WELCOME
Welcome to the Regional Conference of the Great Basin and Northwest Chapters of the Society for Ecological Restoration. This conference brings together restoration practitioners, researchers and scientists, managers and planners, students and volunteers under the theme: Collaborative Restoration – from Community Efforts to Landscape Scales. Since our first call for papers we have had an enthusiastic response from the restoration community of the Columbia, Great Basin, and Cascadia Bioregions.
Our conference theme highlights an emerging trend of collaboration among stakeholders to resolve differences among approaches to land management. The large number of presentations in this program provides excellent examples of collaborative restoration projects that aim to restore critical ecosystem functionality while meeting stakeholder objectives. As many practitioners have experienced, there is typically no single correct approach to collaboration, but instead a wide array of solutions can be employed that are tailored to the specific demands of a project. The goals for this conference are to discover successful approaches, common issues, and to discuss challenges of implementation.
The following program includes 15 symposia that combine invited presentations to highlight a specific restoration issue or to analyze a restoration topic from different angles. Contributed sessions combine voluntary presentations under a common theme of significance to restoration in our region. The plenary presentations provide in-depth discussion of issues across the field of ecological restoration. Those who seek in-depth guidance to applied restoration approaches will find several workshops in the conference program which allow for instruction and small group discourse. The conference concludes with several field trips to regionally important restoration sites. Because personal interaction with practitioners and scientists is an important aspect of our regional conference, the program allows for ample breaks between technical sessions to visit exhibitors and attend social events to build your professional network or reconnect with fellow restorationists. For those who wish to become more involved in promoting the practice and science of ecological restoration, or simply to get to know each chapter’s Board of Directors, the Great Basin and Northwest Chapters will hold meetings during the conference that are open to all members and interested conference participants.
We hope that you enjoy our Joint Regional Conference, The Conference Committee
2 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB TABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...... 4
SCHEDULE AT-A-GLANCE ...... 5-17
ABOUT THE CHAPTERS ...... 18-19
PLENARY SPEAKERS...... 20
EXHIBITORS...... 21-22
SPECIAL EVENTS...... 23-24
SYMPOSIA...... 25-29
WORKSHOPS...... 30-31
FIELD TRIPS ...... 32-34
ABSTRACTS & AUTHORS...... 35-122
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE ...... 124
CONFERENCE CENTER MAP ...... 125
SPONSORS ...... BACK COVER
Photo by Ally Steinmetz
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Conference Chairs: Rolf Gersonde, Allison Warner, Nancy Shaw |Steering Committee: Rolf Gersonde, Nancy Shaw, Allison Warner, Stuart Hardegree, Keith Nevison, Berta Youtie, Frank Reckendorf, Alaine Sommargren, Matt Horning |Symposia : Carleen Weebers |Program and Abstracts: Stuart Hardegree, Jim Hallett |Plenary Speakers: Stuart Hardegree, Rolf Gersonde|Poster Session: Ricardo Mata-Gonzalez |Field Trips: Berta Youtie, Matt Orr and Matt Horning |Workshops: Russ Lawrence, Anne Halford |Website & Registration, Printed Program Design: Alaine Sommargren |Arrangements, Catering, Logistics: Keith Nevison, Berta Youtie, Allison Warner, Frank Reckendorf, Lisa Chang |Budget and Finance: Frank Reckendorf, Allison Warner, Samantha Rich |Student Volunteer Coordinators: Lisa Chang, Matt Fisk |Video Contest & Student Mentor Program: Matt Fisk |Sponsorships & Exhibitors: Nancy Shaw, Allison Warner |Conference Staff: Ally Steinmetz, Katrina Van Dis
SPECIAL THANKS
. Berta Youtie - Catering, Farm-to-Table Banquet and field trip transportation arrangements . Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council – Assisting with conference development . Deschutes Land Trust – Hosting Camp Polk and Whychus Creek field trip sites . Deschutes Watershed Council – Assisting and supporting to the Fluvial Geomorphology field exercise . Frank Reckendorf - Venue contract negotiations . Jalene Littlejohn - Strategic communications and conference flyers . Samantha Rich - Conference budget and accounts management
FIELD TRIP LEADERS
. Ryan Houston, Deschutes Watershed Council . Robert Karrfalt and Kayla Herriman, USDA Region 6 Bend Seed Extractory . Mike Fischer, Central Oregon Community College . Tim Deboodt, Oregon State University Extension Service . Berta Youtie, Eastern Oregon Stewardship Services . Barry Southerland, USDA NRCS, Western National Technical Service Center . Maret Pajutee, Bill Munro, USFS, Sisters, OR . Darin Stringer, Pacific Stewardship, LLC . Jim Bartlett, Fish Biologist, Round Butte Dam
WORKSHOP LEADERS
. Michael Adams, P.E. Stantec (Rivermorph) . Robert Karrfalt, USDA Region 6 Bend Seed Extractory . Dave Polster, Polster Environmental Services . Barry Southerland, NRCS Western National Technical Services Committee . Frank Reckendorf, Reckendorf and Associates
4 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB CONFERENCE PROGRAM AT-A-GLANCE MONDAY 9 AM - 4 PM Invasive Plant Management Workshop; Dave Polster (High Desert Room) 8 AM - 5 PM 3 PM - 6 PM Registration Open (Lobby) 3 PM - 6 PM Exhibit & Poster Setup (Foyer and Golden Eagle Rooms) 5 PM - 6 PM SER Great Basin Chapter Meeting (High Desert Room) 6 PM - 7:30 PM Conference Social (Golden Eagle A) 7:30 - 8:30 PM SER Northwest Board Meeting (High Desert Room)
TUESDAY MORNING 7 - 8:30 AM Registration Open (Lobby) 8 - 8:30 AM Exhibits (Foyer) OPENING PLENARY SESSION (Juniper Hall 1) Moderator: Rolf Gersonde Stuart Hardegree | SER Great Basin Chapter President 8:30 Allison Warner | SER Northwest Chapter President to Austin Green | Chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation 10 AM John Allen | Deschutes National Forest Supervisor Plenary Presentation James McIver | Oregon State University | On the Conduct of Ecological Restoration Research - Lessons from Two Case Studies 10 - 10:30 AM AM Break
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 5 TUESDAY MORNING
Location Golden Eagle A Golden Eagle B Golden Eagle C Golden Eagle D Summit
Equipment and Strategies to Enhance Establishment Stream Stewardship in the Concurrent Sage STEP and Diversity of Post-fire Collaborative Restoration Restoration Siuslaw Sessions Symposium Seedings in Former Examples Symposium National Forest Wyoming Big Sagebrush Communities Moderator James McIver Therese Meyer Russ Lawrence Carleen Weebers Chandra LeGue Vegetation Restoration Wildfire and Native Bees in Physics before Integrating Conservation, The Birth and Growth of in Response to Piñon the Great Basin, Byron Love Biology, Barry Restoration and Education: A Stewardship Contracting in and Juniper Control Southerland Land Trust-University the Siuslaw National Treatments, Bruce Pollinators and Agricultural Partnership in Western Forest, Roundy Seed Production: Stream Montana; Jenny Tollefson Johnny Sundstrom Consideration of Pollinators in Classification, Post-treatment Management and Restoration Channel Evolution Cedar River Stewardship in The Forest Service as Indicators of Planning, James Cane Model, and Channel Action: Community-focused Partner and Decision Cheatgrass Increases: Planform Riparian Restoration at the Maker Could Fuel Treatments Transplanting Wyoming Big Classification, Frank Landscape Scale, Judy Blanco in Collaborative 10:30 AM Create Fuel Problems? Sagebrush into Northern Reckendorf Stewardship Groups, Frank Nevada Grass Dominated Partnerships for Conservation: to David A. Pyke Davis Sites, Kent McAdoo Capturing Expertise and NOON Can an Understanding Creating Synergies for Watershed Councils as of Resilience and Landscape Restoration, Roy Partners in Collaboration Resistance Be Used to Iwai and Restoration, Liz Predict Treatment Vollmer- Outcomes in Facilitation of Restoration and Buhl Sagebrush Habitat Connectivity across Ecosystems? Jeanne Public and Private Lands Multiparty Monitoring of Chambers through Effective Partnership Stewardship Contracting: A and Multilevel Strategies; Forester's Perspective, Mary Bushman Marc Barnes
NOON - Lunch and Awards (Juniper Hall 1 & 2) 1:30 PM
6 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB TUESDAY AFTERNOON
Location Golden Eagle A Golden Eagle B Golden Eagle C Golden Eagle D Summit High Desert The Use of Seed Zones Stream Concurrent Sage STEP to Ensure Adapted Restoration Planning Forest Restoration Restoration Sessions Symposium Plant Material for Contributed Session Contributed Session Symposium Restoration Projects Moderator James McIver Nancy Shaw Russ Lawrence Michael Yadrick Tom DeMeo Butterflies Follow The Development and Causes of Nature’s Values in Collaborative Dry Forest Vegetation Use of Seed Zones to Streambank Clallam County: Policy Restoration at Large Response to Ensure Adapted Plant Erosion, Frank Implications of the Landscape Scales on Sagebrush Materials: Introduction; Reckendorf Economic Benefits of National Forests in the Restoration Brad St. Clair Feeder Bluffs and 12 Blue Mountains, OR; Ayn
Flood-stage Workshop, Cleaning Seed Treatments, Other Ecosystems; Lola Shlisky James McIver Genecology and Seed Processes, Hyporeic, Flores Zone Research for Native and Dynamic Defining Desired Hydrologic Forbs and Grasses of the Equilibrium in Using Site Conservation Conditions for Restoration Impacts of Interior West; R. C. Planning Plans and Key of Dry Forest Landscapes: Woodland Johnson Considerations; Ecological Attributes to Lessons from the Encroachment Barry Southerland Gauge Restoration Collaborative Forest Characterization of 1:30 PM and Tree Success; Lori Hennings Landscape Restoration Current and Future The Importance of to Removal in Great Program; Lauren Urgenson 3 PM Basin Sagebrush Climates within and Proper Plant Proactive Projects: A Steppe, Jason among Seed Zones to Evaluation and Proposal for Real Bioenergy Implications for Karrfalt Robert Williams Evaluate Options for Planting Along Revegetation of Dry Forest Restoration in Adapting to Climate Streambanks, Mike Western US Eastern Oregon: Trade-offs Spatial/Temporal Change; Francis Kilkenny Vukman Rangelands; Stanford between Thermal and Factors Affecting Young Cogeneration Comparisons of Invasions into Developments; Meagan Contemporary and Future Wyoming Big Nuss Sagebrush Predictions of the Climate Communities, Niche and Ecological Three River Restoration Paul S. Doescher Genetics of Big Sagebrush Initiative: From Three- and Blackbrush; Bryce squared to One; Anne Dahl Richardson 3 - 3:30 PM PM Break
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 7 TUESDAY AFTERNOON Location Golden Eagle A Golden Eagle B Golden Eagle C Golden Eagle D Summit High Desert The Use of Seed Zones to Ensure Stream Developing the Next Generation The Deschutes Concurrent Sage STEP Adapted Plant Restoration of Conservationists and Collaborative Sessions Symposium Material for Symposium Ecologists Forest Project Restoration Projects Moderator James McIver Nancy Shaw Barry Southerland Katie Chipko Phil Chang Ecological Scale Use of Seed Zones in History and Use of It Takes a Village: Utilizing Collaborative of Bird the Procurement and Wood in Stream Partnerships and Agreements to Forest Community Deployment of Native Restoration, Frank Grow Capacity and Strengthen Restoration in Response to Plant Material in the Reckendorf Programs; Sean Ferrell Central Oregon:
Pinyon-Juniper U.S. Forest Service; A Model for Workshop, Cleaning Seed Removal, Steven Vicky Erickson Large Wood in Collaboration and a Community Success; Pete Knick Stream Restoration Approach Can Work Towards Our Caligiuri Finding Appropriate Planning, Shaun Goal of Providing Environmental Summary of Native Seed for McKinney Education and Stewardship Short-term Restoration Projects Opportunities to All Students; Katie Results of the and Steps to Bulk Chipko 3:30 Sagebrush Seed; Douglas Kendig Connecting Education to to Steppe Treatment Production and Restoration: Cultivating a Generation 5 PM Marketing Challenges of Stewardship; Kolleen Yake
Evaluation Karrfalt Robert of Native Bio-types of Project, James Including Long-term Student McIver Grasses and Forb Seed; Jerry Benson Stewardship Projects as Part of Restoration: Impactful Stories from Use of Seed Zones in Ryan Ranch Meadow and Tumalo the Procurement and Creek; Eric Beck Deployment of Native Plant Material for University-Community Partnerships Restoration Projects in Facilitate Local Restoration Efforts Western Oregon; Rob and Provide Realistic Experiences for Fiegener Future Careers; Carleen Weebers 6 - 8 PM Poster Session and Evening Social (Golden Eagle A & B)
8 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB WEDNESDAY MORNING 7:30 - 8:30 AM Registration Open (Lobby) 8 - 8:30 AM Exhibits (Foyer) OPENING PLENARY SESSION (Juniper Hall 1) | Moderator: Stuart Hardegree 8:30 Mark Brunson |Utah State University | Restoration as a Collaborative Endeavor: to Engaging Stakeholders, Embracing Differences 10 AM John Abatzoglou |University of Idaho | Opportunities to Incorporate Multi-Scalar Climate Information for Restoration Decision Making 10 - 10:30 AM AM Break
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 9 WEDNESDAY MORNING Location Golden Eagle A Golden Eagle B Golden Eagle C Golden Eagle D Summit Re-establishing Big Collaborative Restoration in Restoring Aquatic Restoration Seed Sagebrush: Integration Concurrent Central Oregon: Linking a Stream Restoration Habitat to Preserve Material of Planting Stock to Sessions Land Trust, Academia, and Contributed Session Warm Springs Tribal Contributed Leverage Restoration Restoration Professionals Treaty Rights Session Success Moderator Amanda Egertson Matt Fisk Barry Southerland Scott Turo Ed Kleiner Creating Collaboration An Introduction to the In-stream Construction Strategic Plan to Focus Scaling Up Requires between Academia, Public, and Target Plant Concept; Related Vibration; Russ Restoration Investment Modifying Equipment Private Institutions to Build a Anthony Davis Lawrence in the John Day Basin; and Techniques at a Field Course in Ecological Amy Charette Regional Native Seed Restoration; Matthew Orr The Basis for Seedling Downstream Sediment Center; Tel Vaughn Establishment; Jeremiah Impacts of Breaching the Management of Germination and Survivorship Pinto Elwha Dam and Glines Conservation Properties Sourcing Native Plant of Locally Sourced Squirreltail Dam, WA on Fish Habitat, for Salmonid Recovery in Materials through vs. Cultivar in Restoration of a The Art and Science of River Dynamics, and Flood the Upper John Day the Willamette Valley Central Oregon Upland, Laura Growing Sagebrush at Plain Development; Frank River Basin; Brian Native Plant 10:30 AM Lucky Peak Nursery; to Childers Reckendorf Cochran Materials John Sloan Partnership; Jenny NOON Use of Solarization to Restore Side Channel Design Aquatic Habitat Sage Grouse Habitat Getty Cheatgrass-infested Uplands; Challenges; Richard Restoration on the Ron Reuter Conservation through Dyrland Warm Springs Generalized Prisons; Stacy Moore Reservation; Scott Turo Provisional Seed Use of Bark Beetle Pheromones Reach Scale Floodplain Zones for Native for Regeneration of Standing Reconnection and Overview of the 1855 Plants; Andrew Dead Wood at the Metolius Enhancement: Achieving Treaty of Middle Oregon Bower Preserve; Darin Stringer and the Objectives of the and its Application to Kelly Regan Columbia River BiOp; Tracy Habitat Protection and Drury Restoration; Olney Patt 12 - 1:30 PM Lunch (Juniper Hall 1 & 2) 12:30 - 1:30 SER Northwest Annual Chapter Meeting (Golden Eagle C) PM
