A $5,000 Grant for Cleanup and Watershed Stewardship
We have good news to share. Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District has awarded RRVCP $5,000 to support community stewardship of the Disston Pathway. We welcome their partnership as we learn more about caring for this land and the waterways that run alongside it.
When Weyerhaeuser donated four miles of the former Old Mill Road to RRVCP in 2025, it placed an important responsibility in our hands. The corridor stretches from the Culp Creek Trailhead to Layng Creek Road, passing through forest and along the Row River and its tributaries. Many of us have known this area for years. Its care matters to the wildlife that lives here, our neighbors, and the communities downstream that depend on this watershed for drinking water.
Volunteers began cleaning up the property last October, removing abandoned vehicles and debris that had accumulated over the years. We appreciate everyone who helped with that difficult work. Dumping continues, and keeping the area clean will take ongoing attention from people who know the corridor and notice when something changes.
Upper Row River and Disston Neighbors: Help Keep Watch
We especially hope residents of Upper Row River and Disston will help keep an eye on the pathway. Those who live nearby are often the first to notice newly dumped trash, unfamiliar vehicles entering the corridor, or a vehicle that appears to have been left behind. Your observations can help us respond sooner, discourage further dumping, and prevent another abandoned vehicle from becoming a lengthy and costly cleanup.
If you notice something concerning, please let RRVCP know where it is and when you saw it. A vehicle description or photograph can help when it can be gathered safely. Please keep your distance and leave any confrontation or investigation to the appropriate authorities. We are asking neighbors to help us stay informed so we can arrange cleanup or pass concerns along to those equipped to address them.
The grant will support our Old Mill Road Watershed Stewards pilot by helping coordinate volunteers, share information, provide cleanup supplies and safety equipment, and pay for hauling and disposal. Participants will also learn to recognize concerns such as erosion, drainage problems, invasive plants, and unusual water conditions. What we observe together will help guide the care of the pathway and identify places where we need advice from our conservation partners.
Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District is also actively investigating the burn scar left by the Cottage Grove Complex Fire to better understand conditions that could affect a safe, clean watershed. We appreciate their continued work in the valley and welcome the knowledge they bring to our community.
As organized cleanup plans come together, we’ll share opportunities through the Row River Review, our website, and community meetings. If you live near the pathway and would like to help, please contact us at info (at) rowrivervalley.org or programs (at) rowrivervalley.org. We would be glad to hear what you’re seeing and welcome your ideas for looking after this familiar part of our valley.
Interested in supporting the Disston Pathway Community Walk & Cleanup?
Join us at Think Tank Tuesdays
1st Tuesday of the month @ 5:30pm
Little White Church
37553 Row River Rd, Dorena, OR 97434
Enjoy the Sights and Sounds of Brice Creek near Wildwood Falls
Capture a glimpse of the sounds (available at bottom of video) and a close-up view of the Row River Tributary near Wildwood Falls. You’ll find plenty of tranquility visiting the Row River Valley. Join us in the stewardship of this beautiful and secluded piece of Lane County’s upper Row River Valley.
