Virtual Field Trip to Birch Creek
In our in-person workshops, we usually take participants into the field to visit an actual low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) project. Seeing a real riverscape suffering from “structural starvation,” and then observing a successful LTPBR restoration on the ground, helps you fully grasp what’s possible.
There is no substitute for meeting Jay Wilde in person and seeing what the beaver have done to Birch Creek, Idaho thanks to his efforts. Getting into the water and mud really makes these concepts click. This page recreates as much of that experience as possible through a virtual field trip.
More About Birch Creek & Jay’s Story
👉 LTPBR Birch Creek, Utah — Jay Wilde’s Story
Topic Covered in WATS Classes
For those of you in WATS 5350 Capstone or the Fall 2020 WATS 4950 Restoration Principles, this page substitutes for part of the field trip held on September 18, 2020.
Birch Creek Field Tour
Guided Virtual Tour
In this 90-minute video, you’ll join Jay Wilde and Joe Wheaton on a virtual tour along Birch Creek. They guide you through a series of stops and stories much like an in-person class visit — only here, you can pause or fast forward whenever you want!
Where is this?
We begin at the Birch Creek Trailhead
7767 East Birch Creek Road, Preston, ID 83263
From there, the group travels up through Jay’s ranch and onto U.S. Forest Service land (FS Road 1054) to the Mill Hollow/Birch Creek confluence. If conditions are wet, high-clearance 4WD vehicles are recommended. It is about a 10–15 minute drive.
We then wander around Birch Creek and into Mill Hollow for a final wrap-up discussion.