10 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON Location Golden Eagle A Golden Eagle B Golden Eagle C Golden Eagle D Summit High Desert Re-establishing Ecological Holistic Prairie Big Sagebrush – Approach to Flood Restoration: Using Energy Mitigation - Forest Integration of Hazard Reduction Concurrent Novel Tools and Stream Restoration From Policy to Restoration Planting Stock to and Associated Sessions Partnerships to Contributed Session Restoration Contributed Leverage Floodplain Restore Whole Opportunity Session Restoration Restoration Along Ecosystems Success Urbanized Streams Moderator Tom Kaye John Sloan Frank Reckendorf Tom Hesseldenz Anne Halford Lauren Urgenson Collaborative Restoring Shrub- Accretion Parameters Anadromous BLM Regional Partnering Local Restoration of Rare steppe after of an Oregon Marsh Fisheries Overview Mitigation Policy and Research and Species: Golden Wildfire: Shrub after Dike Removal; and Restoration Implementation of Collaborative Paintbrush and Planting as a Viable Vanessa Robertson- Efforts in the DOI Secretarial Order Restoration in Taylor's Checkerspot; Tool in Habitat Rojas Klamath Basin of 3330; Jason Sutter Mixed-conifer Peter Dunwiddie Rehabilitation; Heidi Northern California Forests in Central Newsome Initial Response of and Southern Challenges a Utility Oregon; Andrew Practical Guidelines Riparian Vegetation Oregon; Don Faces When Merschel for Wetland Prairie Using Volunteers to Downstream of Dam Flickinger Developing a Restoration in the Reestablish Big Removal on the Elwha Mitigation Plan for A New Approach to Willamette Valley, Sagebrush; Michael River, Washington; Use of GIS Long Linear Evaluate Forest Oregon; Trevor Young Erin Cubley Methodologies in Transmission Line Structure 1:30 Taylor Master Planning Construction Projects; Restoration Needs to The Use of Seed Contrasting within the Yreka Stacey Baczkowski across Oregon and Compatibility of Transfer Zones in Restoration Histories 3 PM Creek Sub-watershed Washington; Tom Restoring Streaked the Procurement of Fluviodeltaic of the Klamath Basin; Reclamation of the DeMeo Horned Lark and and Application of Systems of the Dave LaPlante Abandoned Native Prairie Native Plant Williamson and Wood Geothermal Habitat; Hannah Material in the Rivers, Upper Klamath Floodplain Widening Exploration Drill Pads, Anderson Bureau of Land Basin; Michael Hughes along Incised Urban Newberry Volcano, Management; Paul Streams as an Oregon; Bart Wills Managing Restored Krabacher Using Wood for Integrated Approach Wetland Prairies for Habitat and to Achieving The Lower Owens Native Diversity and Big Sagebrush in a Stabilization in Ecological River Project- Lessons Resistance to Changing Climate Geomorphic Stream Restoration; Tom Learned in the First 8 Invasion; Thomas Context; Martha Design; Russ Lawrence Hesseldenz Years; David Martin Kaye Brabec
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 11 WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON 3 - 3:30 PM PM Break Location Golden Eagle A Golden Eagle B Golden Eagle C Golden Eagle D Summit High Desert Holistic Prairie Wildland Seed Energy Mitigation - Restoration: Using Harvesting and Sagebrush Concurrent Stream Restoration From Policy to Novel Tools and Agricultural Seed Restoration Sessions Contributed Session Restoration Partnerships to Restore Production and Contributed Session Opportunity Whole Ecosystems Increase Moderator Tom Kaye Kayla Herriman Michael Hughes John Sloan Therese Meyer Effects of Habitat The Native Plant Side Channel Juniper Control and State Wildlife Agency Restoration on Nesting Materials Restoration using Sagebrush Steppe Role in Restoration Density of Western Development Large Woody Debris; Recovery: Management Project Effectiveness Meadowlark; Matt Program; Peggy Tim Abbe, Mike Considerations and Monitoring; Lee Turner Blakeley-Smith Olwell Hrachovec, Mike Research Perspectives; Ericcson Jonathan Bates Basin-wide Habitat
Restoration from the Challenges to the Quality Assessments Software, RIverMorph Ground Up: Utilizing Seed Industry in A Wetland Restoring Mountain Big Used to Focus Stream Mycorrhizae to Enhance an Evolving Redelineation Sagebrush Steppe Restoration in Support Establishment of Native Market; Ed Kleiner Methodology for Habitat after of Salmon and Steelhead Prairie Plant Species Large-Scale Projects: Prescribed Burning Reintroduction Needed for Endangered Successful Seed The Port of Seattle’s Encroaching Juniper; Upstream of Pelton Production of 3:30 Butterfly Recovery; Sarah Third Runway Project Kirk Davies Round Butte Dams, Native Great Basin to Hamman Case Study; Brock Oregon; Michael Riehle Wildflowers; Rylander Passive Restoration in 5 PM Effects of Carbon and Clinton Shock Sagebrush Ecosystems State Wildlife Agency Adams Michael Nutrient Addition on Billy’s Pond Off- at Hart Mountain Approaches to Energy Prairie Communities and Native Forb Seed Channel Habitat National Antelope Development and Golden Paintbrush Production for the Restoration; Jeremy Refuge, Oregon; Lisa Mitigation: Partnering Establishment; Caitlin Great Basin Andrews Ellsworth with Industry; Bill James Lawrence Successes and Challenges; Jerry Reestablishing Mitigating Wind, Solar, Restoration of Garry Oak Erstrom Wyoming Big Geothermal and Other Ecosystems in the Sagebrush in Exotic Energy Developments Cowichan Valley; David Annual Grass and across the Great Basin Polster Introduced Grass and Mojave Parts of Communities; Aleta Nevada; Lee Turner Nafus
12 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB WEDNESDAY EVENING 5:30 - 6:30 PM Happy Hour (Foyer)
Banquet and Presentation (Juniper Hall 2) 6:30 - 8:30 PM Maret Pajutee |Deschutes National Forest | Powerful Partnerships to Restore Forests and Rivers
8:30 – 10 PM Music & Dance with The Rum and The Sea
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 13 THURSDAY MORNING 7:30 - 8:30 Registration Open (Lobby) 8 - 8:30 Exhibits (Foyer) Location Golden Eagle A Golden Eagle B Golden Eagle C Golden Eagle D Summit High Desert Holistic Prairie Restoration: Post-fire Restoration Collaborative Restoration Edaphic Using Novel Collaborations in the in Whychus Creek: Concurrent Riparian and Wetland Restoration Tools and Morley Nelson Snake Restoring Habitat for Sessions Contributed Session Contributed Partnerships to River Birds of Prey Salmon and Steelhead Session Restore Whole National Cons. Area Reintroduction Ecosystems Moderator Tom Kaye Joseph Weldon Ryan Houston James Hallett Allison Warner New Approaches Nat’l Landscape The Deschutes Determining Effective Mycorrhizal & to Managing Conservation Areas - Partnership's Collaborative Buffer Widths for Semiarid Microbial
Prairie Habitat for Opportunities for Model: An Integrated Ecosystems of the Columbia Inoculation Workshop, Geomorphology Fluvial Willamette Daisy; Restoration Demo Focal Approach to Restoring Basin Plateau; John Small Affect the Denise Giles- Sites: A Case Study from Habitat for Salmon and Growth and Johnson the Snake River Plain; Steelhead; Ryan Houston Community Driven Phenology of Anne Halford Eradication of Ludwigia Native Plants Fire as a Unifying The Role of Strategic Land Peploides from a Palustrine Raised for Agent in Prairie Weather Variability and Conservation: Securing Key Wetland in Portland, OR; Restoration; Restoration; Proactive Planning for Parcels for Restoration and Alexander Staunch Sasha Porter Adam Martin Post-fire Restoration in Long-Term Protection; Outcomes of Collaborative, 8:30 Wyoming Big Sage Amanda Egertson Seasonal Using Common Low-cost Riparian to Habitat; Stuart Hardegree Variability on Gardens to Assess Community Collaboration: Restoration of Grimes Factors 10 AM Climate Effects on Assessing Fuel Loads Socio-political Dynamics of Creek, Idaho, a Stream Promoting the Kincaid's Lupine; Across Successional and Modifying 100 Year Impacted by Dredge-mined
Establishment Southerland Barry Erin Gray Invasion Gradients in Irrigation Practices to Tailings; Chris Murphy of Desert Degraded Sagebrush Improve Watershed Mosses; Lea Species-specific Landscapes; Douglas Health; Mathias Pearle Age Structure of Riparian Responses to Site Aspen Woodlands in Condon Shinneman Preparation and Flow Restoration: Response to Long-Term Restoration of Spatiotemporal Sagebrush Responses to Innovative Approaches to Livestock Grazing and Landslides and Variation during Shifting Climate & Fire Restoring Stream Flow in Climate: A Landscape Scale Unstable Grassland Disturbances: Basic an Over-appropriated Arid Removal Experiment in the Slopes; David Restoration; Insights for Restoration; Watershed; Brett Golden NW Great Basin; David Polster Jonathan Bakker Matthew Germino Dobkin
14 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB THURSDAY MORNING 10 - 10:30 AM Break Location Golden Eagle A Golden Eagle B Golden Eagle C Golden Eagle D Summit High Desert Holistic Prairie Collaborative Scaling-up Restoration: Post-fire restoration Restoration in Collaborative Using Novel collaborations in the Morley Whychus Creek: Concurrent Riparian Education Contributed Tools and Nelson Snake River Birds of Restoring Habitat for Sessions Stewardship in Session Partnerships to Prey National Conservation Salmon and the Klamath Restore Whole Area Steelhead River Basin Ecosystems Reintroduction Moderator Tom Kaye Anne Halford Ryan Houston Laura Van Riper Kolleen Yake Recovery of Cooperative Habitat Whychus Creek at The Creeks and Creating Bridges to
Nelson’s Restoration Projects in the Camp Polk Meadow Communities Knowledge: Training F l checkermallow Idaho Army National Guard's Preserve: Restoring Model: Blending Incarcerated Men and u v i through large Orchard Combat Training natural channel the Biophysical Women in Ecological a l
scale production Center; Charles Baun processes; Cari Press and Social Restoration; Carl Elliott G e
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Sagebrush Seedlings with Camp Polk Meadow Forest Collaboration: p
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Native Arbuscular Preserve: Restoring Experience in the Blue o
Peter Moore Laura Van Riper l Mycorrhizae: Impacts on Root Wet Meadow Mountains of Oregon; o g y
Partnerships for Colonization, Mycorrhizal Vegetation; Karen The Biophysical Elaine Eisenbraun W 10:30
Restoring Invaded Community Composition, and Allen Dimension of o
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Making a Difference? Veterans and Wounded p
Regina Rochefort Understanding ,
Techniques to Improve the Measuring the Soldiers at Joint Base B Riparian Function; a r
Expanding Quality of Cheatgrass / Effectiveness of Lewis-McChord; Dennis r
Wayne Elmore y
partnerships and Crested Wheatgrass Restoration Aubrey S o prairie restoration Rangeland: Positive Investments; Lauren u t
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opportunities Implications for Sage Grouse, Mork e
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with managed Livestock, and Other Wildlife; a
Learning Approach to n grazing on private Matt Ricketts d and public lands; Ecological Restoration; Marty Chaney Margaret Boulay 12 - 1:30 Lunch and Awards (Juniper Hall 1 & 2)
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 15 THURSDAY AFTERNOON Location Golden Eagle A Golden Eagle B Golden Eagle C Golden Eagle D Summit High Desert Holistic Prairie Equipment and Scaling-up Restoration: Strategies to Enhance Collaborative Using Novel Establishment and Physical Ecology of Ecological Urban Restoration Concurrent Riparian Tools and Diversity of Post-fire Restoration Contributed Contributed Sessions Stewardship in Partnerships to Seedings in Former Session Session the Klamath River Restore Whole Wyoming Big Sagebrush Basin Ecosystems Communities Moderator Tom Kaye Nancy Shaw Stuart Hardegree Laura Van Riper Mary Bushman Flood, Fire, and Effects of Drilling and Characterizing Drought The Social 10 Years of Forage: Native Plant Seeding on Response Strategies in Western Dimension of Successful Reestablishing Vegetation in the North American Perennial Riparian Collaboration Oregon White Northern Great Basin; Grass Species and Ecotypes Stewardship: Among Rural and Workshop, Geomorphology Fluvial Oak Woodlands in Jeffrey Ott with Applications for Facilitating Urban Partners - South Central Restoration; Jennifer Collaborative Individual Project to Washington; Exotic Plant Species and Balachowski Processes; Mike Landscape Scale; James Evans Soil Characteristics of Lunn Laura Porter Rehabilitation Seedings Climate Change and Impacts in Collaborative Oak Following Wildfire in the Pacific Northwest; Angela Scaling-Up Lower Willamette and Prairie Northern Utah; Ann Hild Jensen Collaborative Natural Area Habitat Riparian Collaborative 1:30 Restoration at Linking Soil Erosion and Patterns of Abundance of Stewardship in the Restoration; Tonia to Willamette Plant Recovery under Principle Native and Non- Klamath River Burns Different Post-fire native Species across 3 PM University’s Zena Basin Using the Forest; Karen Seeding Techniques in Geographic Gradients in John Creeks and Are We There Yet? Wyoming Big Sagebrush Day Fossil Beds National The Green Seattle Arabas Communities Southerland Barry Communities; Beth Monument, Oregon; Daniel Model; Laura Van Partnership Turns The Role of Soil Newingham Esposito Riper 10; Michael Yadrick Moisture, Aspect and Seeding Rate Fire and Seed Drilling Predicting Foundation Kincaid Ravine: A in Upland Prairie Effects on Soil Water Bunchgrass Species Case Study of Restoration Infiltration in Great Basin Abundances: Model Assisted Collaborative Success in the Sagebrush Ecosystems; Prioritization of a Protected Restoration on the Willamette Amy Ganguli Area Sagebrush Steppe UW Campus in Valley; Briana Landscape for Restoration; Seattle, Washington; Lindh Tom Rodhouse Jim Cronan
16 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB THURSDAY AFTERNOON / EVENING 3 - 3:30 PM PM Break CLOSING PLENARY: Cara Nelson | Society for Ecological Restoration, University of Montana 3:30 – Emerging Topics in Ecological Restoration: Conference Synthesis and Future Directions 4:45 PM Dave Polster | Society for Ecological Restoration, Pacific Northwest North America Regional Representative 6:30 - 8 PM Student Mentoring Social (Golden Eagle C & D)
8 - 9 PM Student Chapter Meeting (Golden Eagle C & D)
FRIDAY MORNING Registration Open (Lobby, 7 AM - 9 AM) Field Trips meet in front of the Conference Center 9 AM – 4 PM 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM 8 AM - 2:30 PM 8:30 - 11:30 AM 8 AM - 1:30 PM 7 AM - 5 PM 8 AM - 4:30 PM Pelton Round Butte Shrub-Steppe Tour of the Invasive Project: Selective Fluvial Restoration Field Whychus Creek Bend Seed Glaze Forest Plant Water Withdrawl Geomorphology Trip – A Paired Restoration Extractory Restoration Tour Management Structure and Fish Field Methods Watershed Facility Transfer Facility Juniper Study Krista Farris, Upper Deschutes James Bartlett, Fish Kayla Herriman, Maret Pajutee, Barry Southerland, Mike Fisher, Ochoco NF Watershed Council, Passage Team Lead Region 6 Bend Project Lead/Ecologist USDA-NRCS Central Oregon Botanist Deschutes River and Fish Biologist Seed Extractory Darin Stringer, Frank Reckendorf, Community College Dave Polster Conservancy, Manager Pacific Stewardship Reckendorf and Tim Deboodt, Deschutes Land LLC Associates Oregon State Trust, Bill Munro, Russ Lawrence, University Deschutes Nat’l Wildlife Biologist/ StreamFix Extension Service Forest, Natural Resource Aequinox Team Leader Approx. 7 hr Approx. 4 hr Approx. 6.5 hr Walking only 1-2 miles of walking Approx. 9 hr Approx. 8.5 hr Lunch Short off-trail walks Light walking within facility Lunch included Lunch included Lunch included included at 3 locations Lunch included Lunch not Lunch included included
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 17 ABOUT THE CHAPTERS
SER Northwest Chapter www.sernw.org
The Society for Ecological Restoration Northwest (SERNW) is a non- profit membership organization dedicated to promoting ecological restoration as a means of sustaining the diversity of life in the Cascadia Bioregion and respectfully reconnecting cultures and ecosystems. SERNW members and partners are actively protecting and restoring ecosystems throughout the Cascadia Bioregion in the areas of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Northern California. Our members include practitioners, researchers, planners, consultants, students, indigenous peoples, landscape architects, teachers, artists, engineers, natural resource managers, social scientists, community leaders and volunteers.
