FT 11

CANCELLED Multi-Benefit Riparian Restoration in California’s Great Central Valley: The Bear and Feather River Levee Setback Projects

California’s Great Central Valley was once composed of broad swaths of dense riparian forests, sprawling oak woodlands, and a network of rivers, ox-bow lakes, sloughs, and wetlands. Now, approximately 95% of historical riparian habitat has been lost or altered, replaced by highly intensive agriculture and other land uses. Active river processes have been critically altered by a sophisticated network of dams, levees for flood protection, and agricultural diversions. The provision of critical ecosystem services (e.g., flood protection and attenuation, habitat, and recreation) by riparian communities has been dramatically reduced. In response, large-scale riparian restoration projects are increasingly implemented in the region to enhance diverse ecosystem services and to provide multiple benefits for people and the land. Come spend the day touring* innovative, multi-benefit riparian restoration projects at the Bear River and Feather River Levee Setbacks. These projects offer 2,200 acres of opportunities to reduce flood risk, reconnect the floodplain, and enhance ecosystem function while withstanding urbanization and protecting the local community’s agricultural roots.  Topics include: arranging native vegetation for flood protection and attenuation, providing structure for species recovery and habitat connectivity, integrating riparian restoration into agricultural landscapes, and enhancing diverse ecosystem services. Participants will be joined by staff from River Partners, a California non-profit specializing in multi-benefit riparian restoration, in addition to experts from the private sector and the Three Rivers Levee Improvement Authority. Participants will get a compelling glimpse of the interdisciplinary approach to multi-benefit riparian restoration that reestablishes structure and function along two major rivers in California.**

*We are planning to include a short kayak/raft trip between the two sites - this will add novelty to the proposed trip by allowing participants to get an "on-the-river" perspective (The raft trip portion of this field trip has been cancelled because of low water level.)

**The proposed field trip is linked to the proposed Organized Oral Session Riparian Ecology, Management, and Restoration in California’s Great Central Valley.