Think Wild Volunteer Day launches habitat restoration project in Prineville

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Think Wild invited volunteers to help launch a new habitat restoration project Thursday in Prineville.

The Crooked River Native Plant Stewardship Project, in partnership with Crook County Parks and Recreation, aims to turn a degraded riverside lot into a thriving native garden.

Volunteers assisted with solarization, an eco-friendly, sun-powered method of preparing soil for native planting by laying out tarps over a 20,000-square-foot site adjacent to Crooked River Park.

“We’re getting a good workout in,” said volunteer Kelly Sosa. “Sweaty and tired, but it’s really rewarding seeing it all come together.”

Ecology students from Central Oregon Community College were also there to help out.

“I brought my students out here for a lab to do something engaging with local ecology," said Dr. Maureen Thompson,  Think Wild’s Beaver Works program manager. "It ended up being a great opportunity because some of these students have never been to Prineville before.”

To volunteer or support the Crooked River Native Plant Stewardship Project, contact Hannah Wuerfel at hannah@thinkwildco.org.