Protection & Restoration

NWI puts the science of restoration on the ground, using a full array of conservation tools, to protect and restore at-risk species and habitats. NWI works with willing landowners and partner organizations to permanently protect high priority habitats through land acquisitions, conservation easements, and advocacy. NWI has implemented hundreds of restoration projects including removing fish passage barriers, and restoring streams, wetlands, and wildlife habitats. 

Protection

Dabob Bay Natural Area

Tarboo Creek

Permanent protection of critical habitats is the foundation for watershed restoration. Protected land harbors rare, threatened and endangered species, and allows for animals with wide ranges -- such as beaver, bear and cougar -- to migrate. NWI works with cooperating landowners to protect high priority habitats through acquisition or conservation easement, in cooperation with the local land trust.

Restoration

Fish Passage

Before:NWI removes a road culvert that was blocking salmon migration.

After: New bridge allows stream to meander naturally, and for salmon to migrate to spawning grounds in upper Tarboo Creek.

Removing structures that block salmon migration is a highly effective restoration strategy. NWI staff have worked on over 50 fish passage projects in Oregon and Washington to repair or replace road culverts and small dams, remove roads, build bridges, fish ladders, stream simulation culverts, and install culvert modifications.

Streams

Before: Tarboo Creek ran through an eroding ditch, unsheltered by streamside shade and infested with non-native Reed Canary grass.

After: Stream meanders, large wood, snags and in-stream gravel are restored to Tarboo Creek (photo taken prior to replanting).

Historically, many streams in the valleys of the Pacific Northwest were straightened and cleared of streamside vegetation for agriculture. By adding large wood, re-meandering stream channels, and replanting with native vegetation, habitat for fish and wildlife improves. NWI specializes in design and construction of instream restoration projects.

Wetlands

Before:Big Ditch Creek

After:Restored wetlands of Big Ditch Creek

Starting in the 1800s in the Pacific Northwest, many of the productive stream and river valleys were cleared and drained for agriculture or development. NWI has gained experience over the past decade in restoring wetland hydrology and vegetation, which in turn improves flood storage, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitats.

Marine Shorelines

Before: Shoreline bulkhead at Dabob Bay

After: Bulkhead replaced with soft shore design of logs and sloping bank

Armoring shoreline with bulkheads, clearing native riparian vegetation, and stormwater and septic runoff can cause significant impacts to fish and wildlife and water quality in the marine environment. NWI works with willing landowners to improve shoreline conditions where feasible, including removing unstable roads and bulkheads and re-vegetating shorelines.