BACKGROUND:
Pine Creek Conservation Area (PCCA) is located on the John Day River just east of Clarno, a 2-hour drive from Bend.  PCCA consists of 35,000 acres of Bonneville Power Administration Conservation Mitigation Lands.  These lands are managed in perpetuity by the Warm Springs Confederation of Tribes to enhance fish and wildlife habitat.  ONDA is a major collaborator in the "on-the-ground" management of this area and together with volunteers has contributed hundreds of hours of work on restoration projects here.  PCCA surrounds the Spring Basin Wilderness Study Area on three sides (the fourth side is the John Day River), and is the source of many tributaries to the John Day River.

The John Day River is the second longest undammed river in the Lower 48, making it home to the healthiest anadromous fish runs left in eastern Oregon. Robinson Creek, a tributary of the John Day, provides spawning and rearing habitat for one of the few remaining native Steelhead populations in the lower John Day River Basin.

Periods of uncontrolled cattle grazing, particularly along the stream banks, have degraded habitat for fish and wildlife in and along Robinson Creek by causing severe erosion.  Thanks to the restoration work being done by ONDA and the Pine Creek Conservation Area, steelhead have begun to access the entire length of the creek within the Conservation Area.  It is hoped that with time nearby beaver will move up into Robinson Creek and further restore the drainage.

Planting willows in Robinson Creek during a brief snow squall March 2008.

TIMELINE:
Participants should arrive at the car-camping location the night of Friday March 13th.  Saturday and Sunday (morning) we will plant trees along Robinson Creek.  Sunday, folks can head home after lunch and a morning of planting.

WHAT TO BRING:
Participants will be responsible for their own camping gear, cooking and food. Please be sure to bring work gloves, work boots or rubber boots, at least 2 liter-sized water bottles and proper gear for a day in the field: A thermos is also nice this time of year. We will be car-camping, and it could be cold, so no need to skimp on the luxuries!  Please bring an adequate supply of drinking/cooking water or a working water filter.
There is a port-a-potty facility on site.

When you register (below), you will receive a confirmation e-mail and as the trip gets nearer, you will receive an e-mail containing:

• Driving directions/time/map
• Additional suggested gear items to bring
• Car-pool information
• Any last-minute info or detail changes
  

COST:
This trip is free to members, $45 for non-members (why-not just become a member: it is only $35 for a full year!)

GROUP SIZE:
This trip is limited to 15 volunteer participants.

REGISTRATION:
Click HERE to register for the Robinson Creek Stream Restoration March 13-15 2009

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
This trip will be led by ONDA's Outreach Coordinator, Jefferson Jacobs