Thurs, May 28, 2009 - Salem, Ore. -- From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Sat., May 30, Salem-area volunteers, armed with shovels, wheelbarrows, and over 2,000 donated plants, worked to enhance a riparian zone in the Salem Renewable Energy and Technology Park site at 5475 Gaffin Road, SE.  Volunteers from the City of Salem, Saalfeld Griggs, Heritage Seedlings, Wildwood/Mahonia, and SOLV joined forces with volunteers from SANYO Solar of Oregon, and other local private industry members to remove invasive species and replant native plants and trees along the waterway. 

“This project was a wonderful demonstration of the power of public-private partnerships”, said Mark Shipman, a partner in business law firm Saalfeld Griggs, where the idea for the project germinated.

The enhancement site is just north of the 130,000 square foot facility that SANYO Solar of Oregon, LLC is constructing to manufacture silicon ingots and wafers for solar panels.  

“Working together, we help to ensure that habitat preservation and community involvement remain key components of successful development”, said Janet Taylor, Mayor of the City of Salem. 

The enhancement project was designed to improve the water quality and wildlife habitat along the creek, and serve as a future natural amenity for SANYO employees and other companies located in the Salem Renewable Energy Park.  The riparian zone has been placed in a conservation easement and owned/ managed by the City of Salem. 

Yasuyoshi Kawanishi, President of SANYO Solar of Oregon, LLC commented: “SANYO is pleased to help plant a zone of natural solar collectors right next to our solar wafer facility. Both types are wonderful ways to enhance our environment and community by using the sun’s energy productively.”

“The restored and improved waterway invites Salem Renewable Energy Park employees to connect with nature in the middle of a major employment center”, said John Miller, President of Wildwood/Mahonia, who helped plan the project.  After the site was cleared of invasive and non-native plants, volunteers replanted the area with native tree and shrub species donated by Heritage Seedlings and Mahonia Vineyards and Nursery.

The team alsorelocated two native oak trees that were originally scheduled to be removed. Heritage President, Mark Krautmann, was especially excited about saving the oaks, “So little oak habitat remains in the Willamette Valley, and this project reconnects two existing remnants”.

Utilizing one of SOLV’s ongoing programs, volunteers plan to return to the site over the next few years to pull weeds and care for the trees. SOLV Executive Director Dianna Smiley emphasized the importance of ongoing care: “We can’t just plant and leave. During the first few years even native plants need care and monitoring.

For more information about this project, contact Travis Henry at 503-585-8789.