Riparian forests?those lush green ribbons that line our rivers and streams?are some of the most vital and life-filled habitats in Oregon. These living corridors link land and water, providing shade that cools streams, roots that hold soil in place, and food and shelter for an incredible range of species.

This custom design by local artist Emily Poole is inspired by the rich life found along our riverbanks. It features a North American beaver?the tireless engineer whose ponds and channels shape habitat for fish, birds, and amphibians?nestled among blooming native lupine. Overhead, an osprey soars, scanning the water for its next catch, embodying the interconnectedness of land, air, and water.

Beavers are integral members of any floodplain restoration team. Like humans, beavers manipulate their environment. By building dams, they create deeper aquatic habitats. A bit clumsy on land, beavers are at higher risk of predation when moving by foot, so creating more aquatic habitat adds a layer of protection as they seek out food sources. As their efforts raise the water table, they also slow streamflow and allow for more sediments to drop out. Behind dams, leaves and other organic matter collect, creating a concentrated food source for aquatic insects, larval lamprey, and others. This increase in food results in an increase in insects, which is good for young fish who feast on them while enjoying the deeper and calmer waters.

Across our service area, we are proud to care for thriving riparian forests that anchor both ecosystems and the communities they support. At Green Island, decades of restoration have transformed former farmland into a vibrant mosaic of young forest, backwater channels, and wetlands teeming with wildlife. Upstream at the Willamette Confluence, the merging of the Coast and Middle Forks of the Willamette River creates a dynamic floodplain where osprey and beaver find room to thrive within the urban core.

Riparian forests remind us that rivers are not just lines on a map?they are living systems, carrying life, water, and renewal through the heart of our valley. By protecting and restoring these vital edges, we ensure that Oregon?s rivers continue to sustain all who depend on them.