June 18, 2024
29 members and organization people joined on the field trip.
First Stop: Mitchell Bridge Creek – went up Gable Creek viewpoint to look at a beaver restoration project that is a good reference point for the other stops.
Reese Mercer from Western Beavers speaking, in the backgrounds is Jenna Deibel the field trip coordinator and Central Oregon Extension Forester Agent 
Tim Deboodt, Natural Resources Policy Coordinator for Crook County
Reese (https://westernbeavers.org) gave the history on this project. It is the longest BDA project and has been monitored since the 1980’s when cows were removed from the site. In the 1990’s beaver trapping was shut down. It is about a 20 mile stretch for the project. There was a lot of channelization and was just not able to get a good restart. Beavers need vegetation, sediment, hydrology, human cooperation and structure. The structure part was the missing element. BDAs were put in. Beavers need a lot of vegetation and Reese had a handout for us. Beavers digest only about 1/3 of what they eat. There are now about 10-15 families with the average family being about 5.
Tim gave us the history of Miracle at Bridge Creek in 1994. A group of ranchers and environmentalists, working as part of the Oregon Watershed Improvement Coalition (now OWEB), forged an agreement on what was needed for a sound watershed and developed plans to improve Bridge Creek.
Second Stop: Antler Prairie– the purpose of this stop was to highlight beaver and bovine coexistence. Alex Makic and Yann Laportre met us here. Doug Breese leases 7 pastures to Doug Smith. This area is grazed every year from June-September, about 98 head of cattle. The success and the large amount of grass in this area is attributed to the beaver and rotational grazing.
Alex Makic and Yann Laporte, Forest Service Hydrologist and Fish Biologist with the Paulina District 
Lunch: Biggs Springs Campground– Great conversations, peaceful setting.
Third Stop: Gray Prairie– Walked out into the open meadow to see some BDA work that was implemented in summer of 2023 at the All Hands All Brands event. There were 86 structures put in and willows planted. Wanted to raise the water table and entice beavers into the area. This year’s All Hands All Brands event (6/28-6/30) will take place upstream, still in Gray Prairie.
Fourth Stop: Williams Prairie- This was a restoration project using heavy machinery. 450+ acres over a 6-week period. Decided heavy equipment was needed to do a reset. Five miles of channel work, multigrades and filling. There were lots of down cuts, channels, ditches, and erosion. It still looks raw, needs to give the area a few seasons.
