Major Regional Collaborations

Riparian restoration along Bear Creek and its tributaries is not new has been ongoing for several decades. In early 2019, Stream Smart members including the Rogue Valley Council of Governments convened a forum of interested organizations focused on restoring the Bear Creek riparian corridor as a unit by identifying a list of riparian restoration projects along Bear Creek and its tributaries. Through those discussions, the need for a meaningful dialogue to describe appropriate restoration actions along an urbanized stream became obvious across multiple sectors. We had to find common ground that provided a balance between a truly “wild” riparian area with abundant native vegetation and a “managed” riparian area that provides wild components while still accommodating public safety concerns, such as fire and fuel reduction, along with social concerns including the unsheltered population living along the Creek.

The Bear Creek Restoration Initiative (BCRI) is a renewed effort that takes traditional restoration perspectives and adds a social and public safety component to the mix to address the issues facing Bear Creek. Activities that are underway include controlling/removal of invasives species, planting native trees and shrubs, and developing strategies to improve fire resiliency and manage riparian communities in a changing climate.