Green Island is the pride and joy of McKenzie River Trust. This island, over 1,000 acres in size is located just west of the town of Coburg and is formed by the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. It was purchased from the Green Family by MRT in 2003.

This area is critical habitat for a plethora of listed threatened and endangered as well as non-listed species. Inhabitants include osprey, American beaver, spring Chinook salmon, bull trout, Oregon chub, great blue heron, western pond turtle, red-legged frog as well as a myriad of migratory song birds and waterfowl. Motivated to protect the species of the area, MRT began setting objectives and designing and implementing restoration projects to enhance and expand habitat. 

Green Island Restoration Objectives

• Protect and restore native vegetation on site within the broader context of Willamette River riparian ecosystem restoration.
  

• Restore the area's historic hydrologic processes in an effort to create a dynamic connection between the river and the floodplain, enabling flood events to alter the course of the river to create new habitats, including islands, side channels, alcoves, wetlands, and sloughs.

• Identify, protect and promote indigenous fish, wildlife and invertebrate species and their associated native habitats with an emphasis on listed and at-risk species.

• Protect and enhance over 20 miles of riparian habitat. (The McKenzie River contains the last sustainable run of wild Spring Chinook salmon in the Willamette Basin. The primary limiting factor for recovery is the loss of side channel habitat).
  

Restoration Projects

Invasive Weed Control

The Trust continually relies on the strong backs of volunteers and partners to help us control invasive weeds like Scot's broom, Himalayan blackberry and tansy.

Levee Removal

Earthen levees were removed in fall of 2007 allowing high-flow waters to breech banks and recapture natural floodplain areas which increase aquatic habitat.

Reforestation

To date over 12,00 native trees have been planted on Green Island with many more to come. These trees will grow to become a gallery forest and provide refuge for terrestrial animals.

Species Surveys

Fish and reptile surveys are conducted on Green Island regularly to monitor populations.

Maps

North Half Riparian Restoration Schedule 2005-2010 (2.24 MB)

Conceptual Habitat Map (2.42 MB)