Neighbor Recognized for Wetlands Improvement Work
Long-time Skyline resident Karin Hunt was recently honored by the Oregon State Land Board for extensive work to improve fish and wildlife habitat at “Batwater,’ her property near Clatskanie.
The project restored wetlands on a 26-acre section of the property and reconnected it to the Columbia River. It also involved constructing tidal channels, installing large woody debris, altering the topography, and planting native shrubs and trees to replace invasive reed canary grass.
Karin wanted to restore the area’s natural hydrology to provide better habitat for fish and other wildlife. She also wanted to create an opportunity for people: a natural area to enjoy the environment and to learn about the value of preserving natural habitats.
The project planners used innovative restoration strategies from “The Beaver Restoration Guide Book” which touts modeling beaver behavior for restoring habitat for fish, waterfowl, amphibians and reptiles. If the techniques prove to be successful over time, there could be significant cost savings in using them in designing future conservation projects, according to the project proponents.
Department of State Lands Director Jim Paul thanked the project partners for “promoting responsible, sustainable stewardship of state natural resources. It’s encouraging to know about and honor outstanding projects taking place throughout Oregon.”
Governor Kate Brown, chair of the Land Board, presented the award and praised the collaborative effort as a “wonderful example of how non-profit organizations worked with a private landowner to voluntarily preserve wetlands” for fish and wildlife habitat. She also commended the property owner for including people in the equation: Hunt allows camping on the property, which has 14 tent sites and kayaks available for campers.
“We have such strong partnerships in our area, and we are all so pleased that the Batwater Station project was honored by the State Land Board,” said Kari Olsen-Hollander, manager of the Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District, who nominated the project for an award.
The Land Board recognized the following partner agencies in the project: Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District, Lower Columbia River Watershed Council, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Bonneville Power (funder), and landowner Karin Hunt.
Ridge Runner, July '16
The project restored wetlands on a 26-acre section of the property and reconnected it to the Columbia River. It also involved constructing tidal channels, installing large woody debris, altering the topography, and planting native shrubs and trees to replace invasive reed canary grass.
Karin wanted to restore the area’s natural hydrology to provide better habitat for fish and other wildlife. She also wanted to create an opportunity for people: a natural area to enjoy the environment and to learn about the value of preserving natural habitats.
The project planners used innovative restoration strategies from “The Beaver Restoration Guide Book” which touts modeling beaver behavior for restoring habitat for fish, waterfowl, amphibians and reptiles. If the techniques prove to be successful over time, there could be significant cost savings in using them in designing future conservation projects, according to the project proponents.
Department of State Lands Director Jim Paul thanked the project partners for “promoting responsible, sustainable stewardship of state natural resources. It’s encouraging to know about and honor outstanding projects taking place throughout Oregon.”
Governor Kate Brown, chair of the Land Board, presented the award and praised the collaborative effort as a “wonderful example of how non-profit organizations worked with a private landowner to voluntarily preserve wetlands” for fish and wildlife habitat. She also commended the property owner for including people in the equation: Hunt allows camping on the property, which has 14 tent sites and kayaks available for campers.
“We have such strong partnerships in our area, and we are all so pleased that the Batwater Station project was honored by the State Land Board,” said Kari Olsen-Hollander, manager of the Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District, who nominated the project for an award.
The Land Board recognized the following partner agencies in the project: Columbia Soil and Water Conservation District, Lower Columbia River Watershed Council, Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership and Bonneville Power (funder), and landowner Karin Hunt.
Ridge Runner, July '16