Volunteer at Barlow Trail – February 28th, 2025
Winter is the new summer - join us for a morning on the Sandy River!
It’s late winter and if you’re starting to feel restless, we understand! Join us on Friday, February 28th for a chance to get some fresh air while helping Columbia Land Trust care for Barlow Trail, a conserved property along the Sandy River near Rhododendron, Oregon. This 30-acre forested site includes 18 acres of the Sandy River’s floodplain and a large side channel that underwent an in-stream restoration project in 2016 to create habitat for coho salmon and steelhead trout. Using loppers, weed wrenches, and our hands, we’ll remove invasive Scotch broom that is growing along the river’s shoreline and the adjacent forest.
Scotch broom proliferates rapidly in the Pacific Northwest along roadsides and disturbed areas, displacing native vegetation and posing a fire risk due to its high flammability. With your help we can continue to control the patch of Scotch broom growing on the Sandy River shoreline, allowing native vegetation to grow and helping prevent the spread of Scotch broom to nearby properties and downstream.
This activity will involve up to 2 hours of physical labor, rain or shine, on off-trail terrain that can be rocky, uneven and brushy. This work will be moderately physical, involving bending, pulling, and carrying tools, likely in wet and cold conditions. All participants are encouraged to pace themselves and prioritize safety at all times. Directions to the site and further information will be provided in a confirmation email after registration.
If you have any questions about this event, please contact events@columbialandtrust.org.