Workshop Resources (Slides, Handouts)

Logistics

What To Bring

​Participants will be out in the field, building instream structures. We will be in the mountains in June and exposed to the elements, so prepare for anything (i.e. pouring rain, snow, blistering heat). We recommend lots of layers, and work clothes.  Absolutely no sandals or flip-flops! 






For field tour you will want:

• Closed toed work boots or wading boots.
• Hat/sunglasses
• Waders (breathable chest waders recommended, hip waders can suffice; if you can't get your own, please contact us ahead of time with your shoe size and height; we have a few extra we can bring).
• Water Bottle
• Sun Screen
• Bug spray (we will be working in an area with ticks)
• Something to write on (e.g. clipboard or field notebook) and something to write with (pencil or pen)
• Camera/Phone (optional)

For the construction exercises on Day 1 & Day  2, we will provide safety gear and protective equipment, but you may choose to bring your own (if you have them):

• Work gloves
• Hard Hat (for all construction activities)
• Ear protection (for post pounder)
• Safety glasses

A change of clothes for the field may be advisable.

Beyond that, expect to get wet and muddy and to roll up your sleeves and have fun. 

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Agenda

This will be a packed 2-days. Plan on a full​ two days, but with lots of time for discussion, and learning by doing. 

Day 1 - Restoring Process and Function in Riparian Areas

• 8 AM - 10:30ish - Classroom Session - Introductions, Background & Context, Reading the Riparian Landscape
• 10:30ish to 3:00 - TNC Rock Creek Ranch Field Tour + Building your First BDA 
• 3:00 - 6:00 - Classroom Session - Restoring Processes & Function in Riparian Areas
• 6:30 - 8:30 - Evening Social  Dinner & Lecture from Jay Wilde

Day 2 - Implementing BDAs as Low-Cost Restoration Tools

• 8 AM - 9:00ish - Classroom Session - Adaptive Management, Pilots, Maintenance & Expectation Management
• 9ish to 3:30  - TNC Rock Creek Ranch - Design & Implementation Exercises 
• 3:30 to 5:00 - Synthesis Discussions @ the Ranch - Regulatory Context in Idaho; Where to Go From Here
• 5:00 - Departures from the Ranch

background preparation

If you would like to do a little background reading prior to the workshop, you may find the following helpful:

Recommended Reading

We will be doing all our work in Rock Creek. For a little background on what we're doing there in the workshop, you may find the Supplement to the Stream Bed Alteration Permit Application helpful:

Rock Creek Workshop BDA Permit Supplement
File Size:	5029 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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Local Partners & Sponsors

• Trisha Cracroft the NRCS Idaho State  Biologist, is the workshop lead organizer. 
• Derek Mynear - the new Sagebrush Landscape Restoration Specialist for Idaho (NRCS & Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commision)

We are grateful to our local partners and hosts from the Nature Conservancy and Wood River Land Trust:

• David Weskamp - TNC Conservation Manager for Eastern Idaho​

workshop   made possible by:

Thanks to the generous support of the Natural Resource Conservation Service's Sage Grouse Initiative and Working Lands for Wildlife Initiative, a grant through Pheasants Forever to Utah State University's Restoration Consortium and Joe Wheaton's ET-AL lab are able to deliver a series of workshops to NRCS conservationists and their partners throughout the west. This series was envisioned by Jeremy Maestas (NRCS/SGI) and is possible thanks to partner matches by various local organizations in each state (see each state page) and matching funds from Utah State University.

Instruction Team

Joe Wheaton  (USU, Anbranch Solutions)

Jeremy Maestas (NRCS, West NTSC)

Nick Bouwes  (USU, ELR, Anbranch Solutions)

Scott Shahveridan (USU, Anbranch Solutions)

Jay Wilde (Diamondback W Ranch)

Trisha Cracroft (NRCS)

​Nick Weber (ELR, Anabranch Solutions, USU)

​Derek Minear (Idaho Soil & Water Conservation Commision)

David Weskamp (TNC)

Thanks to our hosts!

Thanks to a partnership and matching support from the Nature Conservancy, the workshop will be held in Hailey, Idaho at the Blaine County Community Center. 

The classroom portion of the workshop will be held at:
   Blaine County School District #61
   Community Campus in the Minnie Moore Room.
   1050 Fox Acres Road.
   Hailey, Idaho 8333  3
The field portion will be held at The Nature Conservancy's Rock Creek Ranch, just 10 miles outside of town.

Wood River Inn

A variety of lodging options are available in Hailey, Idaho. David Weskamp has reserved a block of rooms for 6/19 through 6/21 at the Wood River Inn under the Group Code 18BRD (or Beaver & Restoration Design Workshop) for a reduced rate of $110.50 per night (excluding tax). Guests may call 208-578-0600 and ask for group bock or may book online at www.woodriverinn.com by entering code 18BRD ​in the promotional box. Rooms will be based on availability after release date of May 1st.

All Hailey, Idaho Lodging Options

Workshop Registration information

​Primary Learning Outcomes
This workshop will bring together NRCS conservationists and partners in Idaho interested in how to use beaver, and beaver dam analogues, as low-cost tools to restore riparian areas to benefit wildlife and working lands. Participants will come away with:

1. An appreciation of beaver ecology and the complex feedbacks between beaver activity, hydrogeomorphic responses, riparian vegetation and ecology;
2. Exposure to ways in which beaver and beaver dam analogues can be used as restoration tool to mitigate specific impairments;
3. Introduction to considerations in planning, permitting, design and building such restoration projects;
4. Knowledge of how to use adaptive management in managing expectations about beaver as a restoration agent and/or nuisance impacts;
5. First-hand experience designing and building some beaver dam analogues;
6. A chance to interact with experienced practitioners & share perspectives

Due to limited space, registration, is by invitation only. We capped attendance at 30 participants. RSVP early to ensure your spot.

REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED.

RSVP Trisha Cracroft (NRCS) to Register

Idaho SGI NRCS Workshop Flyer
File Size:	912 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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