Founded in 1993, SERNW has over 200 members throughout the Cascadia Bioregion. Although SERNW itself does not conduct ecological restoration projects, it serves the growing field of restoration by promoting and supporting the work of researchers and practitioners; disseminating guidance and best practices; and increasing awareness of, and public support for, restoration. SERNW activities include:
● Regional conferences - Organize biennial conferences and chapter meetings in the Chapter region where academics, practitioners, and students come together to exchange ideas, showcase their work, forge new alliances and participate in workshops, field trips and other educational activities ● Website & newsletter – Provide the exchange of vital information for restorationists in the region with a job board, and conference listing, and valuable articles pertinent to restoration topics in the region ● Restoration Highlights – Publish case studies and student project summaries on website ● Workshops – Sponsor practitioner workshops held annually or biennially
SER Great Basin Chapter http://chapter.ser.org/greatbasin
Organized in 2011, the Great Basin Chapter of the Society for Ecological Restoration provides a multidisciplinary forum for exchange of scientific and technical information among researchers, practitioners and others involved in ecological restoration. The chapter serves southeastern Oregon, southern Idaho, Nevada (north of the Mojave Desert), western Utah and northeastern California. Members are addressing multiple challenges including energy development, exotic invasives, altered fire regimes and climate change in plant communities ranging from salt desert shrublands to alpine communities. The Chapter has recently co-sponsored field tours with the Society for Range Management and the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) and held a workshop on operation and calibration of rangeland drills. The chapter now includes over 60 members and is directed by a board with representatives from throughout the region. Our 2015 chapter meeting will be held in Boise next summer, and will focus on science and management activities at the Morley Nelson, Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
18 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB JOIN US AT THE CHAPTER MEETINGS!
With members spread across our regions, this conference is a great opportunity to meet fellow members in person. We'll be talking about our Chapter programs for the coming year and getting your input.
SER Great Basin Monday High Desert Room 5:00 - 6:00 pm
SER Northwest Wednesday Golden Eagle C 12:30 - 1:30 pm
SER NORTHWEST WANTS YOUR RESTORATION HIGHLIGHT!
We are always looking for new Restoration Highlights to feature on our website and in our newletters! These articles are a great way to share restoration science, practices, techniques, monitoring, and successes and failures.
Share your knowledge and insights with your peers!
Case studies Restoration updates on works in progress Student research and monitoring
Submission guidelines are posted on the publications page of SERNW’s website: www.sernw.org
EARN CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS AT THIS CONFERENCE!
Attendance at the SERNW-GB Regional Conference can qualify you for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through Society for Range Management towards your Professional in Range Management Certification! CEU forms are available at the registration desk. Completed forms should be returned to the registration desk for signature and submission to SRM.
Visit the registration desk to learn about other CEUs on offer for this conference!
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 19 PLENARY SPEAKERS
Mark W. Brunson Professor, Department of Environment and Society, Utah State University “Restoration as a collaborative endeavor: engaging stakeholders, embracing differences” Mark Brunson is a professor in the Environment and Society Department in Utah State University’s Quinney College of Natural Resources. Current studies investigate how social and institutional factors interact with biological invasions and climate in rangelands and forests to influence the success of restoration projects following wildfire; how cultural and environmental factors interact to influence perceptions of wildfire risk and willingness to take steps to reduce risk; and how to engage stakeholders in setting feasible water quality standards in impaired water bodies.
John Abatzoglou Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, University of Idaho “Opportunities to incorporate multi-scalar climate information for restoration decision making: where we are today and where we need to go” John earned his doctoral degree in Earth Systems Science in 2006 from the University of California Irvine after getting his BS in Atmospheric Science from the University of California, Davis. He conducts climate related research specific to western North America and is engaged in several aspects of applied climatology and meteorology specific to wildfire and agriculture. John's research portfolio includes better understanding regional projections of climate change and associated impacts across the western US.
James McIver Senior Research Associate Professor Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center, Oregon State University “On the conduct of collaborative restoration research: Lessons from two case studies” Major research emphasis is inter-disciplinary effects assessment of management practices in forest and rangeland ecosystems, including prescribed burning, mechanical treatments, and livestock grazing. Trained as an entomologist, Jim evaluates effects of these land management practices on invertebrates, including ants, spiders, butterflies, and pollinators. He is also involved in studies on ant foraging ecology and the ecology of insect defensive adaptations.
Cara Nelson Associate Professor in the Ecosystem & Conservation Sciences Dept at University of Montana, Director of the UM’s Ecological Restoration Program, Chair of the International SER Board “Emerging Topics in Ecological Restoration: Conference Synthesis and Future Directions” Cara’s research and teaching aim to increase knowledge about ecological processes and their application to the restoration of terrestrial ecosystems. Specifically, she and her students study: 1) the effects of abiotic and biotic disturbance on vegetation, 2) the efficacy and ecological impacts of restoration treatments, and 3) the conceptual basis for ecological restoration. Cara is active in efforts to increase awareness among educators and decision makers about knowledge and training needed to improve the quality of restoration practice.
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The Bureau of Land Management manages over 245 millions acres of public lands. The BLM’s Plant Conservation Program works with partners to develop native plant species for restoration, rehabilitation, and reclamation. www.blm.gov/plants
Berta Youtie incorporated Eastern Oregon Stewardship Services (EOSS) in 2003 to assist with Intermountain West restoration projects on private and public lands. Berta also coordinates a non-profit native plant cooperative (Deschutes Basin Native Plant Seedbank).
The Great Basin Native Plant Project is focused on developing genetically appropriate and adapted plant materials to support researchers and land managers in developing sound management and successful restoration practices in the face of threats from invasive species, shifting fire regimes, and rapid climate change.
The Great Basin Fire Science Delivery Project connects managers and scientists to improve pre- and post-fire management decisions by providing relevant information and access to technical expertise
Decagon Devices is a world leader in research grade environmental instrumentation. We have instruments that cover soils, plant canopy and micrometeorological applications. To measure plant response to restoration treatments or soil-water interactions we have the instrument for you.
L & H Seeds has over 30 years of experience producing native grass, forb and shrub seed for western landscapes, offering numerous cultivars, local accessions and wildland harvested species for native restoration projects in the Northwest.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 21 Rainier Seed has been an expert in the field for more than 25 years, helping people manage their land resources by providing a reliable supply of premium-quality seed. Native seed is our specialty. www.rainierseeds.com
SERGB supports innovative science and management partnerships to encourage and promote ecological restoration of disturbed Intermountain rangeland, forest, alpine and riparian ecosystems.
SERNW promotes ecological restoration to restore and sustain the diversity of life in the Cascadia Bioregion, providing a forum for a diverse, multidisciplinary community to share insights and discoveries.
Society for Range Management (SRM) is the professional society dedicated to supporting persons who work with rangelands and who have a commitment to the conservation and sustainable management of rangelands for the benefit of current societies and future generations.
Truax Company, Inc. manufactures precision, no-till grain and grass drills and broadcast seeders for agriculture, conservation and reclamation seeding needs. Check our full line-up of seeders at www.truaxcomp.com or [email protected]
The Washington Association of Conservation Districts (WACD) is a voluntary non-profit association serving as the unified voice speaking for the interests of 45 conservation districts and landowners in all parts of the state.
22 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB SPECIAL EVENTS
MONDAY Welcome Social 6:00 – 7:30 PM Golden Eagle Foyer
TUESDAY Poster Session & Social 6:00 – 8:00 PM Golden Eagle A & B
WEDNESDAY Silent Auction 5:00 – 7:00 PM Golden Eagle Foyer Happy Hour 5:30 – 6:30 PM Juniper Hall 2 Banquet 6:30 – 8:30 PM Juniper Hall 2 Music & Dance 8:30 – 10:00 PM Juniper Hall 2 THURSDAY Student Mentoring Social 6:30 – 8:00 PM Golden Eagle C & D
BANQUET
SPEAKER: Maret Pajutee District Ecologist, Sisters Ranger Deschutes National Forest
“Powerful Partnerships to Restore Forests and Rivers”
Central Oregon is the home of many innovative collaborations of varying scope and colors. Three partnerships are featured ranging from restoration work on Wild and Scenic Rivers to bike rides and salmon reintroduction to old growth forest.
MUSIC: The Rum and the Sea
Bend local favorite is sure to get you dancing with blues, Irish folk/ bluegrass romps, infectious melodies and fine vocal harmonies!
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 23 SPECIAL EVENTS
POSTER SESSION GOLDEN EAGLE ROOMS A & B TUESDAY EVENING 6 - 8 PM Many examples of ecological restoration and case studies are best presented through poster exhibits and direct conversation with the practitioner. We have received a rich collection of posters that will be presented during the Tuesday poster session. The topics of the posters include wetland and aquatic environments, seeds and seeding, sagebrush community restoration, remote sensing and vegetation classification, and weed management. Researchers, professionals and practitioners, intimately familiar with these case studies will be available to answer questions and provide insights that can only be delivered one-on-one. The posters will remain on display for the duration of the conference to reach a very broad audience. We welcome you to a diverse display of ecological restoration in a relaxed atmosphere.
STUDENT MENTORING SESSION GOLDEN EAGLE ROOMS C & D THURSDAY EVENING 6:30 - 8 PM Students! We invite you to join our Student Mentoring Social on Thursday evening, hosted by Island Press. The field of ecological restoration is remarkably broad and colorful as can be seen from the diverse program of technical sessions, workshops and field trips that we have assembled for this conference. Most jobs will require more than one job description for the ecological restoration practitioner or scientist. Many students wanting to enter the field of ecological restoration ask questions on how to start a career in the field or inquire about how job profiles of consultants, non-profit groups, or government agencies differ. Here is your chance to pose your questions to various professionals in a side by side forum. We encourage students to participate and get to meet people who have years of research and field experience while starting to build their professional networks. Restoration practitioners are encouraged to share their experiences, get to know the next generation of environmental professionals, and highlight how they ended up in their current career. During this event we will present the winner of the “Student Poster Contest.”
STUDENT CHAPTER MEETING GOLDEN EAGLE ROOMS C & D THURSDAY EVENING 8 - 9 PM
Interested in joining a SER Student Chapter or starting a new one at your school? Meet fellow restoration students from all over the Pacific Northwest and Great Basin regions!
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Great Basin Sagebrush Restoration in Post Fire Landscapes – From Production Fields to Applied Research and Demonstration Areas Organizer: Nancy Shaw, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station Human impacts including climate change are negatively impacting sagebrush and its communities throughout the Great Basin and Interior Northwest. Ongoing efforts to conserve and improve the resilience of existing communities and to re-establish sagebrush and associated native species have met with varying success. This symposium will focus on approaches for assessing site conditions and improving the potential for success of native seedlings and plantings. Presenters will discuss selection of plant materials adapted to planting site conditions, production of high quality seed in agricultural fields, propagation of planting stock, and planting techniques to reduce exotic invasives and favor the establishment of seedlings and multi-species mixes.
Holistic Prairie Restoration: Using novel tools and partnerships to restore whole ecosystem structure and functioning Organizer: Tom Kaye, Institute for Applied Ecology The listing of threatened and endangered species by the Endangered Species Act necessitates that, as restorationists and researchers, we focus our efforts and ideas around the needs of individual species in decline. However, more often than not, the decline of an individual species is due to the collapse of its home habitat. As we aim to recover rare species and restore habitat across the globe, we are challenged to think beyond single- species restoration to larger ecosystem structure and functioning. This approach requires complex thinking, diverse partnerships and novel tools in our ever-changing landscapes.
The Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project: Building Community Support for Restoration Organizer: Phil Chang, Central Oregon Field Representative at US Senator Jeff Merkley In Central Oregon we derive great value and sense of place from our forests and the benefits they provide for nature and people: diverse wildlife, recreational playgrounds, forest products, clean water, and clean air, just to name a few. Much of our prized forestlands however, are highly altered after a century of overharvesting and fire suppression. Fortunately, a series of increasingly large and complex collaborative successes in Central Oregon has provided the opportunity to derive viable solutions that integrate the myriad ecological, social, and economic dimensions of restoring highly-valued and highly-used fire-adapted forest ecosystems. Our collaborative efforts have evolved from grassroots, site-specific projects to those that build a common understanding and shared vision for landscape-scale forest restoration with broad community support. Collaborative approaches to natural resource planning have broken down the gridlock of the late 20th some of the most challenging restoration issues in the West including the ever increasing recreation and wildland urban interface in forest management. In this symposium we will introduce you to the ecological, economic, and community values of our Central Oregon forests. The Use of Seed Zones to Ensure Adapted Plant Material for Restoration Projects Organizer: Brad St. Clair, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station Seed zones and population movement guidelines are used to ensure adapted plant material for restoration and reforestation. Results from genecology studies are becoming available for many native plant species used in restoration. These studies indicate considerable geographic variation in adaptive traits that may be used to
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 25 SYMPOSIA develop seed zones and population movement guidelines. Yet questions remain as to how to use seed zones during the collection, production, storage, and deployment of native plant material. This symposia will present background on the study of plant adaptation and the development of seed zones followed by presentations on the operational experiences and issues associated with use of seed zones during the production and deployment of native plant material.
Restoring Aquatic Habitat to Preserve Warm Springs Tribal Treaty Rights Organizer: Scott Turo, The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon – Fisheries Department mission is to provide fish populations at harvestable levels for the Tribal membership in perpetuity. The Tribal Fish Habitat Program works within the Deschutes and John Day Basins creating an immediate uplift in habitat quality and quantity, while restoring the process and function that creates and maintains fish habitat over the long-term. This work incorporates the diverse values that exist on the Reservation and across the natural resource based communities of the John Day Basin. This symposium is intended to provide the audience with an overview of the Tribes’ importance and linkage to the socioeconomic, political, and ecological landscape concerning the recovery of anadromous salmonids, across an 8,000-square mile basin.
Side Channel Restoration using Large Woody Debris Organizer: Perry Brooks, Natural Systems Design As a project partner with the Kittitas Conservation Trust, Natural Systems Design has developed an innovative restoration plan that expands salmon and steelhead spawning and rearing habitat within a two-mile reach of the lower Cle Elum River in northern Kittitas County, WA. This project is particularly important because of the collaborative effort between the Kittitas Conservation District, Suncadia Lodge and the local irrigation district, providing improved fisheries while utilizing annual flow regimes with no adverse impacts to irrigation demands. The project site is two miles downstream of the Lake Cle Elum Dam where regulated flows have simplified in- stream habitat, eliminated peak winter flows, incised the main-stem channel and decreased the river’s ability to maintain historic side-channel networks. Restoration goals include expansion of anadromous fish populations, including Spring Chinook, Mid-Columbia Steelhead, coho, and sockeye, by increasing in-stream habitat abundance and complexity and refuge from high velocity flows. Restoration will re-engage five miles of relic side channel habitat within the project reach through strategic placement of large wood and engineered log jams (ELJs). An Ecological Approach to Flood Hazard Reduction and Associated Floodplain Restoration along Urbanized Streams Organizer: Thomas F. Hesseldenz, Hesseldenz and Associates Cities are often located in active floodplains. Traditional methods of reducing flood hazards have consisted of structural solutions such as levees, revetments, channelization, and upstream dams and diversions. While these solutions have worked to varying degrees, they have also reduced the ecological health of affected streams. Urbanized streams also tend to become highly incised due to increased hydraulics from loss of floodplain access and increased peak flows. Ecological approaches to urban stream restoration are limited by the inability to raise or re-route streams to re-access historic floodplains due the extent of adjacent development. A different ecological approach has been developed in the City of Yreka, California that consists of lowering the banks along deeply incised channels to create new accessible floodplains close to existing stream levels. Modeling has shown that this approach can potentially contain up to 100-year or larger flood events within the newly-created floodways, and can also satisfy geomorphological requirements for healthy channels and floodplains. Once floodplain function has been restored, instream and riparian restoration can also be achieved.
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Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists and Ecologists Organizer: Katie Chipko, Deschutes Children’s Forest Collaborative efforts in Central Oregon have had strong success of engaging local students in education and stewardship activities that are connected to large-scale restoration projects. This symposium brings together formal and non-formal educators and natural resource professionals to share how restoration priorities can be closely aligned with educational objectives and provide opportunities that work towards creating the next generation of conservationists and ecologists. Teachers will share several success stories of incorporating long- term field studies into their curriculum that are interdisciplinary, hands-on, and impactful. Presenters will emphasize the strong need for local students to become engaged and educated future stewards to ensure that the investments and successes of current restoration projects are not undone in a generation. As the first nationally recognized Children’s Forest in the Pacific Northwest, DCF emerged out of a dynamic coalition of committed and diverse partners including educators, natural resource and recreation professionals, conservationists, and health care professionals. Collaborative efforts can help level the playing field to ensure that these opportunities are available to all students, including underserved communities and students with disabilities.
