Restoration Values

Bear Creek, the most urbanized watershed in southern Oregon, is lined by dense colonies of invasive plants with sparse areas of native vegetation; it experiences chronic water quality issues such as low summer flows, high summer water temperatures, and high nutrient and bacteria loads. These conditions negatively impact native fish and wildlife, create safety issues for users of the 25-mile long Bear Creek Greenway, and increase the risk of fire. In the face of these conditions, Rogue Valley organizations, municipalities, and advocacy groups remain committed to increasing the ecological and recreational value of Bear Creek and its riparian corridor.

Click on the images below to find out Bear Creek Restoration Initiative’s restoration values. Please use these resources widely; contact us if you would like further information, have questions, or would like BCRI to present to your community.

Hazard Trees

Stream Habitat +
Floodplain Connectivity

Invasive Plant
Species Management

Infrastructure
Protection

Riparian
Vegetation

Reseeding

Reseeding with
Barley Grass

Bear Creek
Long Term Vision

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The Bear Creek Restoration Initiative Final Report is the guiding document for BCRI-focused work and was created by analyzing existing planning documents. Want to know more about the history of restoration planning documents for Bear Creek? You've come to the right place.

1. Bear Creek Corridor Post-Almeda Fire Vegetation Assessment (2022)

2. Bear Creek Master Plan (City of Medford 2003).

3. Bear Creek Greenway Management Plan (RVCOG 2005)

4. Bear Creek Greenway Management Plan: Bear Creek JPA (2017-2022)

5. Bear Creek Watershed Total Maximum Daily Load (ODEQ 2007).

6. Final Recovery Plan for the Southern Oregon/Northern California Coast

7. Rogue Restoration Action Plan (RBP 2015).

8. Rogue Basin Cohesive Forest Restoration Strategy: A Collaborative Vision for Resilient Landscapes and Fire Adapted Communities (Metlan et al. 2015).

9. Oregon Conservation Strategy (Strategy) (ODFW 2016).

10. Bear Creek Greenway Long-Term Vegetation Management Plan (Plan) (RVCOG 2017).

Banner photo credit: SeaRun Media. All other image credits: Rogue Basin Partnership