Project Goals
Successfully establish native plants in place of invasive plants (e.g. English ivy, Himalayan blackberries), repair and stabilize the creek banks where needed, and replant with native plants the section of Restoration Creek that passes thru Albert Kelly Park. This healthier and more diverse plant life provides: support for a broader range of birds and native critters, than the monolithic ivy (which rats love) and blackberries do, and helps filter and better utilize runoff, providing higher water quality and healthier creek environment both in the park and downstream downstream in Fanno Creek.
The Project Areas & Timeline
The Project Area is divided into roughly four equal areas which were cleaned up and replanted during 2003-2006. Areas 1a-c comprise the upper three fourths of the project area and were done by the Bridlemile Creek Stewards (BCS) and
Area 1a before work began.
volunteers during 2003-2006. Area 1c is being watered during the summer of 2006 to help establish the plants which were planted in January 2006. Events to keep invasive resprouts and weeds in check are held every other month. Area 2 the lower/eastern quarter was also started in 2003 and is being done by the Portland Bureau of Environmental Services (BES).
Area 1a - 2003-4 BCS & Volunteers
The upper eastern most quarter, starts just above the bridge at the backyards of the neighbors there and goes down to just below the bridge.
2003.05.21 before work started. See Before & After Photos page for photos of same area taken later.
This area was done by BCS and volunteers using manual methods during 2003-4; described in detail in the BCS Community Watershed Stewardship Program Grant Proposal for Area 1a:
BCSAkCWSG1a2.pdf 384KB/11 pages
BCSAkPlants1a.pdf 28KB/1 page
Area 1b - 2004-5 BCS & Volunteers
This area was done by BCS and volunteers using manual methods during 2004-5;
2004.04.04 before work started. See Before & After Photos page for photos of same area taken later.
described in detail in the BCS Community Watershed Stewardship Program Grant Proposal for Area 1b:
BCSAkCWSG1b1.pdf 328KB/11 pages
BCSAkPlants1b.pdf 20KB/1 page
Area 1c - 2005-6 BCS & Volunteers
This area was done by BCS and volunteers using manual methods during 2005-6; described in detail in the BCS Community Watershed Stewardship Program Grant Proposal for Area 1c:
BCSAkCWSG1c1.pdf 280KB/11 pages
BCSAkPlants1c.pdf 36KB/1 page
Area 2 - 2003 BES
The lower/western most quarter, begins just below the informal creek crossing by the Playground and ends at the culvert where Restoratioin Creek goes underground to Fanno Creek. BES has been working in this area since 2003.
2003.05.01 before work started. See Before & After Photos page for photos of same area taken later.
In order to remove the massive stand of blackberries in the lower third, the BES plan used a proven combination of techniques. In summary those techniques involve:
brush cutting, mowing, pulling, mulching, shading, as well as spraying. Herbicide is only one possible tool that we may use, depending on the site conditions. A certain amount of weeds on the site will be tolerated so long as the native plants are not threatened. The scorched-earth approach is not the idea here...
Using 2x10 boards and the weight of their own bodies they mashed the blackberries first,
Mashing blackberries in Area 2
then had a contractor spot-spray the blackberries with a broadleaf herbicide called triclopyr (sold as Garlon 3A), from backpack hand sprayers... the usage complied with the NOAA Fisheries approved ESA 4(d) PP&R Pest Management Program. And although it was not used in an aquatic manner, Triclopyr has received its aquatic label recently which does speak to the sensibility of its use in riparian buffers... In order to minimize runoff and drift, spraying was be done in dry weather, and with low pressure equipment (backpack).
The fencing that has been installed is to keep people and dogs out the treatment area, and to let the new plants get established. The approach used involves planning and timing those treatments in a way designed to achieve the project goals of establishing a healthy stand of native trees and shrubs while minimizing intrusion into the natural area and costs.
A complete description of BES's Integrated Approach is described in
BCSAkBES.pdf 312KB/19 pages
Maintenance and the Future
During 2006-7 Areas 1a-c were maintained by volunteers with grant money obtained by the Bridlemile Creek Stewards (BCS) described in this PDF:
BCSAkHpCWSG2006-7a.pdf 272KB/8 pages
Every other month there was an Invasive Touch Up Event using manual methods, see 2007 Events & Photos for details.
At some of those events additional plants were added to fill in bare spots and replace any plants that may have died.
Dates and details regarding future maintenance events are being worked out by BCS, BNA, and Portland Parks & Recreation. To be notified by email of upcoming BCS events join the BCS Announce email list; and or check the SWNI calendar for future event(s). Your contribution of an hour more is all it takes to keep these areas free of invasives.
Area 2 is continuing to be maintained by BES. They come in at least once a year with a crew and using chain saws cut down all weeds to ground level.
BES crew member cutting down weeds with chainsaw.
BES crew members cutting down weeds with chainsaws.