Habitat Restoration February 2018

January on the Refuge felt more like March with 50 degree days and continuous rain. We can’t be sure how most of the resident flora and fauna felt about it, but the deer appear plump and content with an easy winter season. Geese are also benefiting from the mild conditions and continued growth of grass. They are fortunate this year since much of their off-site grazing habitat surrounding the refuge is quickly being converted to suburbia.

Volunteers in January embraced the rain and mild temperatures and accomplished many habitat improvement projects including planting and removing almost a mile of derelict barbed-wire fencing.

Fences were removed along Gee Creek and Carty Field. We did this to lessen chances for accidental wildlife collisions and to enhance the free movement of wildlife across the Refuge. Removing fences also required removal of Himalayan blackberry since fences are perch sites and perch sites are also bird latrine sites and blackberry seeds aren’t picky about modes of dispersal or deterred from sprouting after spending time in a digestive track. Let’s give a big shout out to all those who suffered through scratches and punctures and conversations about what animal hide makes the toughest glove.

Volunteers also worked to finish up the planting maintenance project along Gee Creek, modifying or installing protective beaver cages and removing all unnecessary wire and posts from the area. We have many days of planting maintenance ahead (over 30,000 trees planted in the last 5 years) but once an area is done it’s good to go for about a decade. Without caging and maintenance many of our trees and would not make it to maturity.

I would also like to give a special thanks to the Lewis River Rotary Club. This group not only volunteered their time improving habitat on the River S Unit, but coordinated the purchase and pick-up of the 40 Oregon ash trees they planted, saving the Habitat Program time and money which in turn allows for more trees and shrubs to be planted.

We are planning more planting dates in February along with blackberry and fence removal work. Sign up for weekly work-party volunteer emails or give us a call and we will let you in on the when and wheres.

Sign up by emailing: Sean_davis@fws,gov