Habitat Restoration March 2018

Frenetic February, Management March!

February on the Refuge brought us an early hint of spring before reminding us that winter is not yet ready to call it a day. The warm dry start to the month saw Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis) fooled into bloom and herbicide spray equipment pulled from the shed. Two weeks later we were canceling events because of snow and ice and rewinterizing. In spite of the frenetic weather, habitat work continued with the clearing of derelict barbed-wire fences from the Carty Unit and blackberries from the River S Unit.

In addition, along stretches of the auto-tour route, volunteer work parties prepped and placed patches of pollinator plants providing cover and provisions for our preferred patrons (Please pardon my plethora of p’s).

Species planted include pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), red-osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii), black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii), bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata), and salmon berry (Rubus spectabilis).

March projects will include weeding our Camas planting along the Oaks to Wetland Trail, continued fence and blackberry removal, cottonwood plantings, planting maintenance, and invasive species control. For folks new to the area or new to the idea of volunteering on the Refuge the last day of March kicks off our Volunteer Training Program, a series of Saturday events to educate and inform new and returning volunteers to the opportunities and programs available at Ridgefield and in the Gorge.