Bear Creek Restoration Initiative (BCRI) Restoration Map
This story map highlights known work completed, planned, or in progress related to restoration and invasive species management.
Map 1: BCRI Restoration Map (all data)
Map Use
This map provides an overview of all the data for the map (e.g., restoration, invasive species,). Refer to the other maps in the collection to view maps highlighting riparian condition zones (RCZs), invasive species management specific, and other projects (e.g., floodplains, pollinator gardens, signage, etc.).
Background on the Bear Creek Restoration Initiative (BCRI)
The BCRI formed in early 2019 following the Penninger Fire that burned 123 acres along Bear Creek in Central Point. A forum of interested organizations focused on restoring the Bear Creek riparian corridor as a unit was convened to discuss restoration needs and changes were impacting strategies over the last 20 years. Through those discussions, the need for a meaningful dialogue among multiple sectors (such as law enforcement, emergency response, recreation, and social service providers that work with the unhoused population) was necessary to develop “restoration actions” along this urbanized stream. It became clear that a balance between a truly “wild” riparian area with abundant native vegetation and a “heavily managed and manipulated” streamside area with sparse vegetation and lots of infrastructure (including the Bear Creek greenway) was emerging as the vision for the Bear Creek corridor. This corridor would provide an inviting and safe place for recreation, the opportunity to fight wildfire at various points along the corridor’s length, a wide belt of native forest and intact floodplain that provides habitat conditions for a variety of wildlife and benefits to water quality. The BCRI is a renewed effort that takes traditional restoration perspectives and adds social and public safety components to the mix to address the issues facing Bear Creek.
Data contributors to the map include the Rogue Valley Council of Governments (RVCOG), the Freshwater Trust (TFT), Rogue River Watershed Council (RRWC), and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Projects represented include Jackson County, Central Point, Talent, Phoenix, Ashland, and Medford. In addition, the map includes 2019 BCRI priority projects. The project list is comprehensive based on the data we have, but it should be noted that there are projects that may be missed and/or not yet added.
Maps are being updated with new data on an ongoing basis. Please contact gstabachATrvcog.org with questions or to submit data for the map. Shapefiles or Google Earth are preferred.
