Planting success at Cornerstone

It takes teamwork, determination, and a bit of rain to make a meaningful impact during the native planting season, and that’s exactly what happened during two Friday planting events in November. Volunteers for the Polk SWCD and Institute for Applied Ecology joined a crew of AmeriCorps members to plant thousands of native riparian and prairie species, bringing 25 acres of critical grass habitat closer to its former glory.


A Rainy-Day Riparian Planting Event:
The first event, with significant rains coming down, enthusiastic community volunteers gathered at Cornerstone to focus on riparian restoration. Alongside SWCD staff, the group planted a diverse range of native plants critical for supporting stable stream banks and floodplains, improving water quality, and supporting local wildlife.
The planting included various riparian shrubs and trees, such as willows, red alders, and native dogwoods. These species play an essential role in preventing erosion, filtering runoff, and providing habitat for amphibians, birds, and pollinators.
The rain is more of an ally thana hindrance to the plants, ensuring our heavy clay and silt soils had been loosened up enough for easy planting and also provide the freshly installed roots with plenty of water. By the end of the day, the volunteers had successfully transformed the site, setting the stage for long-term ecological benefits.
Volunteer and staff spirits remained high as the crew took in the tangible difference their efforts made by the end of the day – just as the sun began to shine!
Prairie Planting Blitz with AmeriCorps and Volunteers:
The following week brought another incredible opportunity to get hands dirty—this time on a much larger scale. On November 7th, AmeriCorps members planted 1,804 Kincaid’s lupine(Lupinus oreganus) plugs in preparation for a collaborative planting day with volunteers at Cornerstone the following day. This federally listed species is vital for supporting the endangered Fender’s blue butterfly, and the penultimate goal of this restoration partnership between the Polk SWCD and IAE.


Eight AmeriCorps members partnered with more community volunteers for a marathon planting session on the prairie restoration fields just to the west and uphill from the previous week’s work. The numbers alone are impressive:

• 3,087 Willamette daisy plugs another federally listed species critical to prairie health.
  
• 1,500 Delphinium oreganum corms, adding vibrant color and pollinator habitat.
  
• 300 Camassia leichtlinii bulbs, a favorite of early pollinators and cultivated by indigenous peoples.
  
• 300 Wyethia angustifolia bare roots, an Aster known for their resilience and wildlife benefits.
  
• 300 Iris tenax bare roots, the quintessential Oregon iris.
  
• 300 Geranium oreganum bare roots, for added soil stability and ground cover.
  
• 200 Heuchera chlorantha plugs, beloved by hummingbirds and bees.
  
  ​The collaboration between AmeriCorps and local volunteers exemplifies the power of partnerships in restoration. The group’s coordinated efforts ensured that over 6,000 plants found their new homes in just one day!