NEW Ash Creek Restoration and Community Engagement Efforts!Ash Creek has seen many changes over the years, yet it still holds a special place in our local landscape. Though its course has been shaped by humans, this waterway and its surrounding floodplain continue to play vital ecological roles. From storing floodwaters to providing essential habitats for fish and wildlife, Ash Creek remains a lifeline in our natural environment. The Luckiamute Watershed Council is working closely with the cities of Monmouth, Independence, Dallas and Falls City, along with local landowners, agencies and community partners, to restore the health of this treasured tributary to the Willamette River. Together, we are improving water quality, restoring streamside areas with native plants, and addressing invasive species. These efforts go beyond planting and habitat restoration—they are fostering a sense of shared stewardship among neighbors and organizations. By uniting communities in these efforts, we are ensuring that the health and vitality of Ash Creek are preserved for generations to come.
Click on the brochure image to the right to learn more about this partnership!
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On a chilly Saturday morning in January, a group of 23 community members convened on an Ash Creek restoration site near the Monmouth Public Works treatment lagoons to plant trees and shrubs, and protect them from hungry deer.
That day, 200 native plants were added to the riparian (streamside) area and protected with chicken wire cages. Thanks to the hard work of these volunteers, these trees will grow to provide enhanced shade for Ash Creek, better habitat for local wildlife, and sequester an additional 10,000 pounds (5 tons) of carbon every year! |
Want to get involved in this effort?
Click here to join our volunteer email list! |
Ongoing Ash Creek Restoration Efforts by the LWC |
The Revegetation Reach (1.4 miles) stretches from Monmouth Public Works at Hogan Road to Wildfang Park, with an additional section at Riverview Park in Independence. The stream bank along this section of Ash Creek has been significantly degraded, with many areas having almost no native vegetation. Along this section of the creek, we will be both controlling invasive species and planting native trees and shrubs within the riparian zone. Streamside trees and vegetation are important because they provide natural protection against flood damage and bank erosion, trap sediment that would otherwise wash into the waterway, and provide important shade.
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The Stewardship Reach (1.4 miles) extends from Wildfang Park in Independence to Riverview Park, and has been identified as a portion of Ash Creek that has a fairly healthy vegetated riparian area. Along this stretch of the creek, we will be focusing our efforts on removing high-priority invasive weeds within the riparian area. Some of the invasive species identified along Ash Creek are English ivy, holly, scotch broom, poison hemlock, and vinca. If you suspect that you may have one or more of these species on your property, don't hesitate to give us a call at 503-837-0237 or email us at [email protected] to find out how to remove these invasive plants and learn about some excellent native plant varieties to replace them.
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