Oregon 2023 - Marion County Parks Reforestation

PROJECT REPORT

OREGON 2023MARION COUNTY PARKS REFORESTATION

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Dear friend,

Thanks to your support, a total of 18,000 trees were planted to restore 26 hectares of land in Oregon.

Planting trees in areas that have been degraded or deforested helps the environment by accelerating and assuring the re-establishment of healthy forests. Through reforestation, the canopy is restored, ecosystems are made whole, and biodiversity can thrive.

None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of everyone at One Tree Planted, thank you!

What follows is a report outlining the project you supported in Oregon. I hope you enjoy reading it and truly feel the impact you have made.

OVERVIEW

In 2020, the Beachie Creek Fire and Lionshead Fire destroyed large swaths of forest in the Santiam Canyon along Highway 22, including seven recreation sites and river access points operated by Marion County east of Salem. Tree loss within the seven parks ranged from 80% to 100%. The Oregon 2023 - Marion County Parks Reforestation project marks phase one of a larger reforestation plan aimed at restoring these parks. It helped bring to life Marion County’s goals of improving watershed resilience, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, recreational benefits, and community connection with natural areas.

TREE SPECIES PLANTED

SPECIES PLANTED THROUGH THIS PROJECT Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

In addition to the 18,000 Douglas fir planted, multiple riparian species of plants were planted by our partner including: snowberry, siniburnum, red flowering currant, swamp rose, Nootka rose, coyote brush, mock orange, black hawthorne, serviceberry, oceanspray, osoberry, tall Oregon grape, red elderberry, blue elderberry and baldhip rose.

Planting these native species enables quick restoration of habitat and food sources for local wildlife, helping to restore biodiversity to the region. The root systems will anchor the soil and prevent future erosion and slope instability.

TREE SPECIES IDENTIFICATION & USE

Douglas fir, also known as Pseudotsuga menziesii, are evergreen coniferous trees native to coastal areas in western North America and British Columbia. What’s unique about this species is that it has three recognized varieties: Coastal / Coast Douglas fir, Mexican Douglas fir, and Rocky Mountain Douglas fir. Coast firs are found in moist coastal areas of British Columbia and California, whereas Rocky Mountain firs are smaller, tolerating drier sites throughout Rocky Mountains in Canada all the way through southwestern US and Mexico. Mexican Douglas fir is largely native to the Sierra Madre mountain ranges of Mexico.

Coast fir, the type of Douglas fir which were used for this project, can grow up to 250 feet tall and can be identified by two white stripes present along the length of the underside of each needle. These needles are flat and grow out in all directions, while the cones hang down from the branches.

Douglas fir play a vital role in an ecosystem, including the provision of numerous ecological benefits, such as mitigating climate change, improving air quality, absorbing and filtering runoff, and providing natural areas for research, recreation, and spiritual activities.

Douglas fir habitats support a wide range of wildlife, including the federally threatened northern spotted owl and federally endangered marbled murrelet. This species provides food for a number of small mammals, including chipmunks, mice, shrews, and red squirrels, as well as sap for black bears. Many songbirds will eat the seeds right out of the cone, and raptors, like the northern spotted owl, rely on Douglas fir for cover. In fact, Douglas-fir forests have the highest average bird counts of any forest type in North America.

Douglas fir are the most common and widely distributed species in the Pacific Northwest. Because of their commercial value, Douglas fir are typically harvested within a century, but have been known to grow for centuries onward. Part of their demand comes from their versatility in purpose. Douglas fir timber can be used to make furniture, flooring and construction of homes. On top of this, and because of their festive appearance, they are highly sought out as Christmas trees.

WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE DONATED TREES USED TO HELP REPLANT NORTH FORK, MINTO AND PACKSADDLE PARKS. THESE PARKS ARE A BELOVED COMMUNITY RESOURCE THAT PROVIDE COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE SANTIAM CANYON AREA. WE’VE BEEN HARD AT WORK GETTING THEM RESTORED AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND THE TREES PROVIDED BY ONE TREE PLANTED WILL HELP PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION, WILDLIFE HABITAT, IMPROVED WATERSHED QUALITY AND PROVIDE FUTURE PARK GOERS A PLACE TO CONNECT WITH NATURE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING FUTURE GENERATIONS TO EXPLORE AND ENJOY EVERYTHING MARION COUNTY PARKS HAVE TO OFFER TO THE COMMUNITY.

YOUR IMPACT ON THE MAP

The Oregon 2023 - Marion County Parks Reforestation project supported the planting of 18,000 native Douglas fir trees across 64 acres of land in Marion County, Oregon. Planting new trees within these parks will benefit visitors of all ages and provide an excellent nature-oriented experience for generations to come, all while contributing to building climate resilience and improving water health within the watershed.

DOCUMENTING YOUR IMPACT

Through authentic and informative storytelling, we help donors relate to the people who plant their trees and to the impact they're making for the planet. We share photos, videos, and updates from our global projects across our social media, website, and other media to create a personal connection to the incredible work happening on the ground.

