The Illinois Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is nearing completion of the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board-funded Upper Illinois River Watershed Restoration Project.
This initiative encompasses 74 acres of site preparation and replanting on private lands affected by the 2020 Slater Fire. The project also features volunteer-led riparian replanting efforts and willow giveaways organized by the local district.
In June 2023, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) awarded just over $330,000 to the IV Soil and Water Conservation District for the project. The focus of the project was to increase ecological health and resiliency on private forestlands damaged by the Slater Fire, to increase education and awareness around fire resiliency and sustainable land management practices, and to empower landowners to restore and reclaim their property from the devastating impacts of the wildfire.
Grayback Forestry finished site preparation for the project in late 2024 and implemented a replanting strategy spanning 74 acres across three properties.
The OWEB post-fire recovery funds were primarily sourced from general funds allocated by the Oregon Legislature.
To celebrate the project's achievements, the Illinois Valley Fire Resiliency Oversight Group (IVFROG) will host a special event. Outreach and educational activities from this project will also help efforts within the North Illinois Valley Strategic Implementation Area (SIA).
