Local OWEB Project Team and the Partnerships Moving This Work Forward

Our wildfire assessment and recovery work in the Cottage Grove Complex area is powered by a strong team of partners who bring local knowledge, technical skill, and a deep commitment to the Row River Valley. This project is supported by an Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB) grant, and four organizations are collaborating to carry out the work: the Row River Valley Community Partnership, the Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District, the South Coast Watershed Council, and Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days.

Each group plays an important role, and together they are helping us understand how this fire affected the landscape and how we can support long term watershed health and wildfire resilience.

Row River Valley Community Partnership

As the local community organization, RRVCP coordinates landowner outreach, field logistics, and neighborhood engagement. Our role is to serve as the local connection, support on the ground work, and ensure that landowners and community members are part of the process from start to finish. We bring knowledge of local priorities, local history, and the needs of the people who call this valley home.

Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District

The Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District provides essential expertise in soil health, slope stability, vegetation recovery, and erosion concerns. Their staff help interpret field conditions and guide best practices that protect water quality. Their scientific knowledge is critical for understanding how the landscape is responding after the fire.

Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council

The Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council contributes watershed science, restoration planning, and on site ecological assessment. Their team supports our work in riparian areas and helps identify where restoration efforts can provide the greatest long term benefit. Their partnership strengthens our ability to protect sensitive waterways that feed into the larger Willamette system.

Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days

As the cultural and historical partner, the Spirit of Bohemia Mining Days brings valuable insight into the region’s mining heritage and land use history. Their connection to the upper valley and the Bohemia landscape adds important context that helps us understand how past land uses shape present conditions. Their role also supports community storytelling, local identity, and public awareness of the project.

Why This Work Matters

The Cottage Grove Complex burned through steep slopes, tributaries, and forested areas that are vital to the health of the Row River watershed. This project allows us to document natural regeneration, evaluate erosion concerns, study vegetation recovery, and identify areas where restoration would make the most difference.

By combining community engagement, field science, watershed expertise, and historical perspective, this team is ensuring that our approach reflects both the needs of the land and the people who depend on it.

Healthy forests and stable slopes protect water quality, reduce sedimentation, support wildlife habitat, and strengthen our valley’s resilience to future wildfires. The information gathered through this project will guide restoration planning for years to come.

Moving Forward Together

This collaboration is a powerful example of what can happen when multiple organizations come together with a shared purpose. We are grateful for the expertise, effort, and enthusiasm of every partner, and for the landowners who have welcomed us onto their properties.

Together, we are building a clearer understanding of the fire’s impacts and taking meaningful steps toward long term recovery and watershed protection in the Row River Valley.