The Need for Active Restoration
Riparian restoration transforms weedy, abandoned land into valuable native riparian savanna, woodland, and forest. The success of these projects depends greatly on science and technology to ensure that the projects benefit targeted wildlife, the environment, and local
communities.
Without active restoration, invasive weeds such as arundo and tamarisk invade denuded areas and diminish the re-growth of native vegetation. The impact of invasive weeds is devastating. They provide no food or shelter for wildlife. They increase erosion to river channels and banks and therefore damage bridges and roads. Also they reduce the availability of ground water and drastically change river flow and velocity which further impacts native habitat, wildlife and human safety. River Partners manages a restoration project for at least three years. During this time, we ensure native plants grow into established communities. By experimenting with native grass and understory plantings, we have made great advancements in producing quality habitat and eliminating the invasion of weeds.
Below is a list of plants that River Partners routinely plants in our riparian restoration projects.
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TREES
Valley oak - Quercus lobata
California sycamore -Platanus racemosa
Oregon ash - Fraxinus latifolius
Box-elder - Acer negundo
Fremont cottonwood - Populus fremontii
Red Willow - Salix laevigata
Black willow - Salix gooddingii
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SHRUBS
Elderberry - Sambucus mexicana
California rose - Rosa californica
Arroyo willow - Salix lasiolepis
Sand-bar willow - Salix exigua
Coyote brush - Baccharis pilularis
Coffee berry - Rhamnus tomentosa
Redbud - Cercis occidentalis
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VINES
Native blackberry - Rubus ursinus
Grape - Vitis californicus
HERBACEOUS UNDERSTORY
Creeping rye grass - Leymus triticoides
Basket sedge - Carex barabarae
