Practical guidelines for wetland prairie restoration in the Willamette Valley, Oregon: Field-tested methods and techniques

The science of wetland prairie restoration has made significant strides in recent years, building on lessons learned locally in Oregon and Washington and on applied research and practice from around the country. The content of this guide is based on a variety of sources including the findings of several EPA funded replicated field experiments conducted in the West Eugene Wetlands area between 2006 and 2013, extensive literature reviews, and lessons learned over nearly two decades of on-the-ground experience by the West Eugene Wetlands Mitigation Bank (and Coyote Prairie North Mitigation Bank). The guide focus is on restoration in agricultural lands, in part because a large percentage of the historic wetland prairie lands have been converted to agricultural uses and therefore some of the greatest potential for large scale restoration exists in these areas. However, Chapter 6, which is related to long-term management of wetland prairies for maintaining diversity and limiting invasion by non-native plants, is applicable to the management of all types of wetland prairies including remnant and degraded areas. The guide includes information on the history and ecology of Willamette Valley wetland prairies and all phases of the restoration process. Chapters 4-6 provide in-depth information on site preparation, establishment, and long-term management. Appendices include a comprehensive list of vascular plants found in prairies of the region, description of notable Willamette Valley wetland prairie sites, and recommended seeding rates.