Energy Mitigation – From Policy to Restoration Opportunities Organizer: Anne Halford, USDI Bureau of Land Management Energy infrastructure development continues to expand across the west requiring continued landscape-level and multi partner planning efforts. The alignment of these planning efforts with project-related mitigation opportunities requires that regional conservation priorities are coordinated with other agencies. This landscape approach would not only increase the conservation value to Northwest and Great Basin ecosystems, but also facilitate the leveraging of mitigation projects and greatly improve the effectiveness of project-related mitigation investments. This Symposium will integrate both energy mitigation policies from federal and state agencies with case studies where these policies dovetail with on-the-ground applications. The Symposium format will allow presenters and audience an opportunity to increase their awareness of where policy and applied mitigation objectives are consistent as well as where differences exist. Because the restoration community is integrally tied to both the planning and implementation phases of Energy Mitigation this Symposium would offer a productive forum for idea and tool sharing. Stewardship in the Siuslaw National Forest: Whole watershed restoration for ecological and economic benefit Organizer: Chandra LeGue, Oregon Wild The Siuslaw National Forest on the Oregon coast once saw some of the bitterest battles over old-growth logging in the Pacific Northwest. But a shift towards ecological restoration, guided by the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan and continued through the authorization of stewardship contracting in 2001, has made the Siuslaw a model for the entire region, working with local collaborative groups designing successful restoration projects, generating funds to accomplish restoration work, and focusing on projects and work that translate into local jobs and economic benefits. Since 2001, stewardship contracts on the Siuslaw have resulted in thousands of acres of commercial thinning in plantations, delivering tens of millions of board feet to local mills. More than $3 million of retained receipts from these stewardship timber sales have been invested in projects that restore threatened fish and wildlife habitat, improve water quality, and build working relationships between rural landowners and the managers of neighboring public land. And over $1 million more non-federal dollars have been generated to achieve restoration goals, highlighting the strong public-private partnerships and support that has been developed for such work. This model of management offers a sustainable future for our public lands, and
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 27 SYMPOSIA demonstrates what can be accomplished when dedicated agency personnel and community members come together, in a whole watershed approach, to identify problems and create solutions.
Collaborative Restoration in Whychus Creek: Restoring habitat for salmon and steelhead reintroduction Organizer: Ryan Houston, Upper Deschutes Watershed Council Whychus Creek, a 40-mile-long tributary of the Deschutes River in Central Oregon, is the focus of intensive restoration efforts because it is central to the successful reintroduction of salmon and steelhead into the Upper Deschutes River sub-basin. The reintroduction program, led by Portland General Electric, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, seeks to bring steelhead trout and Chinook salmon back to the Upper Deschutes River sub-basin for the first time in more than 50 years by reestablishing fish passage at the Pelton Round Butte dams on the Deschutes River. This reintroduction program, supported by more than 20 partners and spanning several decades, is the largest anadromous fish reintroduction program on the West Coast and has catalyzed a large scale habitat restoration effort. The members of The Deschutes Partnership have committed to an integrated approach to watershed restoration based on collaboration, leverage, strategic integration, and the open sharing of organizational resources. Over the past eight years, this approach has increased the pace and scale of restoration work in Whychus Creek and brought efficiency, focus and leverage to achieve significant restoration outcomes.
Collaborative Restoration in Central Oregon: Linking a land trust, academia, and restoration professionals Organizer: Matthew Orr, Oregon State University One of the most consistent gaps in ecological restoration occurs at the stage of post-project monitoring. One of the most consistent gaps in academia is the dearth of opportunities for undergraduates to learn outside of the classroom and to interact with non-academic professionals in their field of study. For the past eight years, the Deschutes Land Trust has partnered with Oregon State University-Cascades and local restoration professionals to conduct original research in ecological restoration. This symposium will examine the logistics of creating an undergraduate field course in ecological restoration and describe research in forest, upland, and riparian restoration that has been conducted during the course. It will illustrate how undergraduate field courses can provide a practical mechanism for conducting long-term experiments and monitoring in restoration. Research topics include how to remove a cheatgrass seedbank; performance success of local vs. nonlocal seed; use of beetle pheromones to restore standing dead wood to a forest; and wet meadow vegetation recovery after a stream re-meander.
Scaling-Up Collaborative Riparian Stewardship in the Klamath Basin Organizers: Wayne Elmore, Mike Lunn, and Laura Van Riper This symposium will review the principles and practices used and lessons learned from over a decade of effort to establish and ultimately scale-up collaborative riparian stewardship in the Klamath River Basin. Since the early 2000s, National Riparian Service Team (NRST) members and associates have worked in the Klamath using an approach that recognizes and attends to both the biophysical and social dimensions of riparian stewardship. This approach, which has been successfully used across the west, provides diverse individuals with an opportunity to interact with riparian resources and each other based on:(1) shared knowledge of riparian function and the attributes and processes that create and maintain sustainable conditions; and (2) the ability to effectively navigate conflicts and engage the people who most affect and are affected by the condition of riparian areas.
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Symposium presenters will highlight the team’s (NRST) involvement in Klamath – beginning with the Yainix ranch inin the the Sprague Sprague River River Basin. Basin. Since Since its its purchase purchase by by an an innovative innovative partnership partnership effort effort in in 2002, 2002, the the Yainix Yainix has has become become a model for collaborative riparian stewardship. Over a decade later, the restoration practices, relationships and lessonslessons from from the the Yainix Yainix partnership partnership have have carried carried forward forward into into the the Sprague, Sprague, as as well well as as other other communities communities and and watersheds stretching from the headwaters to the Pacific. They have also served as a cornerstone of basin-wide water settlement negotiations and agreements.
Stream Restoration Symposium Organizer: Frank Reckendorf, Reckendorf and Associates The symposium will cover stream processes and measurements that should be made along any stream where all work along the streams or stream banks is proposed. We will be alternating four instructors for that symposium. ItIt will will start start with with physics physics before before biology, biology, introduction introduction to to geomorphic geomorphic hydrology, hydrology, fluvial fluvial processes processes in in riparian riparian areas, and end on the importance of wood in the aquatic habitat. The Stream Restoration Symposium is continued through a Technical Session on Wednesday on the subject of stream restoration, including planning, evaluation, design, installation, and monitoring of stream restoration projects.
Sage STEP – Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project Organizer: Jim McIver SageSTEP isis a a regional regional experiment experiment evaluating evaluating methods methods of of sagebrush sagebrush steppe steppe restoration restoration in in the the Great Great Basin. Basin. Sagebrush communities have been identified as one of the most threatened land types in North America, and as much as half of this land type has already been lost in the Great Basin. From 2005-2010, fuels treatments were implemented at study sites and SageSTEP scientists began looking at the short-term effects of land management options on a variety of ecosystem components. In 2011, we began a long-term monitoring phase of the project to better understand the changes in response to treatment over time. Research results are being used to provide resource managers with information to make restoration management decisions with reduced risk and uncertainty.
CARBON OFFSETS FOR THE CONFERENCE
In an effort to offset energy use at the conference and for attendee travel, we will be donating a portion of your registration fee to restoration work in Whychus Creek Canyon, in the Upper Deschutes Basin. We are partnering with the Deschutes Watershed Council for this program.
You may contribute additionally to this fund through our website or the donation box at our registration desk. Thank you for your donation!
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 29 WORKSHOPS
Several workshops will be offered throughout the conference. In order to participate in a workshop, you must register for at least one day of the conference, and register for the specific workshop you wish to attend at the registration desk.
Ecological Approach to Invasive Plant Management David F. Polster – Polster Environmental Services Ltd. Schedule: Monday, October 6, High Desert Room Cost: $115 This workshop will present an ecological approach to invasive plant management, where vegetation management systems are designed to work with natural successional processes. This is an intensive, content- heavy course. A course manual is supplied. Topics to be addressed include: ● Identification and Ecology of Invasive Species ● Strategies for Dealing with Invasive Species ● Identification of the problem – mapping and sampling ● Ecological Approach to Vegetation Management ● Managing native invaders and unwanted vegetation ● Hand and power tools for dealing with invasive species ● Herbicides ● Management of crews ● Monitoring
Making and Using Precision Inexpensive Seed Cleaning Equipment Robert Karrfalt – Director USFS Seed Laboratory Schedule: Half day, Tuesday, October 7, High Desert Room Cost: $80 Native seed cleaning is often a challenge and equipment can be expensive. Hand cleaning is very tedious and time consuming. Several inexpensive precision homemade seed cleaning devices will be constructed and used by participants. Examples of equipment included seed aspirators, seed blowers, length separators, seed driers, and moisture testers. Participants are encouraged to bring their own seed samples to clean.
Introduction to Rivermorph Software Michael Adams Jr, PE – LEED AP Stantec Schedule: 3:30-5:00 PM, Wednesday, October 8, High Desert Room No extra registration necessary. This workshop will now be held as a technical presentation with questions and answers. Procedures for processing geomorphic data and performing stream assessments using the RIVERMorph Software. Participants will gain an understanding of geomorphic data which must be obtained to properly evaluate a stream system, will be given a review of geomorphic data collection techniques and will learn how to process and interpret geomorphic data using the RIVERMorph Software.
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Application of Fluvial Geomorphic Processes to River Restoration Dr. Barry Southerland – Fluvial Geomorphologist, NRCS West National Technology Dr. Frank Reckendorf – Fluvial Geomorphologist, Reckendorf & Assoc. Russ Lawrence P.E., M.S. – Fluvial Geomorphologist, StreamFix Schedule: Full day, Thursday, October 9, High Desert Room Cost: $125 *This workshop is being offered in conjunction with the Fluvial Geomorphology Field Day. Please see the Field Trip page for more information* Fluvial geomorphic processes create complex relationships for flow, streambed, streambank, vegetation, and in- stream large woody debris. This workshop will explore flow conditions that influence dimension, pattern, and profile of streams. Gaging station analysis will be shown using Rivermorph to determine bankfull stage conditions. Development of regional curves for stream hydraulic geometry will be presented as well as associated bed shear. Determination of stream competency and capacity will be covered. Streambank erosion evaluation procedures will be explored including BEHI, along with establishing floodplain connectivity. The evaluations will be based on field cross sections, long bed profile, and streambed planform characteristics like, step:pool and pool:riffle. Streambank and bed materials are shown as part of the basic evaluation to make a determination of what is the appropriate treatment for the site conditions. Basic data that should be required for permits are presented. The workshop will show the integration of riparian vegetation and soil bioengineering intointo the the bank bank treatment treatment and and emphasize emphasize the the use use of of large large wood wood like like rootwads rootwads into into bank bank treatment. treatment. Specific Specific types types of bank treatments like wood vanes, J’s, bank rootwads, engineering log jams, rootwad roughness structures, and toe wood will be explored. Participants need to bring appropriate apparel and waders.
SUPPORT NORTHWEST & GREAT BASIN STUDENTS! WEDNESDAY, OCT 8 5 - 7 PM GOLDEN EAGLE FOYER
Bid on Island Press books, local seeds and other items. All proceeds will support SER Northwest & Great Basin students! Big thanks to Island Press and others for their generous donations
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 31 FIELD TRIPS
Post-conference field trips to a number of sites throughout central Oregon will be offered on Friday, October 10th. Register at the registration desk! Field Trip buses meet in front of the Eagle Crest Conference Center, at the times indicated below.
Whychus Creek Restoration Led by: Representatives from Upper Deschutes Watershed Council, Deschutes River Conservancy, Deschutes Land Trust, Deschutes Nat’l Forest, and Aequinox Tour: 4 hours total (short off-trail walks at three locations), 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM Cost: $50 (includes lunch) Whychus Creek, a 40-mile-long tributary of the Deschutes River in Central Oregon, is the focus of intensive restoration efforts because it is central to the successful reintroduction of salmon and steelhead into the Upper Deschutes River sub-basin. This field trip will explore some of the on-the-ground restoration projects that are focused on restoring high quality fish habitat in Whychus Creek, including fish passage, fish screening and stream/floodplain restoration. The field trip will visit three locations along the creek and be led by local biologists, hydrologists and ecologists from non-profit organizations and state / federal agencies.
Pelton Round Butte Project: Selective Water Withdrawal Structure and Fish Transfer Facility Led by: James Bartlett, Fish Passage Team Lead and Fish Biologist Tour: 6.5 hours, light walking, 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM Cost: $50 (includes lunch) The Construction of the Round Butte Dam on the Deschutes River in the early 60’s effectively blocked any anadromous fish from accessing their historic habitats above the dam. The hydroelectric project was re-licensed through the FERC process, with a new license issued in 2005. The re-licensing process took an in depth look at why the fish passage system of the original dam did not succeed. It was determined that water temperature and lake currents were a major downstream passage issue with the outgoing smolts. Under the guidance of local agency resource advisors, Portland General Electric undertook a huge project to retrofit the existing intake structure to allow water to be drafted from the top as well as the bottom of the reservoir. In addition, the structure also has the capacity to screen fish from up to 5000 CFS. The success of the structure has allowed the reintroduction of salmon, steelhead and sockeye salmon above the dam.
Tour of the Bend Seed Extractory Facility Led by: Kayla Herriman, Region 6 Bend Seed Extractory Manager Tour: 3 hours, walking only within facility, 8:30 AM – 11:30 PM Cost: $30 The Bend Seed Extractory is an interagency function that involves customers from a number of Federal agencies (i.e. FS, BLM, Federal Highways, BIA, National Parks, Department of Defense) and other governmental organizations. The extractory processes, tests, and packages seed collections of native non-conifer species ranging from a handful to a thousand pounds, as well as any conifer species ranging from one to thousands of bushels. This includes more than 2,800 different native species. We also work to develop native species seed cleaning protocols and provide those methods to any federal, state or private native species seed processing facilities.
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Glaze Forest Restoration Tour Led by: Maret Pajutee, Project Lead/Ecologist, Darin Stringer, Pacific Stewardship LLC, and Bill Munro, Wildlife Biologist/Natural Resource Team Leader Tour: 5 hours, 1-2 miles of walking, 8:00 AM - 1:30 PM Cost: $50 (includes lunch) Explore the groundbreaking restoration project initiated by Tim Lillebo of Oregon Wild, Industry partners, and the Forest Service to break barriers of mistrust and create a template on how people with diverse viewpoints can cooperate to achieve ecosystem, community, and economic values. Tim passed away this year but the spirit of the Glaze collaboration lives on. Restoration issues included: diameter limits, variable mosaic thinning to re- create historic patterns, enhancing wildlife habitat, aspen regeneration, protecting rare plant habitats, working in the urban interface, and riparian thinning to maintain stream shade.
Fluvial Geomorphology Field Methods Led by: W. Barry Southerland, Fluvial Geomorphologist at USDA-NRCS Western National Technical Services Center, Frank Reckendorf, Fluvial Geomorphologist at Reckendorf and Associates, and Russ Lawrence, Fluvial Geomorphologist, StreamFix Tour: Approximately 9 hours, 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Cost: $125 (includes lunch) * To participate in this field day, registrants must attend the Fluvial Geomorphology Workshop on Oct 9th* Participants in this field day will learn field techniques and data collection methods in a hands-on environment. Learn stream inventory techniques using equipment measuring stream dimensions, profiles, particle size analysis and streambank stability. Observe natural channel restoration on Wychus Creek aimed to improve habitat for redband trout, chinook and steelhead salmonid habitat by designing a geomorphically stable natural channel.
Invasive Plant Management Led by: Krista Farris, Ochoco NF Botanist and Dave Polster, Polster Environmental Services Tour: Approximately 7 hours, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Cost: $50 (includes lunch) This field trip will be held in conjunction with the workshop “Ecological Approach to Invasive Plant Management”, however, it is not necessary to attend the workshop to join the field trip. The field trip will visit local sites of invasive plant restoration to discuss and apply ecological approaches learned during the workshop. Participants will have a chance at hands-on site treatment during this full-day field trip.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 33 FIELD TRIPS
Shrub-Steppe Restoration Field Trip – A Paired Watershed Juniper Study Led by: Mike Fisher, Professor at Central Oregon Community College, and Tim Deboodt, Staff Chair at Oregon State University Extension Service Field time: Approximately 8.5 hours, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Cost: $50 (includes lunch) Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) encroachment has been associated with increased soil loss and reduced infiltration resulting in the loss of native herbaceous plant communities and the bird and animal species that rely on them. In 1993, a paired watershed study was initiated the Mays and Jenson watershed, within the Camp Creek drainage, a tributary of the Crooked River of central Oregon, to evaluate the impacts of cutting western juniper on the hydrologic function of those sites. The study involved a paired watershed approach to evaluate changes in a system’s water budget following the reduction of western juniper. In 2006, juniper removal was conducted in the Mays watershed. Seven years post-treatment, comparisons continue to be made between the two watersheds. Participants will hike from one watershed to the other (1.5 miles), appropriate hiking gear is required. The site is approximately 80 miles from Eagle Crest.
