own. All of this must be done within the available budget. Most of the 83-acre area currently under intensive management was planted previously under CREP, but due to the lack of shade, much of the cleared area become a weed dominated thicket of Himalayan blackberry, river tansy, common teasel and a host of common agricultural weeds. While many trees are now growing and healthy within the planted area, native shrubs are largely absent. The Council and its partners, some of whom are listed above, are hoping to change that.
The Luckiamute State Natural Area is a project of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Luckiamute Watershed Council, with funding and technical support from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) and Meyer Memorial Trust under the Willamette Special Investments Partnership (SIP) program.The Council made substantial progress toward improving site conditions and building community support around the LSNA. The primary challenge has been to reduce invasive weeds, replant with native shrubs and then keep those native plants alive until they can survive on their own. All of this must be done within the available budget. Most of the 83-acre area currently under intensive management was planted previously under CREP, but due to the lack of shade, much of the cleared area become a weed dominated thicket of Himalayan blackberry, river tansy, common teasel and a host of common agricultural weeds. While many trees are now growing and healthy within the planted area, native shrubs are largely absent. The Council and its partners, some of whom are listed above, are hoping to change that.
photo courtesy David Bassett
Willamette Valley residents tour LSNA
Tours beginning in 2010 attracted dozens of people interested in restoration efforts at the LSNA. Watch for further tours sponsored by the LWC and OPRD.
More Information About Visiting the LSNA
A February 2013 write-up at parkvisitor.com highlights the LSNA and gives great information about visiting (both by car or by boat) and hiking in the park.
.
Work Continues at LSNA
Blackberry cutting.
_Since late 2010 work at the LSNA has focused on replacing weeds with native plants. Opportunities for volunteers at the LSNA and other projects in the watershed are available at the "Get Involved" link here or on the button to the left.
photo courtesy David Bassett
Mowed reed canary grass prior to planting.
Farmers' Fields Foster Fish! Watch this great video from OPB.
