Volunteers and Hands on Habitat: Check out this panorama and see the native riparian shrubs and trees including alders, woods rose and willows growing and regenerating along the Little Salmon River eight years after volunteers began planting them in a dynamic partnership with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, private landowners, Trout Unlimited, the National Resources Conservation Service and the Untied States Fish and Wildlife Service.
Volunteers doggedly planted native species of woody plants along the river year after year to restore riparian habitat that protects the banks from erosion by catching sediment and building up the banks, shading the water, thus cooling its temperature in the heat of the summer and providing healthy and productive habitat for fish and wildlife.
Stabilizing the stream banks by planting deep-rooted woody shrubs and trees helps farmers and ranchers and other landowners by reducing soil and land loss when the river floods during annual spring run-off of snow melt from nearby mountains and other high water events.
Native riparian habitat restoration takes time, patience and perseverance. Dedicated volunteers, committed landowners, agency leadership and resources comprise the ingredients for successful partnerships.
