
Bear Fire Watershed Protection and Education
Camp Fire Restoration Project Sponsors Watershed Protection and Education Event for Bear Fire Survivors
What exactly is a compost sock, and what does it have to do with toxic run-off after a wildfire?
Survivors of the recent North Complex/Bear Fire had an opportunity to learn all about compost socks, wattles, bioremediation, erosion control, and the importance of preventing toxic ash runoff from going into soils, wells, and our shared watersheds at the Camp Fire Restoration Project’s Watershed Protection and Education event.
Local nonprofit organization The Camp Fire Restoration Project partnered up with Eco-Restoration Camps-California (ERC-CA), local fire survivor Matthew Trumm of Treetop Permaculture, and other organizations to offer this free community event on Saturday, December 5th, 2020 from 10 am until 12 noon Berry Creek Community Church, 1461 Bald Rock Rd.)
Other organizations who were on hand include the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, the Berry Creek Citizens Council, Butte Remediation, and more.
A wattle and compost sock placement demonstration took place at the event at 10:00 a.m. The demonstration covered why, when, where, and how to properly install sediment control materials. Information and experts were available throughout the morning to assist landowners with questions and concerns, potential funding opportunities and other remediation info. There was even be a tree giveaway!
As a result of fundraising efforts by Trumm, the Camp Fire Restoration Project and Eco-Restoration Camps of California, multiple Berry Creek residents whose properties were destroyed in the Bear Fire have been pre-selected by lottery to receive post-fire remediation materials, such as compost socks and wattles for their land at no cost. Partial donations also came from Filtrexx, a manufacturer of compost socks, as well as one of their distributors, K&K Construction Supply. All lottery recipients steward land which has been determined to be in a critical watershed location and has not been addressed by any government program.
Compost socks, or compost filter socks are a type of wattle with a mesh tube that is filled with compost. They are a simple technology that, when properly placed, can help filter and remediate toxic ash runoff from moving through fire-ravaged properties and into water sources such as private wells and local watersheds.
Toxic ash runoff is a primary concern when a large-scale fire, such as the Camp Fire or the North Complex Fire, rips through residential areas. Cars, homes and many of the materials people use in their daily lives are highly toxic, even more so when those things come into contact with fire. The burned artifacts left behind leach pollutants into the ground and waterways with added water–a huge concern once the rainy season gets into full swing, as the entire burn scar sits atop the vital Feather River watershed, including Lake Oroville.
Wattles and compost socks are also extremely helpful with post-fire erosion during winter rains.
In the wake of the Bear Fire, the organizers of the December 5th event hope that the gathering will assist in creating a positive, hands-on response to some of the serious concerns that linger long after the fire is out. By helping local landowners protect their land and watershed from toxic runoff and erosion through distributing remediation materials, teaching folks how to install them, and putting folks in touch with ways to get materials through state programs and insurance policies, the organizers also hope to bring attention to the idea that what happens here affects what happens downstream.
Facilitators also encouraged community members to come together and help their neighbors get this vital work accomplished, together, like an old fashioned “barn raising.”
Water is Life, and we have the opportunity to participate and steward this precious natural element for ourselves and future generations. Our community affects everyone downstream, California’s watershed, farmland, and all who live in this beautiful state. We can make a huge difference together!
https://www.facebook.com/events/3242324905897137/
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Thank you so much to:
Filtrexx
For the compost socks (including16 pallets donated) and participation in distribution.
https://www.facebook.com/filtrexxns/
https://www.facebook.com/filtrexx/
K&K Construction who donated 2 pallets and discounted the whole order
–Lowes in Chico
Wattles donated (1 pallet)
National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) https://www.facebook.com/groups/USDA.NRCS
Butte County Fire Safe Council
https://www.facebook.com/buttefiresafe
Hedgerow Farms
for the seed donations
https://www.facebook.com/Hedgerow-Farms-186304081408647
Ecosystem Restoration Camps
for the fundraising
https://www.facebook.com/Ecosystemrestorationcamps/
https://www.facebook.com/Ecosystem-Restoration-Camps-California-Regional-Hub-104349814684738
Together we can do so much to protect our watershed and regenerate our ecosystems!

Black Friday Seed Planting Action Day Event
Seed Planting at Sol Sanctuary on Black Friday
Our Team gathered the day after Thanksgiving to give back to the land rather than shopping for Black Friday. Led by Raphael DiGenova, our planting was inspired by Ali Medders-Knight, a local Mechoopda Tribe member, in conjunction with the planting at Verbena Fields in Chico, California both Thursday and Friday. Raphael has bins of sorted seeds, labeled for elevation where the plants grow. Mostly what was planted came from the riparian bin as the meadows of Sol Sanctuary are right along a little creek. We also scattered a wildflower seed mix. All seeds have been hand gathered locally by Raphael. It is our hope that these plants take root and offer a living seed library that will be harvestable to spread to the burn scars in widening areas in the coming years.