NOTES ______
34 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS & AUTHORS
ALL ABSTRACTS AVAILABLE IN SEARCHABLE INDEX ONLINE AT: www.restoration2014.org Click the ABSTRACTS tab
Sage STEP Symposium Session Chair: James McIver | Oregon State University
Vegetation Restoration in Response to Piñon and Juniper Control Treatments Bruce A. Roundy, Jordan Bybee, Kert Young, April Hulet, Zachary Aanderud, Richard F. Miller, Robin J. Tausch, Jeanne C. Chambers With an average of over 340,000 ha of piñon and juniper woodlands in the Great Basin burned by wildfire annually, managers are implementing fuel reduction treatments to maintain sagebrush communities. We measured vegetation response to prescribed fire and cutting on 11 sites across the Great Basin and response to tree shredding on 44 sites in the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau. On untreated plots, tree infilling resulted in >50% loss in shrub cover at >20 to >35% tree cover and >50% loss of perennial herbaceous cover at >35 to >55% tree cover, depending on the population of study sites. Three years after treatment, prescribed fire produced perennial herbaceous plant communities on most sites, but resulted in weed dominance on a few warmer sites. Mechanical treatments resulted in shrub and perennial herbaceous communities if implemented before intermediate infilling or perennial herbaceous communities when implemented at more advanced infilling. Vegetation response to tree reduction is driven by increased soil water and nutrient availability. Dominance by cheatgrass and other annual weeds is more likely on warmer sites, where high weed cover occurs before treatment, and where perennial grass cover is lacking. Perennial grass cover is key to resilience of sagebrush steppe systems by resisting weed dominance and erosion after disturbance. Seeding desirable perennial herbaceous species may help restore desirable perennials when used in conjunction with tree reduction at advanced phases of infilling or where weed dominance is a concern.
Post-treatment Indicators of Cheatgrass Increases: Could Fuel Treatments Create Fuel Problems? David A. Pyke, Jeanne C. Chambers, Eugene W. Schupp, Paul S. Doescher If arid sagebrush ecosystems lack resilience to disturbances or resistance to annual invasives, then alternative successional states dominated by annual invasives, especially cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.), are likely after fuel treatments. We identified six Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Beetle & Young) locations (152-381 mm precipitation) that we believed had sufficient resilience and resistance for recovery. As part of a larger study, we examined impacts of woody fuel reduction (fire, mowing, the herbicide tebuthiuron and untreated controls, all with and without the herbicide imazapic) on cheatgrass dominance using ANOVA. We also examined potential indicators of cheatgrass cover including distances among perennial plants (gaps), density of perennial grasses, cover of mosses and lichens, and bare ground cover. Initial results (years 1-3 post-treatment) indicated that cheatgrass was increasing with increases in perennial gap distances and bare ground, and with decreases in lichen and moss cover in fire and mowing treatments, but imazapic held cheatgrass in check while increasing bare ground. Imazapic did not appear to result in increased perennial plant cover and may delay the increase in cheatgrass until it degrades in the soil. Preliminary results indicate that by year 4, cheatgrass was increasing in cover above control levels in these treatments. Fire, mowing, and imazapic
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 35 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY may be effective in reducing fuels for three years, but each has potentially undesirable consequences on plant communities, some of which may contribute to fuel levels.
Can an Understanding of Resilience and Resistance Be Used to Predict Treatment Outcomes in Sagebrush Ecosystems? Jeanne C. Chambers, Richard F. Miller, David A. Pyke, David I. Board, Bruce A. Roundy, James B. Grace, Eugene W. Schupp, Robin J. Tausch Management treatments in sagebrush ecosystems aim to enhance resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasive species by reducing woody fuels and increasing native perennial herbaceous species. We used Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project data to test predictions on effects of fire vs. mechanical treatments on resilience and resistance of three site types exhibiting cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) invasion and/or piñon and juniper (Pinus monophylla Torr. and Frem.) and juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook., J. osteosperma [Torr.] Little) expansion: (1) warm and dry Wyoming big sagebrush (WY shrub); (2) warm and moist Wyoming big sagebrush (WY PJ); and (3) cool and moist mountain big sagebrush (Mtn PJ). Soil temperature and moisture regimes and cover of native, perennial herbs were the best predictors of resilience and resistance. Warm and dry (mesic/aridic) WY shrub sites had lower resilience to fire (less shrub recruitment and native perennial herbaceous response) than cooler and moister (frigid/xeric) WY PJ and Mtn PJ sites. Warm (mesic) WY Shrub and WY PJ sites had lower resistance to annual exotics than cool (frigid to cool frigid) Mtn PJ sites. In WY shrub, fire and sagebrush mowing had similar effects on shrub cover and, thus, on perennial native herbaceous and exotic cover. In WY PJ and Mtn PJ, effects were greater for fire than cut-and-leave treatments and with high tree cover in general because most woody vegetation was removed increasing resources for other functional groups. In WY shrub, about 20% pre-treatment perennial native herb cover was necessary to prevent increases in exotics after treatment. Cooler and moister WY PJ and especially Mtn PJ were more resistant to annual exotics, but perennial native herb cover was still required for recovery. We used our results to develop state- and-transition models based on resilience and resistance, and have incorporated this information into several management guides.
Equipment and Strategies to Enhance Establishment and Diversity of Post-fire Seedings in Former Wyoming Big Sagebrush Communities Session Chair: Therese Meyer | Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
Wildfire and Native Bees in the Great Basin Byron Love, James Cane Wildfires in the Great Basin have increased both in frequency and intensity within the past century. Livestock grazing, exotic grasses and a changing climate are perpetuating a downward ecological spiral of destructive fire and weeds. As part of a landscape-level approach to post-wildfire restoration, land managers have been working to include native forbs in reseeding mixtures, many of which require the pollination services of bees. Fire ecologists recognize three phases of fire—acute, shock, and recovery—which can influence bees directly by exposing them to lethal temperatures, or indirectly by removing nesting and foraging resources. In this study, we investigate the response of bee communities to these stages using a 10-year chronosequence of large historic wildfires in sage-steppe habitat. Paired plots were established far into the burn (>100 meters) and outside the burn to test for differences in the following characteristics: bee density in patches of target flowering hosts; similarity of bee communities (with a focus on nesting and diet habits); and the diversity, and density, of forbs and shrubs. Our results suggest that all bee life stages can survive wildfire, but certain nesting strategies may be negatively influenced. Furthermore, in relatively mild burns of intact sage-steppe plant communities, entire bee communities exhibit excellent prospects for survival. However, where forbs do not
36 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY bloom in the year following fire (especially in previously depauperate communities or hotter fires), surviving bee communities will need supplemental forage that blooms reliably the year after seeding.
Pollinators and Agricultural Seed Production: Consideration of Pollinators in Management and Restoration Planning James Cane, Byron Love Diverse wildflower species are needed for seed mixes applied after fire to rehabilitate plant communities in the western sage-steppe. The Great Basin Native Plant Project is addressing this problem with a cadre of scientists, practitioners, and growers. Our component focuses on bees and pollination, both on-farm and after fires. The 15+ targeted forb species were found to benefit from, or require, bees for pollination. In several cases, these bees are predominately floral specialists (e.g. bees of Lomatium), but most use several floral genera for pollen. Most of the sage-steppe bee species have a single spring generation and nest solitarily underground. For seed farming, honeybees sometimes suffice for pollination. For several legumes (Astragalus, Hedysarum) and composites (Eriophyllum, Balsamorhiza), captive populations of three native cavity-nesting bees (genus Osmia) are portable and effective pollinators. These cavity-nesting species are being successfully multiplied, sometimes on-farm. Among the prevalent ground-nesting pollinators, our experiments show that all bee life stages survive soil heating to 45 C. Only those few bee species (est. 9%) that nest shallowly (<5cm) risk lethal heating of progeny from surface fire; some of these are Osmia species prevalent at legumes, however. Bee surveys in a chronosequence of large wildfires (1-20 year old) demonstrate that the year(s) after fire, many bee species persist to pollinate surviving perennial forbs. Surviving bee communities do require bloom in the year following fire if they are to be retained for their critical role in pollinating seeded perennial forbs on public rangelands. As bees need forb bloom and seeded native forbs need good snow years to establish, we plan to explore establishing islands of seeded forbs behind custom snow fences set out after fires to benefit bees and jumpstart restoration.
Assessment of Electronic Nose Smell Profiles as a Potential Tool for Big Sagebrush Subspecies Diagnostics Hector Ortiz, Bryce A. Richardson, Justin Runyon Big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, has evolved a diverse array of chemicals that appear to have prominent roles in herbivore and pathogen defense. Several studies have shown that different species of Artemisia or subspecies of Artemisia tridentata are composed of different concentration or different types of chemical compounds, suggesting these chemicals could be associated with speciation. Since subspecies of big sagebrush are adapted to different environments, successful restoration will require accurate identification of subspecies. Our research explores the development of an electronic nose (e-nose) as an application to differentiate between big sagebrush subspecies. The e-nose is a portable device that could be used in the field or seed warehouse and requires only minutes to process a sample. Different bouquets of volatile chemicals from sagebrush samples create variation electrical resistances in the e-nose. These data serve to compare samples. Preliminary data collected from common gardens indicate differences typically exist in smell profiles of mountain big sagebrush and basin big sagebrush. However, Wyoming big sagebrush is often undifferentiated from basin or mountain big sagebrush depending on the sample. The variability seen in the smell profiles could be caused by phenology or the hybrid nature of Wyoming big sagebrush. Additional analysis of smell profiles showed differences between ephemeral and persistent leaf types. Ongoing work includes: 1) collecting data from leaves, flowers and seeds and assessing their patterns, 2) assessing phenological variability in smell profile and 3) comparing these results with gas chromatography data. A discussion will follow, focused on the feasibility of the e-nose as diagnostic test to determine big sagebrush subspecies.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 37 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY
Transplanting Wyoming Big Sagebrush into Northern Nevada Grass Dominated Sites J. Kent McAdoo, Chad S. Boyd, Roger L. Sheley In the Great Basin, recent increases in frequency and size of wildfires and resulting annual grass expansion, especially within low to mid-elevation Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) plant communities, have increased the need for effective sagebrush restoration tools. Specific objectives of this research were to determine the influence of site, reduction of herbaceous competition, and plant source (nursery stock vs. indigenous wildlings) on establishment of sagebrush transplants. We used a randomized block (reps = 5) design at each of three sites: 1) cheatgrass-dominated, 2) native grass-dominated, and (3) crested wheatgrass-dominated, near Elko, NV. Treatments included plant stock (nursery stock or locally-harvested wildlings) and herbicide (glyphosate) to reduce competing vegetation. Sagebrush were planted in the spring of 2009 and 2010 and monitored for survival and volume. Data were analyzed for site and treatment effects using mixed model ANOVA. Surviving sagebrush density at one and two years post-planting was generally highest (up to 3-fold) on the native site. Density of surviving plants was almost 3-fold higher for nursery stock on most sites for the 2009 planting, but differences in survival by planting stock were minimal for the 2010 planting. Glyphosate application increased surviving sagebrush density up to 300% (depending on site) for both years of planting. Significantly greater volume of sagebrush plants in plots treated with glyphosate suggested substantially increased production of sagebrush transplants with reduced herbaceous competition. High labor and plant material investments (relative to traditional drilling or broadcasting) may limit the size of projects for which sagebrush transplants are practical, but these costs can be offset by high success relative to traditional methods. The results of our study indicate that sagebrush transplants (either wildling or nursery stock) can be effective for establishing sagebrush on shrub-depleted sites.
Stream Restoration Symposium 1 Session Chair: Russ Lawrence | StreamFix
Physics before Biology W. Barry Southerland The biology of rivers is graphic. Many of the biological assemblages are readily observable, some are not. The physics upon which riverine biological assemblages occur have dimension, pattern, profile, and load transport characteristics relative to the natural hydraulic geometry and slope. Many of these spatial characteristics, although measurable, are often not readily observable. A paramount feature to stream channel physics is the floodplain and its form of connection to the bankfull channel, also referred to as channel formative discharge. This relationship should be understood before any restoration activities move forward. This session addresses and defines many fluvial features of alluvial channels. The lingua franca, the language, and terminology of rivers are essential to understanding the physics of the system. The physics of a river defines the basis of the final biological forms upon the floodplain and river. The biology of the river becomes integrative and helps build and define the final manifestation of form eventually positively impacting the physics of the range of natural variability.
Stream Classification, Channel Evolution Model, and Channel Planform Classification Frank F. Reckendorf The first simple stream classification published in 1957 was braided, meandering, and straight. The variability of rivers make it difficult to establish parameters that reasonably place every river, creek, gully, arroyo, and delta in the same system. A system developed based on geometry of drainageways, that works best at the field level, is
38 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY that of Dave Rosgen. His hydraulic geometry parameters reflect both flow condition and the stream morphology parameters of plan view, slope, and cross section. Most natural systems have been altered and the Rosgen Stream Classification fits best to reflect variability. When Rosgen stream types are defined and put in sequence, a stream succession scenario is described that shows the connection of stream form and process. Schumm's system works well with the Rosgen Stream Classification System to show channel evolution that results from alterations like straightening. This system starts with a natural system called Stage I. After straightening, streams tend to downcut and widen. The primary downcut phase is called Stage II, and the widening is called Stage III. Eventually the stream widens to a point that a new flood plain is formed within the streambanks of the former Stage I. This is called Stage IV, and V is widened back to a stable condition, but with a flood plain developed at a lower level. When downcutting starts in Stage II a head-cut is formed that migrates upstream. The distance upstream from Stage V to the head-cut represents the passage of time. There is a third system that works well to describe the planform of the stream bed, which is that developed by Montgomery and Buffington. Streams in the uplands have a Cascade bedform. This transitions to a step-pool system. The Step-pool transitions to Plane- bed channel or to a Pool-riffle system. Downstream the transition is to a Dune-ripple system.
Collaborative Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Carleen Weebers | University of Washington
Integrating Conservation, Restoration and Education: A Land Trust-University Partnership in Western Montana Jenny Tollefson, Cara Nelson Five Valleys Land Trust and the University of Montana initiated a restoration-education partnership in 2013, which coalesced around the 300-acre Rock Creek Confluence Property near Missoula, MT. The property, purchased by Five Valleys in 2012, had been slated for a residential subdivision. Property acquisition was only the first step in conservation at the site; the property had been degraded by over 100 years of farming and ranching activities, as well as by activities related to the proposed subdivision. Five Valleys has begun working with students and faculty in The University of Montana’s Wildland Restoration Program to conduct baseline assessments of natural resources and degradation at the property, develop restoration plans, and implement restoration activities. Students and faculty have also initiated research projects at the site, developed a citizen science program, and are preparing a survey to gather feedback from the local community on future uses of the site. Five Valleys has also initiated a collaboration with the Heavy Equipment Operation Program at Missoula College. Students use the property as a field classroom, learning to operate heavy equipment in a restoration setting, while helping Five Valleys restore the property to its pre-development condition. Five Valleys benefits from the expertise and enthusiasm of University faculty and students, who, in turn, benefit from the hands-on learning opportunities that a restoration project provides. The challenges inherent in the project illustrate to students the complexity of ecological restoration. Building bridges between Five Valleys, academics, and community members will result in increased awareness of and public support for ecological restoration, and ultimately in better restoration outcomes. Furthermore, the university-land trust collaboration at the site can serve as a model for future collaborative efforts on private lands protected by conservation easements.
Cedar River Stewardship in Action: Community-focused Riparian Restoration at the Landscape Scale Judy Blanco The Cedar River is one of the most cherished and historically significant rivers in the Puget Sound region. It contains ancestral homeland, popular recreational resources, is the source of drinking water for millions in Seattle’s greater metropolitan area, and has some of the best remaining salmon habitat in the area. This presentation will describe a successful community-focused landscape scale program on the Cedar River that
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 39 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY uses innovative approaches toward riparian restoration and outreach goals. Forterra has been committed to improving the ecological health of the Cedar since 2005 in partnership with Seattle Public Utilities in support of their comprehensive 50-year Habitat Conservation Plan. In 2010, our partnership joined forces with the Friends of the Cedar River Watershed and the King County Noxious Weed Control Program to initiate the Cedar River Stewardship in Action Program (SiA), a community focused, landscape-scale approach to restoration on the lower Cedar River. The SiA offers fully coordinated invasive plant abatement (primarily knotweed control), native plant installations on public and private lands along the river, and targeted outreach and educational events. Two notable aspects of the program are the successful system-wide knotweed control project, and our collaborative approach to riparian restoration projects with private riverfront landowners previously not focused on conservation issues at stake on their lands. In return, the landowners become representative stewards, sharing their experience with the community and occasionally hosting tours of their property or speaking publically on behalf of the program. The long-term success of the SiA program to restore ecological integrity to the Cedar depends on diversity within partnership groups, and private landowners are essential members of this team. The SiA program aims to convey the message that everyone has a role to play in the rehabilitation and conservation of precious natural resources on the Cedar River.
Partnerships for Conservation: Capturing Expertise and Creating Synergies for Landscape Restoration Roy Iwai, Steve Kennett, Kate Holleran Urban watersheds are landscapes of habitats fragmented by development and managed by multiple jurisdictions. They are also complicated social and political landscapes. Because of these challenges a comprehensive approach to watershed health is required or individual restoration projects may have limited value. By developing a “round table” of landscape expertise, a holistic and realistic approach to restoration is possible. Beaver Creek Conservation Partnership, focused on Beaver Creek, a tributary to the Sandy River east of Portland Oregon, offers a successful example of a “round-table” partnership. From student research to volunteer projects, small restoration actions to large capital projects, and a suite of chemical, physical and biological monitoring, the Partnership leverages specific skills and expertise from volunteer members to develop and support new projects. The Partnership fills jurisdictional gaps, resource and funding gaps, and gaps in expertise, with an eye toward landscape restoration through site specific and community based action. The presenters will provide multiple examples of how informed multi-jurisdictional and community efforts can improve restoration across the landscape. The examples include improving basic scientific knowledge of the Beaver Creek watershed through collaborative data gathering, such as macro-invertebrate and continuous temperature monitoring, securing funds for restoration through cross-jurisdictional support for grant opportunities, and leveraging resources to amplify volunteer restoration work.
Facilitation of Restoration and Habitat Connectivity across Public and Private Lands through Effective Partnership and Multilevel Strategies in Portland, Oregon Mary Bushman, Jalene Littlejohn The West Willamette Restoration Partnership (WWRP) convened in 2006 to build and empower collective efforts to remove invasive species, restore wildlife habitat, and elevate local stewardship in the southwest hills of Portland, in a valuable area that is void of a watershed council or other advocacy group. WWRP partners collaborate under a collective mission to conserve and enhance forests and natural areas through an active coalition. The target area encompasses a substantial component, and essential linkage, of the Westside Wildlife Corridor, a forested spine of the west hills of urban Portland. The corridor has the potential to create a continuous wildlife migration corridor from Forest Park to the north connecting to Tryon Creek State Natural Area in the south. This area includes a number of large, intact natural areas with important forest canopy and habitat value weaved into the urban landscape and thus plagued by pressure of urbanization and invasive species like clematis and ivy. In the eight years since inception, the WWRP has set itself apart as an exceptional
40 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY example of a dynamic and successful partnership that bridges restoration and stewardship work across public and private boundaries, taking large strides to restore healthy watersheds in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. With an overarching vision, strategic plan and skilled partners, WWRP is positioned to implement watershed scale projects and leverage resources to enhance wildlife habitat. Project planning is collaborative and fostered by each organization’s goals as they support the larger WWRP vision. Each partner is responsible for key aspects of project planning, implementation and maintenance based on their unique expertise and connections. Multi-level strategies are implemented through landscape-scale invasive species treatments, community-led restoration efforts, and joint support of a paid coordinator to build capacity through partnership expansion, deeper community involvement, monitoring and reporting of restoration data.
Stewardship in the Siuslaw National Forest Session Chair: Chandra LeGue | Oregon Wild
The Birth and Growth of Stewardship Contracting in the Siuslaw National Forest Johnny Sundstrom As one of the primary instigators and supporters of the stewardship contracting authorities, and a founding member of the Siuslaw Stewardship Group, Johnny Sundstrom offers a unique long-term and big-picture view of the work that has been accomplished with Stewardship in the Siuslaw. As a witness to the economic and community impacts of huge harvests in the ‘70s and ‘80s followed by the rapid decrease in logging on the Siuslaw National Forest since the early ‘90s, Johnny’s interest in stewardship contracting has always been as a way to help bring more economic stability to rural communities, as well as to restore the watershed he calls home. He will offer his perspective on how the use of Stewardship Contracting in the Siuslaw has had a mixture of benefits for local communities.
The Forest Service as Partner and Decision Maker in Collaborative Stewardship Groups Frank Davis The leadership of the Siuslaw National Forest has been extraordinarily supportive of Stewardship Contracting and collaboration since its initiation as a pilot authority in 2000. Frank Davis will talk about how Stewardship Contracting works from the Forest Service’s perspective – including its pros and cons for forest management and restoration. He will also talk about the benefits, and pitfalls, the Forest has found in working with diverse partners in collaboration around stewardship and restoration.
Watershed Councils as Partners in Collaboration and Restoration Liz Vollmer-Buhl As a key partner both in the Siuslaw Stewardship Group and in implementing on-the-ground restoration projects, the Siuslaw Watershed Council has been involved in stewardship since its inception. Liz Vollmer-Buhl, the group’s Executive Director, will talk about the unique public-private partnership opportunities afforded by stewardship contracting and the Wyden authority. She will also highlight some of the successful projects implemented through these partnerships and what their impacts have been.
Multiparty Monitoring of Stewardship Contracting: A Forester's Perspective Marc Barnes One of the unique aspects of stewardship contracting on the Siuslaw National Forest is the dedication to multiparty monitoring that measures and records the economic and ecological information about stewardship contracts performed on both the National Forest and private lands. Mark Barnes, owner of the consulting
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 41 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY forestry business Integrated Resource Management, will speak about participating in collaborative stewardship efforts from a forester’s perspective, as well as present some of the results from his company’s 5 years of multiparty monitoring of stewardship contracting on the Siuslaw.
Sage STEP Symposium 2 Session Chair: James McIver | Oregon State University
Butterflies Follow Vegetation Response to Sagebrush Restoration Treatments James McIver As part of the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP), butterflies were surveyed pre- treatment and up to four years post-treatment at 16 widely distributed sagebrush steppe sites in the Interior West. Butterfly populations and communities were analyzed in response to treatments (prescribed fire, mechanical, herbicide) designed to restore sagebrush steppe lands encroached by pinyon-juniper woodlands (Pinus, Juniperus spp.) and invaded by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Butterflies exhibited distinct regional patterns of species composition, with communities showing marked variability among sites. Some variation was explained by the plant community, with the Mantel’s test indicating that ordinations of butterflies and plants were closely similar for both woodland sites and for lower elevation treeless (sage-cheat) sites. At woodland sites, responses to stand replacement prescribed fire, clearcutting, and tree mastication treatments applied to 10-20 ha plots were subtle: 1) no changes were observed in community structure; 2) Melissa blues (Plebejus melissa) and sulfurs (Colias spp.) increased in abundance after either burning or mechanical treatments, possibly due to increase in larval and nectar food resource respectively; and 3) the juniper hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus) declined at sites at which it was initially present, probably due to removal of its larval food source. At sage-cheat sites, after prescribed fire was applied to 25-75 ha plots, we observed: 1) an increase in species richness and abundance at most sites, possibly due to increased nectar resource for adults; and 2) an increase in the abundance of skippers (Hesperiidae) and small white butterflies. Linkages between woody species removal, the release of herbaceous vegetation, and butterfly response to treatments demonstrate the importance of monitoring an array of ecosystem components, in order to document the extent to which management practices cause unintended consequences.
Hydrologic Impacts of Woodland Encroachment and Tree Removal in Great Basin Sagebrush Steppe C. Jason Williams, Frederick B. Pierson, Osama Z. Al-Hamdan Extensive woodland expansion in the Great Basin has generated concern regarding the ecological impacts of tree encroachment on sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) rangelands. This study used rainfall and concentrated flow experiments and measures of vegetation, ground cover, and soils at three sites to investigate hydrologic and erosion impacts of woodland encroachment and tree-removal restoration treatments on sagebrush-steppe. Before tree removal, each site exhibited a degraded intercanopy with high rates of runoff and erosion. Areas underneath tree canopies (tree zones) generated low runoff and erosion rates, but occupied only 25% of the area at each site. Falling trees into the intercanopy did not affect vegetation, ground cover, runoff, or erosion over one growing season. However, placement of mulched tree debris into interspaces between shrubs and trees enhanced infiltration and reduced erosion following whole-tree mastication. Fire removal of litter and herbaceous cover increased tree-zone runoff and erosion at two sites, but had minimal impact at the other site. Site differences were attributed to burn severities and site-specific erodibilities. Burning increased erodibility within the intercanopy, but did not affect intercanopy cumulative runoff from the high-intensity rainfall
42 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY simulations. One year following fire, erosion from overland flow experiments was greater on burned than unburned tree zones, and erosion for burned tree zones was significantly greater for the sites with higher burn severity. Fire-induced increases in erosion persisted for tree zones at all sites two years post-fire. In contrast, enhanced herbaceous cover on burned intercanopy plots two years post-fire reduced fire impacts on intercanopy erodibility at each site. The net impact of burning included an initial increase in erosion risk, particularly for tree zones, followed by improved hydrologic function within the intercanopy two growing seasons post-fire. The overall results indicate that erosion from late-succession woodlands is reduced primarily through herbaceous and ground cover recruitment with the intercanopy.
Spatial/Temporal Factors Affecting Invasions into Wyoming Big Sagebrush Communities: Results from the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) Paul S. Doescher, Michael Reisner, David A. Pyke, James B. Grace Community resistance to invasion is mediated by multiple factors including spatial arrangements, stress gradients, and life history strategies. As part of SageSTEP, we have been evaluating responses to fuel reduction treatments, and invasion of cheatgrass into Wyoming big sagebrush communities. In “core” SageSTEP experiments, research is being conducted across 6 locations within the Great Basin. Evaluations of species response and treatments have shown mixed results in resistance however prescribed fires showed gaps among perennial plants > 2 m increasing at least 28% after 3 years. The importance of gaps as a driver of invasion to cheatgrass was further assessed across an additional75 plots in south central Oregon spanning a range of variation in herbivory, landscape orientation, and soil physical properties. Multivariate analysis revealed differences in community resistance evidenced by declines in natives, and increases in cheatgrass and other non-native species. Declines were driven by cumulative grazing intensities, increased heat loads, and increasing water stress. These interacting factors increased the size and connectivity of gaps, which drive invasibility of cheatgrass. As gradients of aridity and grazing intensity interact, bunchgrasses associate closer to sagebrush, promoting a destabilizing impact on the native community. Absent active restoration, fire is likely to trigger a catastrophic regime shift converting landscapes to annual grasslands, even if species composition suggests communities are in relatively functional condition.
The Use of Seed Zones to Ensure Adapted Plant Material for Restoration Projects Session Chair: Nancy Shaw | USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station
The Development and Use of Seed Zones to Ensure Adapted Plant Materials: Introduction Brad St. Clair A seed zone is an area in which plant materials collected from natural stands can be transferred with little risk of being poorly adapted to the new location. Seed zones and population movement guidelines have a long history in forestry to help ensure successful reforestation and productivity of forest stands. More recently seed zones have been developed for shrubs, grasses and forbs used in restoration and revegetation based on knowledge of geographic genetic variation in adaptive traits as determined from common garden studies. This presentation serves as an introduction to the methodology of studying adaptation and seed zone delineation based on genecology and reciprocal transplant studies. It will set the stage for the first half of the workshop in which empirical seed zones are discussed for several species used for restoration in the western United States followed by a presentation on generalized provisional seed zones for species with little genetic knowledge. Seed zones are now being adopted by land managers, yet issues remain as to how to use seed zones during collection, production, storage, and deployment of native plant materials. The second half of the workshop will discuss the opportunities and challenges of using seed zones based on the experiences of several organizations.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 43 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY
Genecology and Seed Zone Research for Native Forbs and Grasses of the Interior West R. C. Johnson, Matthew Horning, Erin Espeland, Vicky Erickson, Ken Vance-Borland, Mike Cashman Choosing the proper genetic resources is an essential first step for successful restoration. Although the use of native, locally adapted plant materials is desired, the development and implementation of seed zones-- geographic boundaries for appropriate germplasm movement--is lacking for most native species. Genecology studies were completed and seed zones developed for mountain brome (Bromus carinatus), tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum), Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides), and Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) in the inter-mountain west. For all these species, widespread genetic variation for phenology, leaf morphology, and production traits was observed in common gardens. For the desert species Indian ricegrass and Sandberg bluegrass, populations from hotter, dryer climates, had generally earlier blooming, narrower leaves with less area, and less dry weight than populations from cooler, more moist climates. Yet for the more mesic species mountain brome, distributed in areas with more abundant precipitation, blooming tended to be later and production higher in warmer climates. Using composite plant traits and climate data, highly significant regression models were developed that explained from one-third to two-thirds of the total variation. Using these models, seed zone maps were developed based on adaptive plants traits. The research suggests that climate variability has driven natural selection and adaption in restoration species in the inter-mountain west. As a result, we recommend continued development and use of seed zones to guide the choice of genetic resources used for restoration.
Characterization of Current and Future Climates within and among Seed Zones to Evaluate Options for Adapting to Climate Change Francis F. Kilkenny Maintaining healthy and productive ecosystems in the face of climate change will require new tools, practices, and investments in all areas of land management, including genetic resource management. Seed zones and seed transfer guidelines are used to ensure that planting stock used in reforestation and restoration is adapted and productive. Seed zones are delineated by mapping areas with similar environments and restricting movements between zones. Climates within current seed zones, however, are projected to change, particularly with respect to warming temperatures, and populations adapted to past and current climates are unlikely to be optimally adapted to future climates. Currently, there is lack of consensus on the question of how far to move populations in order to maintain adaptation (often referred to as assisted migration). This presentation will focus on efforts to provide baseline information on climatic variation within current seed zones and models to understand the relationship between future variation and plant adaptation. Examples will be drawn primarily from forest trees and native bunchgrasses with broader implications for seed movement in general. From these models we can determine the rate at which climatic variation will shift within seed zones, and allow us to develop specific recommendations on the time frames within which seed movement within current zones will remain viable.
Comparisons of Contemporary and Future Predictions of the Climate Niche and Ecological Genetics of Big Sagebrush and Blackbrush Bryce A. Richardson, Nancy L. Shaw, Matthew J. Germino, Shannon M. Still Climate change will create major shifts in plant distributions. Developing an understanding of how plants will respond to climate change at the scale of species and populations will be critical to conservation and restoration success. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima) are among the most dominant and widespread shrub species in the western United States. Climate responses at the species and population scale are explored in these two species through bioclimatic modeling and common garden studies, respectively. Blackbrush climate niche is predicted to expand about 40% by 2060, whereas Wyoming big
44 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY sagebrush climate niche is expected to contract by about 38%. However, the geographical relationships between the two species are predicted to remain similar over the next 50 years. Blackbrush climate niche follows the trailing edge of Wyoming big sagebrush climate niche, which is expected to contract in the western Great Basin and lower Snake River Plain. Whether blackbrush will occupy these climate niches will depend in part on assisted migration, since these areas in the Great Basin are disjunct from its current range. Populations of both species show variation in their adaptation to tolerate cold temperatures. Blackbrush and big sagebrush populations from more moderate climates experience lower survivorship in colder common gardens. The relationships between growth, survival and climate will be discussed in context with contemporary and future climates. Preliminary seeds zones for both species will be presented for contemporary climates and 2060 climates based on an ensemble of carbon emission scenarios.
Stream Restoration Symposium Session Chair: Russ Lawrence | StreamFix
Causes of Streambank Erosion Frank F. Reckendorf Streambank erosion is a natural phenomenon, but becomes accelerated because of changes at the watershed and reach scale. To evaluate streambanks background conditions are established using aerial photographs, LiDAR, maps, cultural features and bank pins. Rates are compared over time, and viewed in the context of flood events. These observations are combined with recognizing reach level changes in change in stage of channel evolution, scour patterns (including debris flows); side slope sumping; sediment deposits and size represented by d50; and changes in cultural features. Streambank instability is evaluated to determine if instability is caused by mass failure such as cantilever failure; rotational or planer failure; preferential flow failure; including local piping; high pore pressure; liquefaction and seepage forces (especially during the falling stage of floods); popout failure; or because bank height exceeds a some critical bank height for the material and moisture content. Investigations are needed to determine if failure mechanisms are accelerated or modified by a stratigraphy caused cantilever. In addition it should be established if accelerated erosion is because river geometry such as Rc/Wbkf is too low. Also flow condition (peak, duration, angle of attack of river parallel to perpendicular to streambank); helicoidal flow; pre-wetting; boundary shear stress; depth of bed scour along eroding bank; local sedimentation; root density and depth; waves; ice condition (freeze thaw and gouging); desiccation; animal burrows; and whether large woody debris or sediment deposition caused stream avulsion. The channel evolution model (CEM) can be used to identify downcutting and widening, and the progression of headcuts. Understanding historic channel changes of straightening; gravel mining; recreational bulldozing; and vegetation removal will help us understand streambanks. Historical evaluation should establish overgrazing or trampling by livestock; willow blights; or other vegetation removal; which have led to streambank erosion.
Flood-stage Processes, Hyporeic, and Dynamic Equilibrium in Planning Considerations W. Barry Southerland Flood stage processes are fundamental to the development of both the river and the valley. The channel formative flow has been quoted as, “the discharge that over time has greatest impact on stream size, pattern, and load movement.” By one definition flood stages are those flows that exceed the incipient point of bankfull discharge, aka channel formative flow. Bankfull discharge, or a channel formative flow surrogate is essential to planning and designing river restoration or rehabilitation with the goal of dynamic equilibrium. This module discusses the interactions of floodplain connectivity, role of bankfull discharge, and the development, or lack of, the hyporeic flows and why stable channel hydraulic geometry is critical to the development of both floodplains and hyporeic zones. How do structure: wood, rock, or other impact the flood-stage processes? In the Pacific
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 45 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY
Northwest the concept of- and desire of- wood structure is more often the driver to implementation instead of the planning and designing of the fluvial geomorphic system first. The river geomorphic processes and system should always be considered before structure is introduced when considering floodplain processes and function.
The Importance of Proper Plant Evaluation and Planting along Streambanks Mike Vukman When attempting to restore a stream’s dimension, pattern, and profile, including its associated physical processes, quickly establishing native riparian vegetation can be a critical component to any project’s long-term success. We, as a community of practitioners, need to continue to build upon the collective body of knowledge surrounding soil bioengineering that was handed to us by the Roman and Chinese civilizations. In an effort to continue to advance the field of soil bioengineering, we need to constantly challenge many of the assumed standards and limitations of these techniques. At the same time, we also need to be humble in a transparent manner, sharing the invaluable lessons gleaned from our collective mistakes. Even when a comprehensive restoration approach has been deployed, one which brings back the pattern, profile, and dimension in an effort to restore the form, function and dynamics of a stream in a balanced manner, soil bioengineering and its myriad of deployable techniques continues to offer us an opportunity to restore numerous ecological functions while preventing continued streambank erosion and a consequential loss of instream habitat. During this presentation, I will briefly share a few examples of soil bioengineering projects that have been designed and installed over the years, including successfully innovative ones that have pushed the known limits of established techniques as well as others that have not performed up to expectations, including the respective lessons that were learned.
Restoration Planning Contributed Session Session Chair: Michael Yadrick | Seattle Parks & Recreation
Nature’s Values in Clallam County: Policy Implications of the Economic Benefits of Feeder Bluffs and 12 Other Ecosystems Lola P. Flores, Zac Christin Clallam County has some of the most beautiful, diverse, and productive natural landscapes in the country. Of the 2,670 square miles in Clallam County, 931 square miles of shorelines feature salmon-spawning streams, dramatic sea stacks, beaches, and towering coastal cliffs called feeder bluffs. Coastline ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of increasing development and climate change, such as sea level rise and ocean acidification. Clallam County is currently faced with increased bluff erosion and a fragmented shoreline, threatening key ecosystems that support economic activity. In order to understand the real economic costs of damaged natural systems in decision and policy-making, it is increasingly common to consider ecosystems as economic assets. Two types of natural capital valuation were used to assess the economic value of Clallam’s natural systems. First, using biophysical data we calculated the economic value of nearshore processes, including sediment provided by feeder bluffs to beaches downstream. Second, a full natural capital appraisal valued all ecosystem services found across all Clallam County’s land cover types. Economic valuation can inform policy development and implementation, such as Shoreline Master Planning. The ecosystem service values provided in this study are defensible and applicable to decision-making at every jurisdictional level. Recent heavy storm surges such as those experienced along the eastern seaboard in September 2012, and the threat of climate change, have focused attention on the delicate state of the shoreline in Washington. Because bluff erosion is a natural and dominant feature along exposed shorelines, landowners are concerned not only about environmental degradation due to increased development but also about the safety and value of their homes along the coast. Many property owners have lost acres of land due to natural erosion and struggle with very
46 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY expensive installation and maintenance costs of the very bulkheads and seawalls that are increasing erosion of their neighbor’s bluffs.
Using Site Conservation Plans and Key Ecological Attributes to Gauge Restoration Success Lori Hennings To better manage roughly 14,000 acres of natural areas that Metro owns in the Portland region, we developed a Site Conservation Plan (SCP) planning process to foster more deliberate restoration planning and active communication between three work groups under different managers: scientists, field technicians, and public access planners. Each group may plan and implement projects on a site but despite best intentions, communication has not always been perfect. The SCP process borrows liberally from The Nature Conservancy’s 5-S Framework and includes identifying conservation targets, key ecological attributes (KEAs), and threats to those attributes. Conservation targets are the desired future habitat at the site – for example oak, prairie, wetland and upland forest – or in a few cases, sensitive species such as turtles. The scientist, planner and field technician walk the site together, examine maps and talk about issues and opportunities. The scientist authors the SCP, which guides future restoration, maintenance and budgets. The planner authors the SCP's access section, guided by natural resource information. All team members collaborate and review. We identified 16 conservation targets for which we developed KEAs and quantitative indicators. KEAs represent critical components of a target – those attributes that if degraded or missing, would jeopardize the target’s integrity. KEA indicators fall into three categories: size (e.g., patch size, riparian forest width); condition (e.g., species richness, dead wood, structural conditions); and landscape (off-site, such as up- and downstream riparian condition, surrounding land cover, connectivity). For each conservation target, a sub-set of KEA indicators is selected, with at least one in each category. Indicator rankings, from “poor” to “very good,” are based on typical healthy habitat rather than site potential. For each indicator the scientist assigns current ranking, desired 3-5 year ranking, and desired long-term ranking. KEAs are monitored over time to track progress, re-assess threats and adjust actions.
Proactive Projects: A Proposal for Real Revegetation of Western US Rangelands Stanford A. Young, G. Wayne Andersen Tens of millions of acres of public rangelands in the Western U. S. are seriously degraded, resulting in low biotic productivity along with increased vulnerability to wildfires, erosion, and endangered status for native plants and wildlife. Currently, the preponderance of government sponsored revegetation projects on these rangelands is simply an emergency response to cyclical wildfire events. This unpredictable cycle leads to a boom or bust marketplace for revegetation seed as supplied by private sector seed collectors and farmers, engendering higher overall prices and seed shortages of critical plant species best adapted to specific geographic fire damaged locations. The result is wasted response efforts, failures of satisfactory vegetation reestablishment, and thus further rangeland degradation. To break this untenable cycle of emergency fire mitigation and generic seeding efforts, a grass roots (non-public agency driven) resolution for proactive public rangelands revegetation has been initiated. Signatures of support for the following formal PROPOSAL are being solicited for presentation to those in the U. S. Congress with stature and influence in management of public wildlands: "That Federal funds at the rate of $100 per acre be earmarked to plan, prepare, and seed at least 1,000,000 acres of proactive revegetation projects per year on public rangelands in the Western US." An exemplary template for such proactive planting is the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative, with over one million acres of public and private rangelands treated over the last ten years with funding from state, private, and federal sources. Increased numbers of planned projects reduce wildfire frequency and severity through mitigation of weedy fuels. Planned projects eschew generalized seed mixes as the routine emergency response to unpredictable wildfire events. Planned projects assure the availability and affordability of the best possible plant materials needed to generate balanced, diverse, and productive ecosystems, thus supporting optimal ecosystem services.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 47 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY
Forest Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Tom DeMeo | USDA Forest Service
Collaborative Dry Forest Restoration at Large Landscape Scales on National Forests in the Blue Mountains, Oregon Ayn J. Shlisky The century-long accepted practices of fire suppression and selective timber harvest have left more than 2.6 million acres of national forest lands in eastern Oregon and Washington out of sync with natural cycles of fire, insects and disease and other natural disturbances. A recent regional assessment of active forest restoration needs in the Pacific Northwest revealed that it would take over 50 years at current rates of restoration to achieve an acceptable, more resilient range of variability in forest structure and composition. In addition, the economic livelihood of several communities is threatened by the potential closure of sawmills and related restoration industries. The Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon are home to five collaborative groups actively engaged in landscape-scale projects, and there is broad public support for active forest restoration. As part of this collaborative effort, the Forest Service has embarked on a multi-faceted strategy to accelerate the pace and scale of restoration, prioritizing large scale restoration across the Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains Restoration Team (BMRT) is stepping-down to the landscape level the regional assessment, which was based on comparing current and reference forest conditions to determine opportunities for active versus passive restoration toward more resilient forest conditions. The BMRT is collaboratively identifying priority treatment areas, analyzing alternative restoration approaches, and drafting decision documents for the implementation of on-the-ground projects in dry forest. The BMRT is testing innovations and efficiencies in collaborative restoration planning, such as the use of a high-level, dedicated planning team, completing implementable decisions that cover hundreds of thousands of acres, developing guidance to facilitate the use of planned and unplanned fire at large scales and characteristic severities, narrowing the focus of environmental analyses, utilizing new technologies such as LiDAR for large scale biophysical assessments, and effectively cultivating science-management partnerships that operationalize the use of the best available science.
Defining Desired Conditions for Restoration of Dry Forest Landscapes: Lessons from the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program Lauren Urgenson, Charles Halpern, Ernesto Alvarado, Jonathan D. Bakker, Jerry Franklin, Clare Ryan Restoration of frequent- and mixed-fire regime forest landscapes is a pressing natural resource issue throughout the western U.S. However, restoration of these landscapes is challenging due to the complex regulatory environment and differing objectives and values of stakeholders. The result has been a system hindered by gridlock, litigation, and controversy, particularly on federal forestlands. In 2009, the USFS established the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) as a potential solution to gridlock by facilitating stakeholder participation in the design of landscape-scale restoration. A central role of the collaboratives is to create a shared vision for “desired conditions” as a foundation for developing restoration approaches and monitoring strategies. Desired conditions include the set of ecological, social, and economic characteristics of forest landscapes achieved through restoration and the stand and landscape structures likely to support these characteristics. Defining and operationalizing desired conditions is invariably complex and may call for competing management objectives, resulting in uncertainty in decision making. For example, reference conditions in the form of historical site conditions often serve as a basis for desired conditions. However, there are challenges to establishing reference conditions including: technical capacity to characterize reference forest structure, composition, and process; uncertainty in the use of historic conditions as a reference for current and future conditions; and differing stakeholder perspectives on what constitutes reliable information and values.
48 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY
Forest collaboratives have grappled with these challenges independently with varying success. We use a comparative case-study analysis of six forest collaboratives in the northwestern and southwestern U.S. to better understand how they face the challenges and find solutions to developing desired conditions and using reference conditions in landscape-scale restoration. There is a clear and urgent need to identify key challenges, to share lessons learned among collaborative groups, and to provide this information to land managers, scientists and decision makers.
Bioenergy Implications for Dry Forest Restoration in Eastern Oregon: Trade-offs between Thermal and Cogeneration Developments Meagan Nuss, John Bliss In eastern Oregon, utilizing woody biomass for energy is closely linked to restoration objectives for dry mixed conifer forests at risk of uncharacteristic high-severity fire. Bioenergy is frequently identified as potentially able to facilitate fuel reduction treatments while creating renewable energy and stimulating rural economic development. However, the relationship between existing biomass-to-energy installations and restoration activities in the region is poorly understood. We explore what factors and conditions have enabled the adoption of thermal and cogeneration bioenergy systems in eastern Oregon to shed light on this relationship, using a case study approach that draws from three counties leading bioenergy developments in the region. Through data triangulation we identify five primary factors of adoption, from which we infer bioenergy implications for dry forest restoration. Our study suggests that factors of available supply, social acceptance, financing, the existing forest sector, and scale interact to influence project outcomes related to forest restoration, leading to tradeoffs between the two types of bioenergy. Thermal bioenergy systems appear to be more financially and socially feasible, may generate economic impacts through keeping money local, and are limited in their impact on landscape restoration because of attributes related to scale. In contrast, cogeneration appears limited in its financial and possibly social feasibility, may generate economic impacts through job creation and retention, and is better able to act as a mechanism for landscape restoration.
Three River Restoration Initiative: From Three-squared to One Anne Dahl, Chip Weber The Three Rivers Restoration Initiative (ThRRI) is a large-scale project to be planned over the entire 1.5 million acre Southwest Crown Collaborative landscape. The project adopts a holistic, landscape approach to restoration and will be of sufficient spatial scale to significantly address biodiversity in light of climate change and the scale of forest disturbance factors. The project purpose is (1) conserving terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity over this landscape, taking into consideration potential effects of climate change, and (2) completing fuel reductions within WUIs throughout the Southwestern Crown, all with one analysis. The Southwestern Crown landscape encompasses portions of the landscape of interest of three pre-existing local collaboratives and one state-wide Collaborative group. The Southwestern Crown Collaborative (SWCC) coordination with these groups is eased because SWCC participants are also participants in these other collaboratives. The Southwestern Crown Landscape encompasses three different National Forests as well, and three different Ranger Districts. The lead Forest Supervisor and Co-Chair of the SWCC (tentatively) will present the successes and challenges of the numerous restoration projects completed within the Southwestern Crown landscape to date, the evolution of this management over the last 5 years with the collaborative groups and the vision and reasons for this large, three Forest, Three River Restoration Initiative.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 49 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY
Sage STEP Symposium 3 Session Chair: James McIver | Oregon State University
Ecological Scale of Bird Community Response to Pinyon-Juniper Removal Steven Knick, Steven Hanser We explored the concept that prescribed fire or mechanical treatments can return regions currently undergoing pinyon (Pinus spp.) - juniper (Juniperus spp.) expansion to a functioning sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) vegetation and obligate bird system. Our preliminary results were based on a statistical ordination of pre- and post- disturbance surveys of bird communities at 14 locations in sagebrush-woodland ecotones across California, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon. We attempted to pair large (>400 ha) control and treatment plots at seven locations although direct comparisons were confounded because bird communities differed between paired landscapes. Management treatments, particularly prescribed fire, had variable intensity across space and time. Although the vegetation structure changed following disturbance, yearly trajectories of bird communities over 5 years of post-disturbance surveys at individual treatment locations were erratic and inconsistent both regionally and in direction of change. However, trajectories combined across all locations generally shifted slightly towards the ordination space defined by the grassland bird community. Nonetheless, prescribed fire as applied in our study locations was insufficient to push the community across the ecological scale separating woodland and sagebrush systems. Sagebrush birds were established only at two sites that were adjacent to existing sagebrush landscapes and where trees were completely removed by mechanical treatment. Although preliminary, our results emphasize a need to better characterize the ecological scale of disturbance if we are to identify global patterns of bird community response from broadly-distributed landscapes.
