Upper Bear Creek Watershed Project
SOLC is pleased to announce our Upper Bear Creek Watershed Project. Many people know how special the Bear Creek watershed is. We would love to help keep it that way.
The Bear Creek watershed is a key watershed in Southern Oregon. Bear Creek, along with its feeder creeks, is an important tributary to the Rogue River. It provides critical habitat for recovering native fish populations. Ongoing riparian and in-stream restoration activities conducted by our partners continue to improve the water quality and fish habitat of Bear Creek.
The watershed also provides important contiguous habitat for native wildlife, as it is linked to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and corridors to the western Cascade, Siskiyou, and Klamath ranges. With cliffs and rock outcroppings, along with wonders like Grizzly Peak and Pilot Rock, and the forested slopes around Ashland, the watershed provides the scenic backdrop for the southern Rogue Valley. It is also abundant in recreation opportunities.
Key habitats in the project area include the mixed-evergreen forests of the southwestern Siskiyous, pine-oak woodlands, rimrock, and grasslands of the Cascade foothills, and mixed-conifer forests and meadows in the upper elevations. This area also captures a portion of the municipal watershed for the City of Ashland.
Photo by Martin Zukis
Photo by Frank Lospalluto
The largest population centers in Southern Oregon are located in the Bear Creek watershed. This means that the watershed faces increasing pressure from development. Subdivision of contiguous land, subsequent development, and conversion of lands with high conservation values all have the potential to negatively impact watershed integrity, fragment important habitats, and impair forest ecology. Regional conservation plans show that the priorities for the watershed revolve around reducing land conversion, development and fragmentation, and improving water quality and streamside habitat.
Project Objectives
Compile the most current available information about the biodiversity and ecology of the area so we are informed about the status of the watershed
Converse with the land conservation community in the watershed regarding conservation priorities and build on existing partnerships and efforts
Discover where opportunity and watershed function intersect to yield tangible conservation projects where we can protect special lands in the watershed in perpetuity
Efforts like these help keep special places in Southern Oregon special.
Bear Creek Watershed Project
Conservation Values
Upper Bear Creek Valley Overall Conservation Values
Beautiful views from the Upper Bear Creek Valley of contrasting grassland & forest
Natural grasslands and forest store significant carbon
Adjacent to the globally outstanding Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument and United States Forest Service lands
Critical connectivity & wildlife corridors
Important working forests, farms, and ranches
Cascade Foothills: Grassland, Oak Woodland, Rimrock
Haven for grassland birds in steep decline including the Western Meadowlark
Habitat for one of the largest breeding colonies of Grasshopper Sparrows in Oregon
Important winter ground for very uncommon raptors such as Rough-legged Hawk, Shorteared Owl, and Burrowing Owl
Critical winter grazing for deer and elk
Striking rimrock formations provide nesting for Golden Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, and Barn Owls
Healthy oak woodlands support more animal species than any other habitat, from elk to bluebirds
Rare plants such as Southern Oregon buttercup, Baker’s globemallow, and roundleaf filaree
Siskiyou Forests: Mixed Evergreen & Montane Forest, Meadow
Ashland’s water supply originates from the wet meadows and forests
Forest habitat for rare Northern Spotted Owl, Goshawk, and Pacific fisher
Outstanding opportunities for outdoor recreation
The Neil Creek subwatershed is especially water-rich
Lovely mountain pollinator meadows full of springs & seeps
