Eastern Oregon Trail Alliance
$18,720

At the nexus of conservation, recreation and inclusive collaboration, our project proposes a creative solution to end a current conflict between forest uses while also leveraging the collaboration, born of conflict, to bring conservation education to a rural community. Implementation of overlapping forest users has led to recent conflict between stream conservation and recreation. In 2021 a stream restoration and watershed enhancement project on Tinker Creek damaged .53 miles of the existing Tinker Bell Trail. The restoration project was implemented to benefit Middle Columbia Steelhead and redband trout by reconstructing floodplain habitat and increasing water storage.  Unfortunately, heavy equipment needed for the restoration project resulted in the elimination of some sections of the Tinker Bell Trail, effectively cutting off continuous trail access to ~ 11 miles of trail. Eastern Oregon Trail Alliance (EOTA), as a strong supporter of conservation, responsible recreation, and sustainable trail design is proposing, and is excited at the opportunity, to flip this conflict on its head and instead turn it into an educational opportunity that bridges the gap between conservation and responsible recreation. Specifically, we are proposing to reconstruct the Tinker Bell Trail and host two weekend community volunteer events to finish the reconstructed trail. We are also proposing to install an informational sign that educates the public about the restoration project, and how to recreate responsibility. We will place the sign at the location where the trail meets the restoration project which is ~ ½ mile from the trailhead.