2024 Low-Tech Riverscape Restoration Workshop, Sisters, OR

Sisters, OR | Low-Tech Process Based Restoration Field Workshop

July 23-24, 2024

Workshop Description

The USU Restoration Consortium has partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service West National Technology Support Center and the Bureau of Land Management’s Aquatic Resources Program to develop a standardized training series for Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration.

This course is offered as part of CEWA 5624 - Implementation of Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration for NRCS & BLM employees to satisfy LTPBR Level 2 training requirements. For students who have not participated in the Level 1 & 2 Training series, we will introduce Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR) day 1 of the workshop. On day 2 of the workshop, students will construct LTPBR structures just outside of Sisters, OR.

Agenda

Classroom Instruction - Day 1 | July 23, 2024

  • Day 1 - Introduction to Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration - 1PM to 5 PM with evening dinner starting at 6:30. This section is intended as an introduction to LTPBR for workshop participants who did not take the Level 2 LTPBR course in the Spring. If you did attend the Level 2 course, you are welcome to join for the classroom portion Day 1, but it is not required.

Day 1 will be held at the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge

Day 1 Evening Dinner Social - Best Western Ponderosa Lodge

We will enjoy an evening dinner at the Best Western Ponderosa Lodge Please arrive any time between 6:00 and 6:30 PM. Dinner will begin being served around 6:30ish PM, and we will hear rancher Jay Wilde’s story of bringing back beaver to his ranch beginning at 7:00. We will wrap sometime between 8:30 and 9:00. We will have a vegetarian option available. If your dietary restrictions require something different, please feel free to bring your own food.


Learn More about
Jay Wilde's Birch Creek Story

Construction - Day 2 | July 24, 2024

  • Day 2 - Implementing Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (field all-day) - 8 AM to 3 PM

We will meet at the construction site on Whychus Creek (44.319017, -121.512747) located ~10 minutes outside of Sisters, OR. Parking is limited, so please carpool as much as possible.

Course Materials

Slides, Videos & Handouts

Module 1 - Intro
Slides , Recorded Lectures and Exercises Module 2 - Science
Slides , Recorded Lectures and Exercises Module 3 - Planning
Slides , Recorded Lectures and Exercises Module 4 - Design
Slides , Recorded Lectures and Exercises Module 5 - Implementation
Slides , Recorded Lectures and Exercises

Workshop Textbooks

Mandatory Texts - Free digital versions are available below and hard copies of the Design Manual and the Pocket Guide. Print copies of manual are available for ~ $60 on Amazon or on BookBaby. Waterproof copies of the pocket guide will be provided to participants.

Instruction Team

Workshop

Joseph Wheaton1,2

Professor of Riverscapes

Jeremy Maestas3

​ Ecologist

Instructor Affiliations

1.

2.

3.

Logistics

Registration

Registration is free, but is by invitation only. Contact Dominique Shore for more information.

Lodging

We have secured a group rate at the GrandStay Hotel & Suites in Sisters, OR of $225 for 7/23 & 7/24. To reserve a room, call the hotel at 541-904-0967 and say you are part of the BLM/NRCS group. Book before June 9th to reserve the rate.

Field Gear

This is a hands-on workshop. For the field portions, we will be hiking and working on real construction projects. Your safety is our top priority, but you are the most important person in ensuring your safety and comfort. So bring common sense. Our workshop is in the Summer, and it is expected to be very hot. We will be hiking through and doing work in small, wadeable streams. We recommend you wet wade or wear boots. Please note that closed-toe shoes are required. Wear work clothing suitable for a construction site. You also should bring whatever outdoor clothing and gear to keep yourself comfortable. Layers, coats, gloves, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a dry change of clothes for afterwards are all a must.

We will provide you with basic personal protective equipment (PPEs like work gloves, eye protection, hard hats, ear protection).

If you have any allergies or medical conditions that we should be aware of, please notify your instructor.

Meals, Snacks

Meals are provided with your registration to help us run the workshop more efficiently, as follows:

  • Day 1 (Classroom)

    • Dinner provided

  • Day 2 (Field Construction Day)

    • No breakfast or coffee provided (come fueled up and caffinated)
    • Bag lunches, snacks and beverages provided in field. We will have a vegetarian option available. If your dietary restrictions require something different, please feel free to bring your own food. Please bring your own water bottle.
    • On your own for dinner.

    We will make sure that for snacks and meals there are some gluten-free options, but those with other dietary restrictions should make other arrangements.

Emergency Preparedness

In the event of an emergency, most of our field and classroom locatios have cell reception of dialing 911. We will have some First Responder certified participants and instructors, and we will have first aid kits available. The closest Emergency Room is:

St. Charles Redmond
1253 Northwest Canal Boulevard, Redmond, OR 97756
541-548-8131

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