Chehalis Basin Strategy in review: Restoration at Riverbend Ranch near Tenino seeks to balance nature and agriculture
Nestled along the Skookumchuck River, Riverbend Ranch near Tenino in Thurston County is a working farm raising hay, cattle, pigs, timber and Christmas trees. The ranch also supports habitat vital for salmon and other aquatic life.
However, the river and its natural processes face significant challenges, including disconnected floodplains, degraded riparian (streamside) habitat and a lack of sufficient large native trees.
These issues make the area an ideal candidate for restoration. A large-scale habitat restoration project is now underway at Riverbend Ranch, aimed at enhancing the river’s health for aquatic life, boosting floodplain resiliency and supporting sustainable agriculture.
The habitat restoration project at Riverbend Ranch is a voluntary, collaborative effort. The Thurston Conservation District is managing the project in collaboration with landowners at Riverbend Ranch and Sierra Pacific Industries, who provide essential access and support. The project is designed to address critical ecological challenges along the Skookumchuck River while supporting sustainable agricultural practices. The ranch is owned by the Jensen family, who are dedicated stewards of the shared natural resources on their land. For many years, the Jensen family has worked closely with the Thurston Conservation District to implement on-the-ground conservation efforts such as planting native trees and shrubs to restore riparian buffers, constructing heavy-use areas to protect soil health and collaborating with local partners to conserve and restore degraded prairie habitat.