The Nehalem River Ranch is a multi-species, pasture-based farm that raises grass-fed beef and pastured pork while partnering with other local farmers who raise chickens, grow cut flowers, and other farm products. In 2020, Nehalem River Ranch partnered with the Nehalem Bay Watershed Council to plant over a mile of riparian trees and shrubs and 4 acres of silvopasture. Simultaneously, with support from the Tillamook Soil and Water Conservation District, Nehalem River Ranch also planted pollinator hedge rows between their pastures. Trees were planted and maintained by the Backyard Planting Program at Tillamook Estuaries Partnership.
“I’m very excited to share this project with our community,” says Zac Mallon, Director of the Nehalem Bay Watershed Council. “This is a great example of how managing Japanese knotweed on the banks of the Nehalem River isn’t a lost cause. The conifers planted in this project will push the knotweed out as their canopy develops. The trees are now reaching a size where grazing among the plantings for knotweed suppression is possible too!” He also says that this project will benefit salmon by absorbing nutrients from the fields, shading the river, and managing erosion by developing strong, fibrous root systems in the riverbank as erosion promoting knotweed gets pushed out.
This will be a walking tour through an active farm so please wear sturdy walking shoes or boots that can get dirty.
For more information about the tour or about the Nehalem Landowner Engagement Initiative please contact the Nehalem Bay Watershed Council at info@nehalemwatershed.org. More information on the Nehalem Basin Partnership and our outreach initiative can be found at www.nehalembasinpartnership.com/Nehalem-landowner-engagement-initiative . The Nehalem River Ranch website is www.nehalemriverranch.com . The Backyard Planting Program at Tillamook Estuaries Partnership can be found at www.tbnep.org/programs/habitat-restoration/backyard-planting-program/ .
This work is funded by grants from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund. We thank them for their support of habitat restoration in the Nehalem Watershed.
