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.  Beaver are making a strong recovery in the stream as well and with their dams are helping to repair the damage caused by erosion.

Willow planting has been conducted along the length of Pine Creek and some tributaries with great success.  However, some areas still need a bit of "touching up".  One need is to have cottonwoods planted around some of the most prominent beaver ponds on Pine Creek.  Large trees provide an important missing component to the habitat, and provide large woody debris for making beaver dams that withstand spring floods.  They also would offer shade to these large pools: important for maintaining cooler water temperatures.

Below: two early spring views of a great beaver pond on Pine Creek showing the willows coming in nicely, but the lack of bigger trees...  Imagine how much cooler this big pond's water will be with big trees!

TIMELINE:
Participants should arrive at the car-camping location the night of Friday March 26th.  Saturday we will plant trees and protect them with some cages and tubes.  Sunday, we can take a nice day-hike in the morning to see what hidden treasures we can find.

WHAT TO BRING:
Participants will be responsible for their own camping gear, cooking and food. Please be sure to bring work gloves, work 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!  

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
  

GROUP SIZE:
This trip is limited to 11 volunteer participants.

REGISTRATION:
A FULL ITINERARY, DRIVING INSTRUCTIONS AND "WHAT TO BRING", WILL BE PROVIDED UPON REGISTRATION.  To aid in our planning, on your registration form "comments" please indicate: Your general hiking ability (high, medium, low) and if you have participated on this trip previously.

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