Recent Work with the Bear Creek Restoration Initiative

Bear Creek flows through the center of our community acting as the centerpiece for Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, Medford, and Central Point. It offers many recreation opportunities for people of all ages to exercise and experience nature. In 2019, Rogue Riverkeeper joined the Bear Creek Restoration Initiative (“BCRI”) along with several other local organizations with the unified goal of restoring the Bear Creek riparian corridor while considering the urban element of the surrounding area. However, the wildfire complex that devastated the Rogue River Valley in September 2020 has caused us to shift our priorities to incorporate post wildfire restoration and public safety. 

The BCRI would like to see the Bear Creek corridor restored to a healthy riparian forest with increased public access for additional opportunities for enjoyment and to allow emergency responders to combat and contain any future wildfire related incidents.  We hope to restore the Bear Creek riparian environment to a wide belt of native trees and shrubs, clean water, and complex habitat conditions that provide the necessary conditions for large numbers of salmon, Pacific Lamprey, American beaver, and other fish and wildlife to thrive. 

Click the images below to view the specific issues Rogue Riverkeeper will be working on in Bear Creek as part of the BCRI, or visit the BCRI Website to learn more.