Volunteers Needed for 10th Annual Breitenbush Wildlife Habitat Restoration Project

(Springfield, Oregon) - The US Forest Service and various partners are seeking volunteers to participate in a project aimed at improving habitat for wildlife. Organizers hope to attract up to 75 volunteers to assist with various tasks including the removal of noxious weeds, fertilization, pruning, and litter collection.

This project is part of a long-term effort to create and enhance forage conditions for big game species, such as elk, deer and bear, that inhabit the Breitenbush River corridor and surrounding areas. These species benefit from the increased production of berries and tender leaves found in young forest stands. Restoration activities will be completed in open meadows, powerline corridors, young forest stands and other natural areas between Marion Forks and Breitenbush.

Volunteers will receive a free dinner on the evening of April 30th, compliments of the Capitol Chapter of the Oregon Hunters Association. Please contact Rick Breckel at (503) 949-7309 or rbreckel@wbcable.net to pre-register for the volunteer appreciation dinner; the deadline is April 29th, 2011. Free camping will also be provided for volunteers at the Fox Creek group site from Friday, April 29th through Sunday, May 1st.

Past partners include the US Forest Service, Oregon Hunters Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Oregon Foundation for Blacktail Deer, Pacific General Electric, Bonneville Power Administration, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Mid-Valley Crawlers 4WD Club, Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism (SOLV), Akzo Nobel Wood Coatings Company, Korner Post Restaurant, and other local Detroit businesses.

“Over the past ten years, these volunteers have greatly improved wildlife habitat on the Detroit Ranger District,” said Grady McMahan, District Ranger for the Detroit Ranger District. “Quality forage for wildlife is in short supply on the District; these volunteers are critical in ensuring the continued success of our wildlife populations.”

For more information, please contact Daryl Whitmore, Wildlife Biologist for the Detroit Ranger District, at (503) 854-4225 or dwhitmore@fs.fed.us.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.

WHAT: 10th Annual Breitenbush Wildlife Habitat Restoration Volunteer Project

WHEN: Saturday, April 30th; volunteers should meet at 8:00am at the Fox Creek group site located 11 miles north of Detroit, Oregon on Forest Service Road 46. Please bring leather or rubber work boots, rain gear, gloves, and tools (such as loppers) that can be used to trim brush.

WHERE: Project sites will include various locations near the Breitenbush River and Marion Forks.

CONTACT: For additional information contact Daryl Whitmore at (503) 854-4225 or dwhitmore@fs.fed.us. To pre-register for the volunteer appreciation dinner contact Rick Breckel at (503) 949-7309 or rbreckel@wbcable.net.

Source: Detroit & Sweet Home Ranger Districts, Willamette National Forest