REVEGETATION: A PROCESS TO RESTORE NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES

Poor water quality, Site Preparation & Monitoring & Diverse native plant habitat, & biodiversity Treatment Waiting Period Replanting Maintenance communities flourish

BEFORE DURING AFTER WHY Invasive weeds take over Site prep requires clear- CWS waits for invasive Revegetation crews re- CWS visits the newly Diverse native plant the land, so that native ing invasive species to plants to die before turn to the site to plant planted trees, shrubs, communities provide plants and animals don’t reduce competition and replanting the area with thousands of native and groundcover to multiple habitat types have space to grow and set native plants up for native plants and trees. trees and shrubs that, make sure they can for a variety of animals, thrive. Soil is compacted success. It’s similar to Depending on invasive as they mature, will add be successful in their a robust ecosystem that or prone to erosion, cre- painting a house, where weeds and their seeds, beauty and ecological new homes. CWS and can handle changes, ating poor water quality the exterior needs to be this can take between a resilience to the site. partner organizations and different root depths in our urban streams. stripped before putting month and a few years. provide ongoing ste- to prevent erosion and on the new coat of paint. This temporary—yet wardship, technical improve water quality. necessary—step will • Crews and CWS staff assistance, native WHAT • Invasive weeds create room for a new planting seeds and plants, and education. • Diverse native plant TO covering the land • Professional crews native plant community young plants • Eroding stream banks with so many benefits. • Possible opportunities communities EXPECT cutting or removing • Few native plants or for community plant- • Plants growing slowly • Returning of native non-native invasive at first until established animals plants and/or apply- ing parties pollinators, mammals, • Muddy water • CWS staff visiting site birds, amphibians, and ing safe and effective • Invasive plants dying to check plant growth herbicides reptiles • Landscape turning brown • Invasive weeds being • Flowering shrubs, • Dead or dying grass • Some non-native trees removed or trees groundcover, and trees may regrow • New native plants • Cleaner, healthier water being planted FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs) ABOUT REVEGETATION: WHAT CAN I EXPECT?

What is revegetation? Revegetation is a multi-year process of restoring a native plant community to support clean water, resilient streams, Resource Links and wildlife habitat. Clean Water Services (CWS) works with partners across the region to enhance and sustain land along streams and wetlands to improve the health of our community, economy, and ecology. Revegetation activities and timelines vary based on the project area. Clean Water Services Integrated Pest Management Plan bit.ly/2cB7pRF Site Prep and Treatment National Pesticide Information Center Q: Why did you leave a dead tree? Q: Is your herbicide treatment safe for kids and pets? npic.orst.edu A: Clean Water Services takes the health of our communi- A: A dead tree, known as a ‘snag’, actually plays an important role in supporting wildlife. Birds, small mammals, ties very seriously. Staff and contractors follow rules set by Native Plant Finder and other wildlife use them as a space for nests, nurseries, federal and state authorities; use the safest, most effective http://emswcd.org/native-plants/ storage, and perching. herbicides; and practice safe and effective methods for native-plant-database/ application. We use blue dye to indicate where we’ve applied herbicide so people and pets can avoid these areas. Please Replanting Living with Beavers see our resource list for more herbicide safety information. http://jointreeforall.org/beavers Q: Why don’t you use larger plants and irrigate? Q: How often will contractors be accessing the A: Native restoration works with natural processes. Through All ages volunteer opportunities property? experience and working with foresters, we have found https://www.jointreeforall.org/ A: In contrast with traditional landscaping crews, that planting bare root (1-year old) plants in the cold, rainy calendar/ restoration crews will work during specific seasons. Expect months helps plants establish faster. Plus, we’ve found that invasive species treatment in the spring and fall. Planting not using irrigation also means saving ratepayers money. season is during the rainy, winter months. Vegetation monitoring contractors collect data during the summer or fall. Monitoring and Maintenance Everything we do at Clean Water Q: I’ve seen birds nesting in the blackberry or other Q: What will it look like when you are done? Will Services aims to protect public weeds, how will removing the weeds affect the this area be like a park? nesting birds? health while enhancing the natural A: Natural areas are wild spaces that often look unkempt environment of the Tualatin River A: CWS and revegetation crews work to minimize impacts from a distance. Upon closer look, new forests provide Watershed. to wildlife as we enhance natural areas to provide high areas for deer to graze and pollinators to use wildflowers. quality wildlife habitat. We do our best to schedule work Wetland thickets provide areas for birds to nest. Mature around established bird nesting windows. Ultimately, native forests are home to frogs under the downed logs and plants will provide better sources of food and shelter during woodpeckers in snags. These areas are always growing and multiple seasons. changing with the seasons.

Restoration in Progress Q: Will CWS be back to take care of the plants? 2550 SW Hillsboro Highway A: Yes! CWS and our partners are invested in the long term Hillsboro, OR 97123 Q: When will CWS be back to plant? health of our watershed. Native ecosystems take a long time 503.681.3600 A: Restoration crews work with the changing season. Our to develop. We will use vegetation monitoring information cleanwaterservices.org planting season is during the rainy, winter months. Because to make adaptive management decisions. Crews will return CWS and our partners are invested in the long-term health during each planting season to replace plants as needed. of our watershed, crews will return each planting season to replace plants as needed until the project is established. February 2020

Main Office • 2550 SW Hillsboro Highway • Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 • p: 503.681.3600 • f: 503.681.3603 • cleanwaterservices.org