Restoration Project Spotlight: Ohio River Foundation Completes Large-Scale Live Staking Restoration Project

Ohio River Foundation completed a large-scale restoration project thanks to $50K Global Water Challenge and Cargill Grant. ORF planted more than 15,000 live stakes along Great Miami River tributary which will grow into trees that help prevent stream banks from erosion.

Ohio River Foundation (ORF) received a $50,000 grant from Global Water Challenge (GWC) and Cargill. The new program managed by GWC and Cargill Currents North America, is partnering with non-profit organizations to address water challenges faced by communities in Cargill’s priority U.S. watersheds.

The grant supports ORF’s restoration activities designed to create and restore climate change-resilient riparian habitats. Specifically, the funds supported ORF’s large-scale restoration initiative at Twin Creek stream, a tributary of the Great Miami River. ORF’s restoration team installed 15,425 live stakes along nearly six miles of the stream in Lewisburg and Germantown, Ohio this spring.

Live staking is a technique where branches of trees and shrubs are cut while the tree is dormant and then planted in the soil, usually along stream banks. The branches will grow into trees and their root networks will reduce erosion and sedimentation and mitigate pollution of water systems ultimately leading to cleaner water in this stream.

“This area is currently very biologically rich but starting to see early signs of erosion. Live staking along these riparian areas will further protect the streams in this beautiful recreation area, create more climate resilient habitats, and it will reduce the amount of pollution that travels toward larger streams and tributaries that eventually make their way to the Ohio River,” said ORF Restoration Program Manager Jessica Tegge.

Plants along riverbanks improve water quality by keeping pollutants out of the water and by helping to control erosion, thus reducing sedimentation. As they mature, these riparian plants also provide habitat for streamside birds and mammals and create shade that helps fish and other aquatic species thrive.

This completed planting and reforestation project benefits not only the animals, water quality, and the communities surrounding Twin Creek, but will also improve conditions downstream. The improvements in habitat quality and biodiversity on Twin Creek will lead to improved water quality as the water travels down into the Great Miami River, then the Ohio River, and beyond.

Planted species included American Sycamore, Silky Dogwood, Sandbar Willow, and Black Willow.

Project partners including Five Rivers MetroParks, Village of Lewisburg, and Rivers Unlimited also played a part in this project’s success by spreading the word, volunteering, or lending boats and/or other resources.

Through invasive species removal, native plantings, and barrier removals, Ohio River Foundation creates more climate change-resilient habitats.

Are you or your company interested in supporting our work? Do you need to implement a habitat restoration project? Ohio River Foundation works with private and public landowners to implement and manage their projects, as well as provide assistance in obtaining project funding. Click here to learn more about our project offerings.