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Post-Disaster Ecological Restoration in Southern Oregon Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals

Following the destructive 2020 Almeda fire, a community-led restoration project along Bear Creek in Phoenix, Oregon, has emerged as a significant initiative advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project, centered at Blue Heron Park, focuses on ecological recovery, community resilience, and cultural heritage, directly contributing to goals for clean water, sustainable communities, and terrestrial ecosystems.

Ecological Recovery and Freshwater Ecosystems (SDG 6, 14, 15)

The restoration effort has fundamentally improved the local watershed, addressing key targets within the SDGs related to water and biodiversity.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The accidental discovery of 16 natural springs, previously blocked for 75 years by an earthen berm, has reintroduced a source of clean, cool water into Bear Creek. The removal of the berm and reconnection of Blue Heron Creek has enhanced water quality and flow.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: These improvements create a healthier habitat for aquatic life, including salmon populations, by restoring natural stream conditions.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The project involved the removal of invasive blackberry bushes burned in the fire, allowing for the restoration of native riparian habitats. This work supports the broader Bear Creek watershed ecosystem, benefiting birds and other wildlife dependent on the wetlands.

Sustainable Communities and Partnerships (SDG 11, 17)

The project serves as a model for building resilient and sustainable communities through collaborative action and the creation of inclusive public spaces.

1. Community Engagement and Infrastructure (SDG 11):
   • The removal of a nine-foot berm has re-established public access to the creek, transforming the area into a community gathering space for educational and recreational purposes.
   • Repurposed boulders now provide seating for community events and an outdoor preschool, promoting education for sustainable development.
   • The project has inspired discussions for future sustainable infrastructure, such as a pedestrian bridge to connect the east and west sides of Phoenix.
2. Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (SDG 17):
   • The project’s success is attributed to a robust partnership involving numerous stakeholders.
   • Key contributors include the Rogue River Watershed Council, the Lomakatsi restoration organization, the volunteer group Save the Phoenix Wetlands, and local hydrogeologist Robert Coffan.
   • This collaboration exemplifies the effectiveness of partnerships in achieving sustainable development outcomes.

Integration of Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Heritage (SDG 11, 15)

A central component of the restoration is the elevation of Indigenous stewardship, recognizing the deep connection between cultural heritage and ecological sustainability.

• The Lomakatsi organization’s Inter-Tribal Ecosystem Restoration Partnership program integrates traditional ecological knowledge with restoration science, fulfilling the mandate to care for the land holistically.
• A celebratory event, “A Day of Shared Learning: Elevating Tribal Stewardship,” highlights this convergence. Activities include land acknowledgements, traditional drumming and singing, and presentations from Indigenous leaders and scholars on the land’s ancestral geography.
• This focus on cultural heritage contributes to building inclusive and sustainable communities (SDG 11) while promoting the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article focuses on the restoration of Bear Creek, including the reconnection of 16 springs and the enhancement of water quality for aquatic life. This directly relates to the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project transforms a part of Blue Heron Park into an accessible public space for community gathering, education, and recreation. It also highlights the protection of natural and cultural heritage through the involvement of Indigenous communities and the creation of walkable connections within the city of Phoenix.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  A central theme is the restoration of the Bear Creek watershed ecosystem. This includes removing invasive species (blackberry bushes), enhancing habitat for wildlife like salmon and birds, and promoting biodiversity through ecological restoration efforts led by organizations like Lomakatsi.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article mentions the creation of a creekside space for educational events, its use by an outdoor preschool, and a specific event titled “A Day of Shared Learning” to promote ecological knowledge and Indigenous stewardship.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The success of the project is attributed to the collaboration between multiple groups, including the Rogue River Watershed Council, Lomakatsi, Save the Phoenix Wetlands, community volunteers, and tribal leaders, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder partnership.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes. The article describes the work of reconnecting Blue Heron Creek with Bear Creek and unearthing 16 springs to restore the natural water flow and enhance the creek’s ecosystem.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. The project explicitly incorporates Indigenous stewardship, cultural renewal, and traditional ecological knowledge, with events featuring tribal leaders, arts, and history.
   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces. The removal of a nine-foot berm to create a newly accessible mouth of Bear Creek at Blue Heron Park for people to gather and connect with nature is a direct example of this target.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands. The entire project is focused on the ecological restoration of the Bear Creek watershed, a freshwater ecosystem.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. The work to enhance habitat for aquatic life, salmon, and birds directly addresses the reduction of habitat degradation.
   • Target 15.8: By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species. The article mentions that the 2020 Almeda fire burned down invasive blackberry bushes, and the subsequent restoration work prevents their return, thus controlling an invasive species.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development. The creation of a space for educational events, its use by an outdoor preschool, and the “Day of Shared Learning” event focusing on Indigenous knowledge and ecological restoration are all initiatives that support this target.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The article credits the project’s success to a “community of volunteers” and a collaboration between various organizations like the Rogue River Watershed Council, Lomakatsi, and Save the Phoenix Wetlands.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 6.6 & 15.1 (Ecosystem Restoration):
  • The number of springs reconnected to the creek (16 springs).
  • The reconnection of Blue Heron Creek with Bear Creek.
  • The area of invasive blackberry bushes removed.
  • The act of willow planting for bank stabilization.
• For Target 11.7 (Access to Public Space):
  • The removal of a berm (as high as nine feet) to improve physical and visual access to the creek.
  • The creation of a new accessible gathering space at Blue Heron Park.
  • The number of community and educational events held in the new space.
• For Target 11.4 (Cultural and Natural Heritage):
  • The number of events celebrating Indigenous knowledge and cultural renewal.
  • The active participation of Indigenous leaders and community members in restoration and community events.
• For Target 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development):
  • The establishment of a dedicated creekside space for educational purposes.
  • The number of educational programs, such as the outdoor preschool, using the restored area.
• For Target 17.17 (Partnerships):
  • The number of distinct organizations and volunteer groups collaborating on the project (Rogue River Watershed Council, Lomakatsi, Save the Phoenix Wetlands, etc.).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: oregonlive.com