Introduction of Sidalcea hendersonii to Dean Creek ACEC, Coos Bay District BLM

The objective of this project was to establish a new population of Sidalcea hendersonii at Dean Creek Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) along the Umpqua River Valley. This multi-year project included two  reintroduction events at Dean Creek ACEC in 2008 and 2009. 306 individuals were planted along transects within four different areas of Dean Creek ACEC. The four outplanting areas within Dean Creek ACEC are Spruce Reach Island, Yellow Flag, Owl, and Slough.  These plants were then monitored during the summers of 2009 and 2010 to determine the survival and reproductive status of each outplanted individuals.

Reintroduction efforts at Dean Creek ACEC have yielded high survival rates of Sidalcea hendersonii. Dean Creek ACEC now represents the second largest population of S. hendersonii in Oregon. The work at Dean Creek ACEC has resulted in the additional benefit of providing momentum for additional S. hendersonii introductions; in 2009, IAE introduced almost 300 plants to the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge  and in May 2010, approximately 80 plants were planted at Cox Island to supplement the naturally occurring population. We recommend that future coastal restoration efforts consider including S. hendersonii in their planting designs.