Healthy animals depend on a healthy environment.
At Red Bridge Farm, we believe stewardship means looking beyond our own fields to protect the ecosystems that support all of us. That’s why a portion of every bag of feed we sell goes directly toward the restoration and maintenance of Mill Creek.
Every bag you buy helps restore and preserve the local ecosystem.
How the Mill Creek Restoration Project Is Restoring Wildlife and Waterways
Reviving Native Mammal Life Along the Creek
Restoring Mill Creek will bring back healthy habitat for the wildlife that depends on it. Beavers and river otters will return to stable waterways, while nearby forests and stream banks will provide food and shelter for white-tailed deer, moose, and black bears. Increased biodiversity will also support small predators like mink and coyotes.
Restoring Healthy Waters for Aquatic Species
Mill Creek’s restoration will improve water quality by keeping the stream cooler, clearer, and free from excess sediment. Stabilized banks will prevent erosion and protect vital rainbow and brook trout habitat. Clean water will also support amphibians like frogs and salamanders, ensuring the entire aquatic ecosystem can thrive.
Bringing Back Nesting Grounds
By restoring riparian and forested zones, the project will strengthen critical nesting and foraging habitat for a wide range of birds. Wetland species like the Belted Kingfisher and forest dwellers such as the Merlin Falcon and Pileated Woodpecker will all benefit from healthier, more stable environments.
Strengthening Riparian Habitats
Restored riparian habitat will support reptiles and amphibians that rely on clean water and healthy forests. Key species like the Western Painted Turtle and Northern Alligator Lizard will benefit, while cleaner water will create better breeding conditions for amphibians like the Pacific Chorus Frog.
Balancing Biodiversity from the Ground Up
Insects and invertebrates are key indicators of clean water and a healthy ecosystem. Restoration will support species like dragonflies, damselflies, and crayfish, which play a critical role in the food chain. By improving water quality and habitat conditions, these small but vital species can continue to support fish, birds, and mammals throughout the creek.
Planting Native Vegetation for a Thriving Ecosystem
Native plants like willows, alders, and cattails stabilize creek banks and improve water quality. This year, we planted 1,700 trees, including Western larch, willows, and aspen, to help reforest the surrounding landscape. With deep roots and broad canopies, these plants reduce erosion, retain water, cool the creek, and support both wildlife and fish.