Oak and Native Tree Giveaway
Oak and Native Tree Giveaway
Camp Fire Restoration Project and Butte County RCD invited Butte County fire survivors to commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Camp Fire, by planting native trees to restore and heal our land post-fire. Over the course of three days (Nov. 7th, 8th and 9th) we gave away 2410 native tree saplings and other restoration materials for fire survivors, as well as providing education on how to replant trees in the burn scar. Our intention with this event is to not only provide resources and promote practical action to regenerate our lands, but also to promote hope and healing within our community.
For those who participated, please document and share your pictures, videos, and experiences with us! Email them to campfirerestorationproject@gmail.com or tag us on Facebook.
Available tree species: Blue Oak, Black Oak, Redbud, Elderberry, Dogwood, Amelanchier (Juneberry or serviceberry), & Hollyleaf Cherry
This event was held in partnership with the Butte County RCD, Paradise Revival Festival, Paradise Community Guild, Janel Luke, and Trees for Little People.
We want to give a special THANK YOU to Trees for Little People for the donation of the blue oak saplings, American Forests and Salesforce for funding the black oaks and other native hardwoods, and North Valley Community Foundation’s Butte Strong Fund for funding CFRP!
Butte County Resource Conservation District for all the trees other than the Blue Oaks:
https://www.facebook.com/buttecountyrcd/
Trees for Little People for the Blue Oak donation
https://www.facebook.com/treesforlittlepeople/
Paradise Revival Festival for hosting the online events
https://www.facebook.com/regeneratingparadise/
https://www.facebook.com/events/656650351906116/
Our Event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/784928258740377
Action News Now Coverage
https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/video/573009041.html
Together, we are making a huge difference regenerating our forests and nourishing our community.
Thank you for following us in implementing this grand vision of creating a bio-regional hub and model for community-based habitat restoration. With your support, we can make this happen. Your donations and partnership give more people opportunities to be trained in ecosystem restoration and create new permaculture demonstration sites to heal and restore the land and lives affected by California’s deadliest wildfire.
Our collective action will create a sustainable and regenerative model with new systems for disaster response, resilient communities, and landscape restoration that inspire a culture shift.
What is the goal?
- To restore land in the areas affected by the devastating fire, create healthy ecosystems with sustainable local food sources, build fire safe homes and buildings, create green jobs, and teach local communities about ecosystem restoration.

Sweep Out the Broom and Small Garden Workshop
Due to the COVID restrictions of 2020, we have been focusing our Camps on Workshops for education and support in regeneration of the ecosystems here in Butte County. It is our hope that the information and education is applicable as a model for regeneration after disasters such as the Camp Fire and North Complex/Bear Fire.
Our first round of Workshops was the Sweep Out the Broom and Growing Your Garden in Small Spaces Workshops on October 18, 2020 at the Paradise Community Guild former location of the Norton Buffalo Hall. Matthew Trumm led “Sweep Out the Broom: Weed Abatement Without Roundup.” Jennifer Peterson led “Urban Gardening: Grow Your Garden in Small Spaces.” Dan Joseph led Workday projects of watering, weeding, and spreading wood chips for the community garden. We also livestreamed the Event on Facebook for those who wanted to stay home. Here are the videos of that day. Thank you to all who participated!
Urban Gardening: Growing Your Garden in Small Spaces Workshop
This event was held on October 18, 2020 at the Paradise Community Guild and was led by Jennifer Peterson.
Sweep Out the Broom Workshop
This event was held on October 18, 2020 at the Paradise Community Guild and was led by Matthew Trumm.
Sweep Out the Broom Part 1
Sweep Out the Broom Part 2
We are a new model of Ecosystem Restoration Camps where the focus is on this disaster response and relief as part of the Global ERC Camps.
https://ecosystemrestorationcamps.org/
Thank you to our partners for this series:
Paradise Community Guilds
https://www.facebook.com/paradisecommunityguilds
Butte County Local Food Networks
https://www.facebook.com/ButteCountyLocalFoodNetwork
And to our sponsor North Valley Community Foundation
Please support our efforts by visiting our website and make a donation if you can: http://campfirerestorationproject.org/ Thank you for watching!
Thank you for following us in implementing this grand vision of creating a bio-regional hub and model for community-based habitat restoration. With your support, we can make this happen. Your donations and partnership give more people opportunities to be trained in ecosystem restoration and create new permaculture demonstration sites to heal and restore the land and lives affected by California’s deadliest wildfire.
Our collective action will create a sustainable and regenerative model with new systems for disaster response, resilient communities, and landscape restoration that inspire a culture shift.
What is the goal?
- To restore land in the areas affected by the devastating fire, create healthy ecosystems with sustainable local food sources, build fire safe homes and buildings, create green jobs, and teach local communities about ecosystem restoration.

