Members of the Eel River Native Plant Network met in person for the first time on June 18th, 2026 at the River Lodge Conference Center in Fortuna. They were there to continue strengthening relationships with one another, give further input on the Network’s intent, learn about the estimated plant materials needed for restoration following Eel River dam removal, and identify key opportunities the Network can pursue.
About 45 people were in attendance, representing over 30 different Tribal Nations, NGOs, consulting firms, and agencies. Network members spent time reviewing the vision, and focus for the Network, giving feedback that reflected a strong emphasis on respecting Tribal sovereignty, a clear need for more plant material production in the region, and a desire to share knowledge in culturally appropriate ways.
Alicia Hamann from Friends of the Eel River shared information about the regulatory timeline for Eel River dam removal, and the importance of giving input on restoration plans early in the process. John Bair from Applied River Sciences shared his preliminary estimates of plant materials needed for revegetating after the dams are removed, and encouraged Network members to complete a survey designed to assess regional need for and capacity to produce native plant materials.
Network members also spent time giving detailed input on several topics including native plant priorities, current barriers to regional capacity growth, and projects the Network should focus on in the next few years. Members are focused on producing and using culturally significant species, increasing amplification capacity, preserving local genetics, and managing invasive species. A lack of necessary infrastructure, challenging funding timelines, and a disconnected supply chain were identified as primary barriers to capacity growth. And investing in shared resources, building a seed availability database, collaborating on grant proposals, and providing workforce training were some of the most popular ideas for what the Network could accomplish together.
Click here to read the full report on what we learned together.