Join Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) for a riparian restoration project along Fall Creek in west-central Alberta. The project involves planting willow plugs adjacent to Fall Creek. This is a great opportunity to help learn about bioengineering and riparian restoration, and help improve the health of Fall Creek, an important Bull Trout stream in the Ram River watershed.

The goal of the project is to add deep-rooted, native woody plants along the creek bank to help add strength to the soils, stabilize the bank, and prevent excess erosion. Willow planting is a bioengineering technique which helps speed up recovery of disturbed sites like this.

Fall Creek is a tributary to the Ram River and is an important stream for native Bull Trout. Extensive off-highway vehicle (OHV) use in and around Fall Creek had damaged the riparian habitat and even diverted water flow from the natural channel into the OHV trail increasing erosion and sedimentation in the stream. By decomissioning the undesignated OHV trails and completing extensive bioengineering and tree planting, TUC and Alberta Environment and Parks are working to restore the overall health of Fall Creek to improve the health of the Bull Trout population.

Lunch and water will be provided (please bring a refillable water bottle). All tools and equipment will be provided; please dress appropriately for field work.

The meeting location will be at the Tim Hortons in Rocky Mountain House (4403 41 Ave, Rocky Mountain House, AB T4T 1A6). We will then carpool to the site.