2020 Camp Events Local Tree Watering

CFRP Action Days for 2020 has included watering Blue Oak trees planted in Concow and Paradise. They were planted in the Spring, so a little help in establishing was necessary. What a joy to water the seedlings and see the new growth!
Gratitude for the generous donation of 400 Blue Oaks from Butte County Resource Conservation District. You can also visit them on Facebook.
Thank you for following us in implementing this grand vision of creating a bio-regional hub and model for community-based habitat restoration. With your support, we can make this happen. Your donations and partnership give more people opportunities to be trained in ecosystem restoration and create new permaculture demonstration sites to heal and restore the land and lives affected by California’s deadliest wildfire.
Our collective action will create a sustainable and regenerative model with new systems for disaster response, resilient communities, and landscape restoration that inspire a culture shift.
What is the goal?
- To restore land in the areas affected by the devastating fire, create healthy ecosystems with sustainable local food sources, build fire safe homes and buildings, create green jobs, and teach local communities about ecosystem restoration.

Paradise Revival Festival 2020
Paradise Revival Festival
This year the Paradise Revival Festival went Online through Zoom meetings to gather, heal and support the community. Heartfelt connections were made, songs were sang, and joy was culitvated.
Paradise Revival Festival website:
https://www.regeneratingparadise.org/paradise-revival-festival
Please visit the Facebook event for this here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/656650351906116/
“The Paradise Revival Festival celebrates the resiliency of our community. It is an opportunity to heal together through music, art, workshops, and self expression. Part music festival, part talent show, part community-day-of-action; we hope this festival will remind us who we are as a community.”


Respectful Revolution CFRP Update April 2020
Hey everyone! Greetings from the Camp Fire Restoration Project! Here’s a quick update from Matthew Trumm on what CFRP/Camp Paradise has been up to this year. We are proud to be affiliated with Ecosystem Restoration Camps International, ERC California, and the many partnerships that continue to blossom in our local region.
Also, please check out this great video for action you can take during COVID-19.

Fall Camp 2019 Success!

Our Fall Camp 2019 was a huge success joining together with Regenerating Paradise for the Paradise Revival Festival, then Permaculture Action Network and Rising Appalachia for our Action Day at Norton Buffalo Hall. Sol Sanctuary joined us as our base camp and fiscal sponsor.
We are now in the first phase of implementing this grand vision of creating a bio-regional hub and model for community-based habitat restoration. With your support, we can make this happen. Your donations and partnership give more people opportunities to be trained in ecosystem restoration and create new permaculture demonstration sites to heal and restore the land and lives affected by California’s deadliest wildfire.
Our collective action will create a sustainable and regenerative model with new systems for disaster response, resilient communities, and landscape restoration that inspire a culture shift.
What is the goal?
- To restore land in the areas affected by the devastating fire, create healthy ecosystems with sustainable local food sources, build fire safe homes and buildings, create green jobs, and teach local communities about ecosystem restoration.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO RESTORE PARADISE!
**** If you do not wish to receive emails about this project, reply to this message and let us know.
Paradise Revival Festival
This year the Paradise Revival Festival went Online through Zoom meetings to gather, heal and support the community. Heartfelt connections were made, songs were sang, and joy was culitvated.
Paradise Revival Festival website:
https://www.regeneratingparadise.org/paradise-revival-festival
Please visit the Facebook event for this here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/656650351906116/
“The Paradise Revival Festival celebrates the resiliency of our community. It is an opportunity to heal together through music, art, workshops, and self expression. Part music festival, part talent show, part community-day-of-action; we hope this festival will remind us who we are as a community.”

A video message from Matthew Trumm with exciting news and Summer How To Restoration tips for you and the land
I’m here in the food forest in my backyard today to share exciting news and information with you about our project. Thank you all for your continued partnership in this great work of our time. Watch my video message here.
Announcing the Camp Fire Restoration Project & Camp Paradise Vision! Read our accomplishments, the plan moving forward and see the latest Press on our Spring Camp Weekend. The Vision document is attached to this email.
Explore our 2019 Summer Restoration & Resource Guide offering a seasonal approach to what you can do now to restore your land. The guide is attached to this email, and soon available on our Resources page on our website.
Use our Community Calendar to post events and stay connected to ecosystem restoration activities in Butte County.
We are now in the first phase of implementing this grand vision of creating a bio-regional hub and model for community-based habitat restoration. With your support, we can make this happen. Your donations and partnership give more people opportunities to be trained in ecosystem restoration and create new permaculture demonstration sites to heal and restore the land and lives affected by California’s deadliest wildfire.
Our collective action will create a sustainable and regenerative model with new systems for disaster response, resilient communities, and landscape restoration that inspire a culture shift.
What is the goal?
- To restore land in the areas affected by the devastating fire, create healthy ecosystems with sustainable local food sources, build fire safe homes and buildings, create green jobs, and teach local communities about ecosystem restoration.
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO RESTORE PARADISE!
**** If you do not wish to receive emails about this project, reply to this message and let us know.
NSPR Feature: Permaculture And Restoring Land After The Camp Fire
When we talk about life lost during the Camp Fire, we immediately think people and animals.
But when a fire reaches the extreme temperatures that the Camp Fire did in places, the living organic material in the earth itself ground burns as well. It effectively kills the soil and its ability to absorb moisture.
Today we journey with independent producer Matt Fidler who learned about rebuilding the soil that once gave life to vegetation that covered the area’s now charred landscape.