Garrard Creek Riparian Restoration with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).
In 2001, Wild Thyme Farm planted nearly 3,000 trees on a 5.5 acre pasture in the flood plain of Garrard Creek, a tributary of the Chehalis River in eastern Grays Harbor County. The objective was to convert bare cattle pasture and eroding stream banks into a multi-species native forest to provide shade and habitat for the benefit of salmon and other wildlife species in the riparian corridor. By replacing the essential woody architecture that was removed a century ago, the creek will be able to re-create itself with the structural complexity of an old-growth forest, full of pools, riffles, sunken logs and overhanging trees. Take a look at the progress and setbacks of this project's first 8 years:
