Minto-Brown Island Park Restoration

The City of Salem partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to protect Willamette River floodplain and restore native habitats on approximately 166 acres of Minto-Brown Island Park. Floodplain Easement closing occurred in March 2010, and initial restoration activity began in early April with tree and shrub planting in the Willow Slough area (former pumpkin patch) and Woodland 5, south of the cherry orchard.

Throughout the summer of 2010, work focused on preparation of restoration areas for fall seeding of native grasses and flowering forbs. Tillage and two applications of herbicide were used to eliminate undesirable non-native and invasive plants. Signs are posted notifying park users whenever spraying is conducted. Initial seeding was completed in late fall, with tree and shrub planting in December 2010.

At the end of 2012, the site had a healthy establishment of native grass in the wet prairie and upland prairie areas. The Ponderosa pine clusters and the Oregon white oak clusters were doing quite well. Shrub and tree establishment was proceeding well in the mixed woodlands. Songbirds like the black capped chickadees, song sparrow, and American goldfinch were frequently being spotted in the spirea stands and the willow thickets.

An NRCS contractor conducted regular monitoring and management of the restoration site in 2011 and 2012, and will continue to do so through 2013, to ensure plant survival and control of invasive species. The floodplain restoration continues to perform well and appears to be on a strong trajectory to achieving the project goals.

Department: Public Works
Contact: Nitin Joshi, Water and Environmental Resources Manager, 503-588-6647, njoshi@cityofsalem.net
Funding Source: $683,512 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (USDA Emergency Watershed Protection Program)
Last Update: March 2013