BPA employees help restore Beaver Creek for Earth Day

BPA employees put muscle behind their passion for the environment at a watershed restoration event held on Earth Day (May 1) at Beaver Creek in Troutdale, Ore. A team of employee volunteers joined representatives from SOLVE (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism -- Everyone) to remove invasive plants and restore native plants along the banks of this small creek, near the confluence with the Sandy River.

The restoration is part of an eight-year effort by SOLVE to restore this small urban stream.

The crew of energetic volunteers included members of BPA's Sustainability Team as well as employees from Environment, Fish and Wildlife; Power Services; and Transmission Services. For about three hours that afternoon, they pulled invasive ivy and mustard garlic, and applied weed barriers and stakes to encourage native willow and dogwood to take root along the creek banks. As a final hurrah, they hurled old Christmas trees off a bridge and into the creek. The trees will lodge along the side of the creek providing habitat and hiding spots for salmon fry and other critters.

The event was organized by the BPA Sustainability Team and the BPA Volunteer Program.