Conservation

Restoration

The word "restoration" means different things to different people. For some, it implies replanting streamside forest, (also known as riparian habitat), removing invasive weeds, or cleaning up the bed and banks of the river; for others, restoration means additional water in the river for fish like salmon and steelhead trout. Whatever your definition of restoration, the River Parkway Trust has an opportunity for you to get involved and contribute to the health of the San Joaquin River.

River Stewards 2011 Dates

January 8: Willow Planting

February 5: Grass Planting

March 5: TBA

April 9, 16, 23: Earth Days. Prepare restoration sites for summer. Hand pull weeds around plantings and prepare irrigation lines.

May 7: TBA

Jensen River Ranch Habitat Enhancement and Public Access Improvements Project

The Jensen River Ranch Habitat Enhancement is our largest restoration project to date. In partnership with the San Joaquin River Conservancy, City of Fresno, and California Department of Water Resources, the Trust is replanting 100 acres with native trees, shrubs, and grasses. If you would like to learn more or volunteer, check for upcoming workdays on our River Stewards page, or contact Lina Valenzuela.

Arundo Eradication & Coordination Program
Ongoing, various dates and times, details TBA

Riverbottom Park Revegetation Project
Details TBA

Spano River Ranch Habitat Enhancement

Why is restoration important?

Our stretch of the San Joaquin is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and provides a stopping place or travel corridor for many others including bald eagles, mule deer, valley elderberry longhorn beetles, coyotes, foxes, beavers, muskrat, and many types of waterfowl. With the help of a host of volunteers and partner organizations, the River Parkway Trust Land & Trails Program strives to improve missing and damaged areas of this valuable ecosystem.

What kind of restoration activities are taking place?

The River Parkway Trust is involved in habitat restoration work on several different Parkway properties. These projects usually involve re-contouring the land to diversify plant communities, then planting and maintaining the site for several years.

The larger San Joaquin River Restoration Program involves releasing more water down the river channel to recreate a salmon fishery; and carefully managing water supply in order to continue providing irrigation water to farmers. The River Parkway Trust is not one of the signatories to the restoration program agreement, but works closely with all of the agencies and organizations involved in the restoration effort. We expect to participate in the channel restoration projects that take place in the Parkway reach of the San Joaquin River - from Friant Dam to Highway 145. For more information about the San Joaquin River Restoration Program, please visit the program website at www.restoresjr.com.

For more information about restoration projects, contact Sharon Weaver.