PHOTOS FROM YOUR PROJECT

COMMUNITY BENEFITS

During the summer months, the Little North Fork Canyon and North Santiam River areas experience significant visitor traffic. With swimming spots, picnicking areas, and abundant fishing opportunities, all Marion County Parks provide direct access to these natural treasures. These parks are beloved destinations for residents of Salem and neighboring Willamette Valley cities, who frequent them for day trips and camping adventures. Recognized as essential components of the regional recreation landscape and local economy, these parks play a vital role in fostering community well-being and leisure activities.

Additionally, this initiative actively involved the local community through volunteer efforts, providing individuals with comprehensive training sessions led by our partner's forestry expert. Volunteers received hands-on instruction in proper seedling planting techniques, including spacing and care guidelines. Likewise, participants were equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to identify and address various invasive species within the park. This collaborative effort between our on ground partners and other local environmental agencies ensured that volunteers were well-prepared to contribute effectively to the restoration project.

ReforestingMarionCountyParkswillhelpto:

Provide guided management of scenic qualities and recreation opportunities, benefiting the local economy

Improve the quality of life for residents of the North Santiam area, making the region more attractive to both businesses and skilled workers

Preserve historical and cultural heritage of the area, providing an opportunity for interpretation

Offer opportunities for ecological interpretation

Encourage opportunities to pursue healthy lifestyles

Facilitate and better manage access points to the North Santiam River and The Little North Fork of the Santiam River, preventing riverside erosion

Offer year-round activities for the visitor industry, extending the seasonal economic benefits to the local communities

I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF THE TREES PLANTED AT PACKSADDLE PARK. I’VE USED THE BOAT RAMP FOR YEARS TO GUIDE RAFTING TRIPS DOWN THE NORTH SANTIAM RIVER, AND IT WAS TOUGH TO SEE IT DEVASTATED BY THE 2020 LABOR DAY FIRES. I APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK INTO THE PARK AND BE A PART OF THE RECOVERY EFFORTS, AND I’M EXCITED TO SEE THEM GROW AND DEVELOP AS THE PARK CONTINUES TO BE A HUB FOR WATER RECREATION IN THE AREA.

BIODIVERSITY BENEFITS

By restoring our forests, we can bolster the resilience of our watersheds. As the climate warms, Oregon will continue to see more precipitation falling as rain instead of snow, more floods and landslides, and more frequent and prolonged droughts. Healthy watersheds with low road density, mature trees, and intact stream buffers provide a natural system for slowing run-off, storing and filtering water, and reducing the risk of landslides. Mature and intact forests also provide shade that keeps streams cool and oxygenated for salmon and trout. Forests are also one of the greatest solutions to the climate and extinction crises. They function as a massive carbon sink for the planet and are key to maintaining regional rainfall patterns.

This reforestation project will create vital habitat for numerous species of wildlife and fish. Wildlife that live in and around Marion County Parks include:

BlackBear

BaldEagles

Black-TailedDeer

MountainLions

Coyote

WesternToad

DouglasSquirrel

Owls

Bats

Salmon

Steelhead

RiverOtter

Awidevarietyofinsectsandamphibians

RIPARIAN BENEFITS

Replanting the riparian corridor along the Little North Fork River, a temperatureimpaired 303d listed stream, is a vital component of the reforestation project. The sites selected for reforestation are strategically situated along this river, where the riparian vegetation plays a crucial role in ecosystem health. By reintroducing native vegetation to the riparian zone, the project aims to restore shading along the riverbanks. This shading is instrumental in regulating the ambient temperature of the stream, thereby creating a more conducive habitat for aquatic species.

Additionally, the restored riparian vegetation acts as a buffer, helping to protect the water quality of the Little North Fork River. This is particularly significant for the communities along the North Santiam River, as over 170,000 people rely on this river as a source of drinking water. Thus, the reforestation efforts not only contribute to ecosystem restoration, but also safeguard the drinking water supply for local communities.

U.N. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

THIS PROJECT CONTRIBUTED TO THE FOLLOWING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:

WHAT ARE SDGS?

Sustainable development entails seeking out solutions that not only boost the economic outcomes of developing and poorer nations, but also work to limit (or eliminate) our impact on the planet. Trees are one such solution.

From creating jobs and reducing hunger to improving gender equality, cleaning air and water, absorbing carbon, protecting life on land and water, and more, planting trees can address all 17 sustainable development goals.

“Thank youforsupportingthis importantwildfirerestoration project.By restoring riparian landscape severely damaged by wildfire you are not only supporting the wildlife that inhabit this ecosystem, you are also making an impact for residents depending on the health of the watershedandvisitorsthatcometoaccessnatureattheseparks.”

Brittney Burke Regional Director of Projects North America

Meghan Danny Global Projects Support Specialist