Tour will feature floodplain reforestation and side channel habitat reconnection at the publicly-owned Snag Boat Bend property.
Guided Tour of Willamette River Restoration at Snag Boat Bend
Date & Time: Tuesday, 9/28 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Map/Directions: Snag Boat Bend is approximately 11 miles north of Harrisburg on the west side of Peoria Road. There is a large sign at the road and a public parking loat. (directions and map will be sent to tour attendees)
Tour Description: Snag Boat Bend is a unit of William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge and managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) located just south of the community of Peoria on the Willamette River. The gallery forests at the refuge provide essential habitat for migratory, neotropical songbirds, and the backwater slough creates critical slow-water habitat for native salmon and trout. Restoration efforts led by the Long Tom Watershed Council and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have included three phases of earthwork and five phases of floodplain reforestation. This work has reconnected 110 acres of the 2-year floodplain to the river, increased channel complexity in 25 acres of side-channel and alcove habitat, and planted native trees and shrubs across 185 acres of floodplain forest.
LTWC fish biologist and project manager Jed Kaul will lead the tour, along with project partner Samantha Bartling from the USFWS. Walking distance will be approximately 1 – 1.25 miles over gravel, on a boardwalk, and through grass with some uneven terrain. Tour attendees will get to view the Willamette River and side channel, culvert installation, bird blind, and several age classes of new plantings. Click to view map of plantings
What to Bring: Sturdy walking shoes or boots; jacket or raincoat based upon forecast; water bottle; bring your own snacks or picnic if you plan on staying hanging out afterwards to eat under the shelter of oak trees.
What’s Provided: Water, snack bars, masks, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, extra masks
Safety / COVID Protocols: In order to ensure the safety for all attendees, our maximum threshold for the guided walk is 25 – 30 people. All tour attendees will be asked to maintain 6-foot physical distance between households while walking. We will be asking all participants to wear masks. Masks will be provided for those who forget.
NOTE: We will continue to monitor the local COVID-19 case numbers in Eugene and Lane County, and depending on the severity of the cases in September, we may need to make adjustments to our outdoor tour plans accordingly.
*The Lottery Registration Deadline for this tour has Closed*
We will be choosing participants via a lottery system. Those interested in participating can by registering for this tour by clicking the button above. If you are interested in attending the tour with someone, please submit one form with both of your names and contact information (limit one entry per family of 4 of fewer. Lottery winners will be chosen and notified by Tuesday, September 22nd.
