After the Fire, Plant Regeneration in the Bear Creek Watershed

Fire and vegetation have coexisted on the landscape from time immemorial. When white settlement and development came to our region, the new residents in the area did not view fire in a positive light and brought many plants with them, intentionally or unintentionally. With the Almeda Fire of 2020 (as well as the earlier Penninger Fire in Central Point in 2018) the challenges of that history are an ongoing reminder to many of us currently residing in the Bear Creek watershed. The vegetation patterns and management in the past had an effect on the fire behavior. Now that the fire area is regrowing, what do we know about what plants that are returning to the Bear Creek riparian area and how vegetation management could help us prepare and become resilient in the face of future fires as well as cultivate a robust riparian habitat.

On March 7, you are invited to attend a presentation at 6:30 pm at the Talent Library by Jason Clark, Lead Author and Field Botanist for Siskiyou BioSurvey, LLC who will share information on a recent survey and accompanying report, Bear Creek Corridor Post-Almeda Fire Vegetation Assessment. The trained botanists and field scientists of Siskiyou BioSurvey looked at the current vegetation in a 279- acre project area within the Almeda Fire footprint as the landscape continues to evolve and change in response to fire. The report also makes recommendations related to invasive plant management and other topics. This event is sponsored by Rogue Riverkeeper in partnership with the Bear Creek Restoration Initiative. The Bear Creek Restoration Initiative is a collaborative group of diverse non-profit and governmental partners who seek to improve ecological conditions along the Bear Creek riparian corridor.

No registration is required for this in-person event. Refreshments will be provided.