Wildlife work accomplished and proposed Volunteer work- Wildlife - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Wildlife work accomplished and proposed Volunteer work- Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Weekend • Oregon Hunters association & Rocky Mountain Elk Association & ODWF • Bonneville Power Administration and Portland General Electric Timber related Wildlife Enhancement Projects • Wildlife openings Meadow encroachment • Wildlife and Botany Meadow Restoration – Botany • Current timber sale opportunities

Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife & Rocky Mountain Elk Association In 13 years have developed/enhanced about 400 acres of wildlife habitat to provide forage for big game

Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife & Rocky Mountain Elk Association Removing trees and brush as they encroach meadows in powerline corridors, young forest stands and other natural openings

Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife & Rocky Mountain Elk Association Now mainly maintaining them with fertilizer, brush and weed control

In past 13 years Bonneville Power Administration and Portland General Electric have contributed fertilizer and weed sprayers accomplishing approximately 100 acres per year

Timber Related Wildlife Enhancement Projects Fire suppression on the landscape has changed the natural cycle and prevented fires from maintaining meadows. Our goal is to restore and enhance these non-forested special habitats such as meadows ● Meadows are important for big game forage ● Meadows are habitats for many unique plant species

Meadow Encroachment • Cut down encroaching trees on meadows • Removing weeds for native species enhancement • Encouraging native forage plants for big game • Control access by gating, boulders, etc.

Creating Early Seral Habitat Gaps placed in timber sale units mimic natural forest openings to provide early seral habitat-which is lower than historic levels. Creating gaps and other naturally occurring openings provide for big game forage and structure diversity for species like migratory birds .

Meadow Encroachment Projects Dusty Meadow • Located near Duffy Lake trail head • A wet grassy area associated with spring snow melt • Beginning cutting in June 2015

Meadow Encroachment Projects Halls Ridge • 4500 feet elevation • Rocky outcrops • Cut in 2013 and 2014 • About 18 acres Top of Halls Ridge meadow, looking west

Before

Before After

Meadow Enhancement & Restoration – Botany Restoration One meadow restoration proposed within current timber sale The purpose is to restore the entire meadow to historic meadow species and hydrology. The proposal is to cut most trees within the historic meadow and to feather to new restored meadow edge Removing encroaching trees will increase the hydrology integrity of the meadow . Increased water to the meadow will drown out the encroaching bracken fern and enhance the more moist meadow plant species that once existed throughout the meadow.

Historic Aerial photo 1949 Clearly shows encroachment process occuring as small trees take advantage of the hydrology and begin to dry out the meadow

Current Aerial photo showing encroached trees larger than outer forest.

Google Earth image showing meadow depression

Enhancement Meadow Enhance and Damage Repair One wetland meadow is a healthy self maintaining, high functioning meadow that off road vehicles have been able to access. Goal is to repair and block access. Thinning upper slope unit will also bring in more hydrology Another dry meadow will be opened up more in the hopes of bringing in more water thus increasing native vegetation which would provide for big game forage and botanical habitat enhancement.