Over 86,000 trees and shrubs are here to shade! The Shade our Streams program is bringing attractive natives like western red cedar, big leaf maple, salmon berry, red-osier dogwood, swamp rose, elderberry, and many others to the Clackamas watershed this winter.

Shade Our Streams is a community tree planting project that will improve water quality and habitat in the Clackamas River basin for fish, wildlife, and people too. By removing invasive weeds from streamside areas and replanting with native vegetation, healthy habitats are created at ‘no cost’ to landowners. These restored natural areas provide food and shelter, reduce erosion, filter pollutants, can lower energy costs, increase property values and provide a beautiful space for families to enjoy. Plus, as trees mature, their leaves create shade that will cool water temperatures which is critical for both our drinking water and fish species native to the Clackamas River like wild coho, Chinook, and steelhead. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Lets break it down by the numbers:

• 450,000 native trees and shrubs will be planted over 6 years along 30 stream miles
• 165,000+ natives have been planted in total along 11.5 stream miles
• 75 landowners are currently enrolled in the program
• 24 different native species are planted across the watershed
• 5 stream miles are being planted right now! At 25 projects!!
• 3 of the most wanted weeds of the Clackamas are: Himalayan blackberry, Japanese knotweed, and English ivy

Read More – Clackamas River Basin Council