South Umpqua Rural Community Partnership

Jackson Tributaries Restoration project, Whole Watershed Restoration Initiative. Involves restoration of many important and critical salmon habitat tributaries of Jackson Creek in the Upper South Umpqua Basin. This is an ongoing multi-year project in collaboration with state and federal agencys. Private local citizens and businesses are contracted whenever possible for labor and machinery. Monies are repaid through a grant with Ecotrust as expenses are paid out. Benefits to local and commercial landowners as well as fisheries and wildlife interests.

Umpqua Biochar Education Team. UBET in cooperation with non-profit Wilson Biochar Associates are dedicated to educating interested persons and parties on the value of turning forest waste into biochar. Wilson Biochar is working on a two year project titled On-Farm Production and Use of Biochar for Composting with Manure and is funded by a grant through the Natural Resourceses Conservation Service.

Emerson Bridge project. Working with the USFS to procure a grant through Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, (OWEB) to replace the aging bridge at Emerson Creek, a tributary of Jackson Creek. The old bridge had a mid span support which was a detriment to the creek bed and salmon runs.

Skillet-Emerson project. A collaboration with the US Forest service to do instream restoration work for salmon habitat in Skillet and Emerson creeks on the Jackson creek watershed, tributaries o the South Umpqua River.

2017 State of the Beaver conference. Held every other year to promote awareness of the importance of the role that beavers play in restoring and maintaining healthy watersheds, fish runs, and ecosystems. The conference draws dozens of professionals in the field from the U.S., Canada, and Europe, as well as many local citizens and Tribal members interested in improving and restoring waterways and forests. Benefits everyone from private landowners to commercial timber and fisheries interests. Provides jobs for local citizens. Paid for mostly by donation and registration fees which started being received in late 2016.