SALEM, Ore. -- Volunteers are invited to help plant trees and shrubs along a new floodplain forest in Willamette Mission State Park on Feb. 10. The event is a part of a larger habitat restoration project led by Willamette Riverkeeper, in partnership with Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

The restoration "work party", now in its second year, is part of the Willamette Mission Floodplain Reforestation Project. Its goal is to restore vital fish and wildlife habitat on 600 acres across the state park. The project broke ground in 2014 and has continued under the guidance of Willamette Riverkeeper, a nonprofit organization that works to protect and restore the Willamette River.

This winter, Willamette Riverkeeper members and volunteers intend to plant more than 107,000 native plants in Willamette Mission State Park.

"One of our project goals is to teach local community members, park user groups and youth about environmental stewardship," said Marci Krass, Restoration Manager for Willamette Riverkeeper. "We hope that by offering these service opportunities, people will invest in Willamette Mission State Park's transformation and feel a connection to the forest they are helping to restore."

The restoration work party will be held 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 10. Volunteers will meet in the gravel lot for the Wheatland ferry, at the north entrance to Willamette Mission State Park. Parking is free. Registration and more info is online: https://goo.gl/8HsRcw.

Restoration work in Willamette Mission State Park is the result of a partnership between OPRD and Willamette Riverkeeper, with additional funding assistance from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, Meyer Memorial Trust, Bonneville Power Administration and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Willamette Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization that works to protect and restore the Willamette River. Programs are focused on enforcing the Clean Water Act, connecting Oregonians to their local river through monthly paddle trips, monitoring and cleaning urban riverfront areas, and enhancing and restoring habitat for fish and wildlife. For more information visit www.willametteriverkeeper.org.