\u201cBandon Dunes is very focused on restoration, so they\u2019re usually one of the first ones at the table. That\u2019s a really great catalyst for many of my projects, because they definitely have name recognition with other funders. But they\u2019re also really great at understanding who to connect. Even if they can\u2019t provide funding, they always follow up with other contacts: \u2018Oh, you guys should check in with these people, or think about this funding.\u2019 It\u2019s like a miniature restoration dating service!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014Kelly Timchak, Curry Soil and Water Conservation District\/Lower Rogue Watershed Counci<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With funding and other support from BDCF, the Lower Rogue Watershed Council and the Curry Soil and Water Conservation District is nearing completion of its restoration design plan for critical rearing sites in the Rogue River estuary, which will expand and improve available habitat for coho and other native juvenile salmonids along with resident and migratory species like beavers and waterfowl. Restoration work is expected to begin in 2026 and will focus on increasing floodplain connectivity, nutrient cycling, biodiversity and stream complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEverything seems to be moving along really smoothly!\u201d says Project Manager Kelly Timchak. \u201cWe're currently getting some permits underway, and we\u2019ve already finished the cultural resources survey.\u201d The Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, which served on the Technical Team to assist with project development, is also working with the Forest Service to facilitate a tree donation. \u201cIt's about 125 trees that the Tribal Council supported for removal, and then we work with the Forest Service for final approval,\u201d Kelly says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Freeman Rock, Inc. \u2014 owners of the area and long-time partners in the restoration effort \u2014 have already begun excavating gravel from the site, which means that some of the necessary preparation work is getting done ahead of time. \u201cIt\u2019s a symbiotic relationship,\u201d Kelly says. \u201cFreeman Rock needs gravel and we need habitat, so we're working together to hit both of our goals. It\u2019s a great thing to be able to highlight, because industry folks may not know that this kind of win-win partnership is an option.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Further emphasizing that environmental restoration, community health, and economic development need not be at odds, the Lower Rogue Watershed Council is looking at recruiting unemployed or underemployed people in the timber industry. \u201cWe need people with certain skill sets, so we are trying to figure out how to plug them into a restoration economy \u2014 like this habitat enhancement project \u2014 and keep it fruitful for them, too,\u201d Kelly notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Kelly, the best part of the project is the opportunity to expand \u2014 rather than simply restore \u2014 this invaluable habitat. \u201cUsually, we're only able to enhance the quality of our estuaries,\u201d she explains. \u201cThat we\u2019re actually increasing the quantity is still mind-blowing to me! And we will likely gain another 10 to 14 acres in future phases, too, because Freeman Rock came back and said, \u2018You can actually use about 25 acres in this<\/p>\n\n\n\n
area.\u2019 So over the next 10 years, we're looking to add extra channels to the newly created sloughs and capture a few more estuary acres \u2014 all on the same property!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kelly expects the major work \u2014 including revegetation \u2014 to get underway next year. \u201cThat's when we're going to be putting in new channels, tidal benches, smaller tributaries, and large wood placements, and then connecting to the main God Wants You Slough,\u201d she says. As an added benefit, this work will aid in climate mitigation: \u201cScientists have found that estuaries have a lot of carbon storage in their sediments and organic matter, so we\u2019re adding to carbon storage through estuary expansion as well as providing a release for flooding with future climate events.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kelly is grateful both for BDCF\u2019s early support of the program as well as its ability to attract additional funders. \u201cEarly money is the best,\u201d she observes. \u201cIt gives you time to not feel so pressured about finding grant funds, because often these projects are so big that you will use several different resources with different timelines and reporting requirements. They are big, complex projects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe most exciting thing is learning that we\u2019ll have more acreage to work with in the future,\u201d Kelly concludes. \u201cWe can expand the footprint over the next five to 10 years, and as we continue to learn from this project, we can integrate that new information into the next project.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cBandon Dunes is very focused on restoration, so they\u2019re usually one of the first ones at the table. That\u2019s a really great catalyst for many of my projects, because they definitely have name recognition with other funders. But they\u2019re also really great at understanding who to connect. Even if they can\u2019t provide funding, they always […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":22283,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"blog_types":[386],"class_list":["post-22237","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bandon-dunes","blog_types-scholarship-recipient"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n