The North Yakima Conservation District (NYCD) restored approximately 16 acres of former agricultural ground located along 0.61 miles of the left bank of Ahtanum Creek in Yakima, WA. Previous land use practices involved cultivation of the ground up to the edge of the creek to allow for maximum crop yield, leaving the floodplain mostly devoid of riparian vegetation. Non-native weed species dominated the floodplain. Areas of saline soil conditions only allowed certain plant species to grow. Restoration began with the application of intensive weed control techniques and chemical testing of the soil to determine appropriate plant species. NYCD then employed a phased planting strategy, planting 1/3 of the site at a time with a combination of seed, bare roots, and potted material. The project area was fully planted by 2013 and was maintained intensively through the closing of the grant. The goals of the project were to increase the functionalilty of the floodplain, increase shade within Ahtanum Creek, lower water temperatures, protect the bank from increased erosion rates, reduce sediment input, increase nutrients in the stream, and provide a source of wood for future instream habitat that will benefit salmonids. Ahtanum Creek supports Mid -Columbia steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Bull, Cutthroat, and Rainbow trout and it is recognized as a priority restoration stream for salmonid recovery in the Yakima Steelhead Recovery Plan. This project enhanced the environmental education curriculum being taught at La Salle High School, as students were able to observe and learn the importance of stream and riparian restoration activites. This project also augmented on site salmon restoration efforts conducted by the Yakama Nation.