Herbert Farm and Natural Area Restoration Plan – Phase 1: 2013-2017

This 5-year restoration plan outlines habitat restoration activities to occur within the City of Corvallis Herbert Farm and Natural Area (HFNA). The HFNA is a 221 acre property in Benton County at the southern edge of Corvallis, and was purchased by the City of Corvallis (the City) in 2000. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) hold a conservation easement that preserves and protects the conservation values of the property in perpetuity as a BPA mitigation site for the Willamette Basin federal hydro-electric dams and reservoirs. The property is bordered by Marys River and Muddy Creek, and it has remnant flood channels and swales that were formed by the rivers during previous floods. This plan begins the phased conversion of approximately 170 acres of agricultural field to riparian and upland or wet prairie, along with the enhancement of existing upland, riparian and restoration of oak woodland and savanna. This restoration plan includes a description of current and desired future conditions, a restoration strategy for each habitat type that includes site preparation, planting strategy and maintenance, along with a monitoring plan and management activities for the 5 year period. Development and implementation of this plan has been a collaborative process between the City of Corvallis, the Institute for Applied Ecology, ODFW, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.