Overview

The Miller Property Riparian Restoration project, located in the heart of downtown Bend, is an excellent example of working with private landowners to restore habitat.  The owners of the property, Brooks Resources and Millbrook LLC, approached the Watershed Council seeking technical assistance in developing a restoration plan for the riparian portion of the site which had previously been an unmanaged vacant lot.

An assessment of the property revealed approximately 140 lineal feet of degraded stream bank and 250 lineal feet of riparian habitat that had been impacted by many years of recreational use. The Watershed Council developed a plan for bank stabilization that included the placement of whole trees along the riverbank to prevent erosion and improve in-stream fish habitat. In addition, native trees and shrubs were planted to improve habitat adjacent to river.

Funding

The project was funded by the landowners and implemented in partnership with Botanical Developments, a local landscaping company.  The project was completed in 2005.