TRIP: Willow Planting at Strawberry River
DATE: May 7-8, 2021
LOCAL COMMUNITY STORY: “National, State, and Local Fishers, Hunters, and Conservationists Work Together Planting Willows at Strawberry”. Bonneville Fly Fishers (BFF) joined forces with High Country Fly Fishers (HCFF) of Park City, Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR), and the US Forest Service (USFS) to plant 1100 willows along the Strawberry River headwaters north of US Hwy 40. The goal was to rehabilitate the river so that it will maintain adequate water flow in the late summer to allow the newly hatched, wild, and native Bonneville Cutthroat trout to make their way from the spring spawning grounds to Strawberry Reservoir in the fall.
DESCRIPTION: On May 7th and 8th, volunteers from BFF, HCFF, Utah Trout Unlimited (TU) Council, Stone Fly Society, UDWR and UDWR Dedicated Hunters, US Forest Service, Spring Creek Landscaping, Harmon’s Grocers, teachers, students, and interested family members and friends formed a small but effective army (60 people in all, many who came for both days) for willow planting. This hearty crew, bearing shovels and pickaxes and gloves, hiked into the planting site and planted all 1100 willows.
For a bird’s eye view of the planting area and an inspiring video of this worthwhile work done by volunteers, see the following video:
https://youtu.be/exaG0hBOg3c (copy and paste address into your browser)
Many thanks to the BFF volunteers who helped with the planting, and a special thanks to Pappy Blevins who helped hugely with Friday’s lunch delivery.
Jayne G, HCFF Conservation Committee Chair; Pat R and Bruce P, Embrace A Stream 2021 Co-Chairs
