Willow Grove Advance Wetland Mitigation

Native plantings and multi-year invasive species management help regenerate biodiversity and ecological function to 300 acres of scrub-shrub wetland accessible only by watercraft.

In a multi-year partnership with the Port of Longview, the Biohabitats Construction team restored 300 acres of scrub-shrub wetland in Willow Grove Park that had become overrun with invasive reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea).

In the first year of the project, Biohabitats mowed and brushed the site’s invasive species and installed native plants such as Columbia River willow (Salix Columbiana), Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis), Pacific willow (Salix lucida). and black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. Trichocarpa). Augmented annually by the Biohabitats Construction team, the native plantings are overtaking the invasives and increasing biodiversity, habitat, and ecological function over time. Utilizing a vessel to transport crew and plant material to remote site locations, the team has overcome unique access challenges associated with high tides and river flows and implement tasks on time and within budget.

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• Construction