Summary of Short-term Results of the Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) James McIver The Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) is a comprehensive, integrated, long-term study that evaluates the ecological effects of alternative treatments designed to reduce fuel and to restore sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) communities of the Great Basin and surrounding areas. This talk summarizes the short-term results of the study. Woody vegetation reduction initiated a cascade of effects, beginning with increases in the availability of nitrogen and soil water, followed by increased growth of herbaceous vegetation. The response of butterflies and magnitudes of runoff and erosion closely followed herbaceous vegetation recovery, demonstrating the short-term importance of grasses and forbs in this ecosystem. Shrub, tree cover, crust, surface woody fuel loads, and sagebrush-obligate bird communities will take longer to fully express, demonstrating the importance of long-term monitoring. Cool wet sites were more resilient after treatment than warm dry sites, and resistance was mostly dependent on pre-treatment cover of cheatgrass. We predict that additional time will alter outcomes, and that at least 10 years post-treatment time will be necessary to judge restoration success on the majority of SageSTEP sites. Mechanical treatments did not serve as surrogates for prescribed fire, and distinct differences in how alternative treatments function present opportunities for managers to select different tools for particular purposes, especially given the fact that the public will generally accept the types of treatments studied by SageSTEP. Substantial spatial and temporal heterogeneity emphasizes the point that there will rarely be a ‘recipe’ for choosing management actions on any specific area, no matter how much information is available. Manager use of a consistent evaluation process, linked to monitoring, may be the best chance they have for arresting the tide of encroachment and invasion that may be accelerated in a future warming climate.
50 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY
The Use of Seed Zones to Ensure Adapted Plant Material for Restoration Projects Session Chair: Nancy Shaw | USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station
Use of Seed Zones in the Procurement and Deployment of Native Plant Material in the U.S. Forest Service Vicky Erickson The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) native plant policy requires that 'genetically appropriate' native plant material be used in the revegetation of national forest system lands. The overarching goal of the policy is to ensure that plants are adapted to target site conditions and have sufficient diversity for responding and adapting to changing climates and environmental stressors. Guidelines for implementing the policy borrow heavily from the agency's 100 year history with conifer species, where the seed zone model is prominent and considered foundational to contemporary reforestation programs. As new genecological studies are completed for key native grass and forb species, the resulting seed zones are being adopted by the Forest Service as the principal framework for selecting plant material and guiding seed movement. Climate-based provisional seed zones are recommended when empirical genetic information is lacking. This presentation provides an overview of how the seed zone model is being utilized in the collection, production, and deployment of native plant material on USFS lands, with particular emphasis on the Pacific Northwest Region in Oregon and Washington. Also presented are examples of how seed zone delineations provide a useful tool for working with private sector seed collectors and producers, in addition to ensuring adapted plant material for restoration.
How Can I Purchase Native Plant Seed by the End of the Week? Finding Appropriate Native Seed for Restoration Projects and Steps to Bulk Seed Douglas Kendig Restoration practitioners are stretched. Workload is increasing relative to the number of employees assigned to projects in both the public and private sectors. Additional requirements and tasks associated with planning, designing, and implementing projects seam to increase constantly. Many times windfall government funds appear “out of the blue” late in the year with short deadlines that are targeted for high priority projects such as sage grouse, wildfires, or other restoration improvement projects. How can these “opportunities” be effectively managed to procure native plant seed, used as building blocks for a larger native plant program, and achieve the best value for current and future restoration projects? What are the steps to increase seed and what procurement tools are available to speed and simplify the process? What native plant seed is available and where is the seed located? What does it cost? How much seed do the growers need? What contracts are available? When do they need the seed? Is this a high or low risk species to grow? Answers to these questions are needed before making informed decisions that improve seed increase success rates. This topic will identify key steps, the tools and methods to assist in increasing small amounts of seed into large quantities for restoration projects for both private and public sector workers. Important elements will include: 1) Pre-planning and plant species selection; 2) timelines and sequence of events; 3) location of appropriate native seed, sources, and seed quality; 4) existing seed increase contracts and which growers are available for increase; 5) other available procurement tools; 6) communication with the grower and placing orders. Attempts will be made to provide readily available resources, information, and contacts that will stream-line and simplify practitioners’ efforts to increase native seed for restoration projects.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 51 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY
Production and Marketing Challenges of Native Bio-types of Grasses and Forb Seed Jerry Benson Adaptations of species to the particular geographies they occupy creates both opportunities and challenges for using them in restoration work. One set of cultural methods that may optimize production from a given species/bio-type, are not necessarily straight-line transferable to another. Moreover the very characteristics, i.e. maturation staging or seed retention, that have made them desirable and successful in their locations, can act to restrict scalable yields in an agronomic setting. These aspects of the seed production challenge are magnified in approaching the marketplace. Lacking or inconsistent protocols on seed testing creates confusing information to take to a market that maybe unfamiliar with the cost of production or value of a given species/biotype. Pricing expectations formed from commodity-like cultivars, event driven demand, few producers, unrealistic restoration site timelines, and failure in site preparation, set a stage for dissatisfied customers. The best remedy for overcoming this is shared information, and adequate planning and contracting between producers and end- users.
Use of Seed Zones in the Procurement and Deployment of Native Plant Material for Restoration Projects in Western Oregon Rob Fiegener The Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) is dedicated to the ecological restoration of Pacific Northwest habitats by conducting on-the-ground restoration, developing ecologically appropriate seed mixes, cultivating partnerships that promote regional conservation, and advancing restoration science techniques. IAE advocates using native plant materials from appropriate genetic sources to conserve biological diversity, and to maintain the adaptive capability of ecosystems, communities and plant populations. Strong partnerships are critical to our success. IAE works with partners throughout the process of seed collection; foundation seed lot composition; production; harvesting; and distribution. We work with partners to aggregate demand for a particular germplasm and work with plant materials providers to develop a production strategy to satisfy both ecological and economic needs. IAE conducts research to define seed zones and develop guidelines for evaluating germplasm. Our concept of “appropriate genetic sources” is not simply a reflection of geographic distance, but incorporates thinking about genetic distance. This includes efforts to maximize genetic diversity of our seed collections and minimize loss of diversity associated with cultivation of plant materials. We have a preference for seed produced under contract rather than purchased on the open market, as this provides assurances of genetic provenance and cultural practices to the consumer, and reduces market risk to the producer. Seed lots for production are carefully crafted to represent the desired genetics. Transplanting plugs for seed production is preferred over drill or broadcast seeding as it confers greater control over genetics. IAE tracks and limits the number of generations allowed in seed production fields to minimize inadvertent selection. Through careful consideration of genecological principles and restoration practices, IAE has successfully utilized seed zones to support restoration of both common and rare species on private and public lands throughout the Willamette Valley.
Stream Restoration Symposium Session Chair: Barry Southerland | USDA-NRCS History and Use of Wood in Stream Restoration Frank F. Reckendorf Early use of woody material in stream restoration is documented in patents issued for spur dikes of trees (1878); tree jetties (1883); pile A frame jetties (1885); boom of trees (1902); cribs filled with brush (1915); mesh cribs (1923); and pile fence and trees (1936). The Civilian Conservation Core (CCC) developed many parks along
52 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY riparian areas in 1930's and used large and small wood The use of large wood placement has varied from both logs and full trees, placed with or without underlying spacers made of logs, rootwads, or rocks. Rocks are often used as buttress, and in recent years piles are cable or bolted to other logs or rootwads. Some installations have toe trenches with wood that is attached by re-bar to poles and often cabled back to trees or deadmen. Rootwads and logs have been cabled to boulders using epoxy, and rootwads and logs have been chained to other logs and rootwads have been chained downward to eco-blocks. Streambank work with rootwads and logs in 1970's and into 1980"s was mostly boulder buttressed or epoxied, and many installations were cabled back to deadmen. Dave Rosgen introduced the log vane in 1973, which changed the hydraulics along by re-directing the thalweg flow away from the streambank. The procedure has had the effect to displace the thalweg toward the tip of the log or rootwad, with backwater created near the streambank favoring sedimentation. Engineering Log Jams (ELJ's) were first introduced by Tim Abbe in the northwest in early 1990's. These were first installed without piles that are now commonly used in most installations. Some ELJ's are built mostly with large bolts from piles to logs or rootwads, and many recent ELJ’s in western Washington are built with piles cabled to rootwads and logs. In recent years Rosgen has increased the use of small wood in streambank protection.
Large Wood in Stream Restoration Planning Shaun P. McKinney Large woody material is a natural component of both in-stream aquatic ecosystems as well as the surrounding riparian areas. Often in agricultural settings, streams have been significantly altered from their original functioning states. These lands often experience disturbances annually and are actively managed to maximize crop land productivity or rangeland production. Thus in many areas streams that have been highly altered and do not express full ecological functionality have been in this condition for generations. This presentation strives to outline the importance of large wood ecologically and the need to address it in conservation planning. A data driven approach is needed to both assess current conditions as well as serve as analog templates for conservation planning. Finally a species specific approach to large woody material planning and conservation planning is discussed.
Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists and Ecologists Session Chair: Katie Chipko | Deschutes Children's Forest
It Takes a Village: Utilizing Partnerships and Agreements to Grow Capacity and Strengthen Programs Sean Ferrell As budgets decline and economies struggle, there is little room to go forward alone. In Central Oregon, the Deschutes National Forest has forged unique collaborative efforts to increase our capacity to attain our mission and improve our relationship in the community. Two examples include the development of a friend's organization and the Deschutes Children's Forest. The friend's organization, Discover Your Forest (DYF), had an unusual genesis that is a model replicable Anywhere USA. Through DYF the Forest has created an intern program, expanded our capacity for volunteer stewardship projects, and provided assistance to our community partners. Deschutes Children's Forest has grown from a dinner topic idea to a community effort to get every child in Central Oregon outside to be our future stewards of public lands. Stop for a moment and think what it takes to reach every child, and the complexities associated with that. Through unique partnerships, we are well on our way. It truly takes a village to take your organization's mission, frame your passion, and yield the results you dream about. Our goal is to present a pathway to get there.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 53 ABSTRACTS - TUESDAY
Leveling the Playing Field: How Collaboration and a Community Approach Can Work Towards Our Goal of Providing Environmental Education and Stewardship Opportunities to All Students Katie E. Chipko Deschutes Children’s Forest is an exciting new initiative that has recently launched in Central Oregon. Rather than being confined to (or defined by) a particular stand of trees, Deschutes Children’s Forest is actually a much broader concept with an ambitious mission to “provide a network of outdoor places and programs dedicated to moving all children along a continuum of learning, exploration, and healthy living through engagement with nature.” In a unique twist, the health care industry has joined together with educators, natural resource and recreation professionals, and conservationists to develop Deschutes Children’s Forest for the benefit of healthy minds, healthy bodies, and healthy forests. Our primary goal is to address “Nature Deficit Disorder” and move children, in age appropriate activities, from curiosity to awareness, understanding and engagement. This can be thought of as moving them from the couch playing video games to their nearby park to hiking in the woods to joining a YCC crew to a possible career related to natural resources or conservation education. The Deschutes Children's Forest began in May of 2011 when Deschutes National Forest, partnering with Discover Your Northwest, was awarded a national grant to become one of twelve Forest Service sponsored demonstration Children's Forests in the country. Since 2011, our powerful and diverse coalition has grown to include 17 community partners and has proven to be effective in connecting more youth to the outdoors. By working together, we identify gaps, reduce duplication of service, expand the reach of environmental education programs, develop resources that address barriers to teachers and parents, provide marketing, and serve as a critical link between time spent in nature and health. In this session, we will share how collaborative efforts can help level the playing field to ensure that these opportunities are available to all students, including underserved communities and students with disabilities.
Connecting Education to Restoration: Cultivating a Generation of Stewardship Kolleen Yake Today's youth are increasingly disconnected from the natural world. Due to a variety of social, cultural, and technological factors, children spend less time outside than in previous generations. Spending less time exploring, learning about, and connecting to the natural world can translate into a decreased understanding about how to care for our environment. If allowed to continue, this disconnection will lead to a generation that does not possess the knowledge, skills, or interest necessary to care for a healthy, sustainable environment. Children develop an affinity for nature when they spend time outside and physically and emotionally connect with a specific place in the natural world. By spending time outside and actively participating in hands-on restoration, youth develop a sense of place and an empowered sense of stewardship. Interdisciplinary, place- based education programs that create opportunities for students to connect with the natural world through multiple hands-on experiences can help to reverse the disconnect between children and their environment. The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council coordinates opportunities for thousands of students to participate in place- based education and hands-on restoration each year. By integrating interdisciplinary activities in writing, science, art, music, research, and nature exploration with on-the-ground restoration projects, the Watershed Council has adopted a long range approach to watershed protection and stewardship and is proactively empowering and inspiring the next generation of stewards.
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Including Long-term Student Stewardship Projects as Part of Restoration: Impactful Stories from Ryan Ranch Meadow and Tumalo Creek Eric Beck Connecting students to real places, science methods, and experts in the field brings purpose and motivation to learning. Field work brings authenticity to what students learn in the classroom and also reaches a wider variety of students by integrating science, art, writing, physical activity, teamwork, and problem solving. Currently, science teachers are transitioning to utilizing the recently-adopted Next Generation Science Standards to guide their instruction. In this presentation, a middle school science teacher will share how he has incorporated restoration projects, stewardship, and monitoring into his science curriculum, sharing examples of how partnerships with watershed councils, public land management agencies, local irrigation districts, and other organizations have been critical to his success. Additionally, several students will share experiences, data, and insights into their participation in these long-term restoration and monitoring projects. Our hope is that public land management agencies and organizations doing restoration work will be inspired to make connections with schools and share their expertise. In addition to these experiences being extremely beneficial to the students, we believe that the organizations involved also benefit. Students gain knowledge about the natural world, learn to understand and trust science, are exposed to careers in restoration and natural resources, feel connected to their local watersheds, and become empowered to be stewards of these watersheds through the skills learned through participating in hands-on restoration projects and monitoring. University-Community Partnerships Facilitate Local Restoration Efforts and Provide Realistic Experiences for Future Careers Carleen Weebers, Warren Gold, Kern Ewing, Jim Fridley Increasing the success of ecological restoration demands education of future restoration professionals that embraces evidence-based approaches in multidisciplinary, real-world experiences. For 15 years the University of Washington Restoration Ecology Network (UW-REN) has provided students such experiences while working with community partners in the Puget Sound region to meet ecological restoration needs. 536 students from three UW campuses and 31 different academic majors have participated in the 8-month restoration capstone. Multidisciplinary student teams from a variety of academic backgrounds undertake restoration projects from site evaluation through project design and implementation, to establishing monitoring and maintenance protocols. Academic knowledge of ecology, horticulture, engineering, education, and other fields are blended with specific approaches and experiences in project management, collaboration and negotiation to help students understand the breadth of approaches and expertise necessary for succeeding with complex restoration projects. It has proved a valuable experience for many students, as reflected by one recent comment: “… collectively as a team we have devoted so many hours to this capstone project, so much research, meetings, writings, logistics, planning, and plenty of good old fashion labor. I’ve been working 60-70 hours a week all year and only sleep every other day, with all that being said I can honestly say that this project was not a burden. It has been the highlight of my college education, I have learned so much and come so far, and if given the choice I would opt in again without hesitation.” Community partners have also previous projects. This presentation will discuss the collaborative successes and lessons learned from this university – community partnership model for meeting the needs of both education and ecological restoration.
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The Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project: Building Community Support for Restoration Session Chair: Phil Chang | Central Oregon Field Rep. at US Senator Jeff Merkley
Collaborative Forest Restoration in Central Oregon: A Model for Success Phil Chang, Pete Caligiuri In Central Oregon we derive great value and sense of place from our forests and the benefits they provide for nature and people: diverse wildlife, recreational playgrounds, forest products, clean water, and clean air, just to name a few. Much of our prized forestlands however, are highly altered after a century of overharvesting and fire suppression. Fortunately, a series of increasingly large and complex collaborative successes are integrating myriad ecological, social, and economic conditions and goals in efforts to restore Central Oregon’s fire-adapted forests. Our collaborative efforts have evolved from grassroots, site-specific projects to those that build a common understanding and shared vision for landscape-scale forest restoration with broad community support. Collaborative approaches to natural resource planning have broken down the gridlock of the late 20th century and we are able to tackle some of the most challenging restoration issues in Western forest management, including rapidly expanding outdoor recreation and wildland urban interface areas. In this symposium you will hear about the ecological, economic, and community values of our Central Oregon forests first-hand from representatives of environmental groups, forest products industry, recreation interests, the Forest Service and local government with a proven record of working collaboratively to solve complex natural resource challenges. They will share their experiences and lessons learned in shaping productive community outcomes and cultivating successive generations of collaborative stakeholders.
Session Chair: Ricardo Mata-Gonzalez | Oregon State University
AQUATIC AND WETLAND SYSTEMS
Poster 1. Restoring Vernal Pool and Grassland Habitat in Oregon's Agate Desert Sean M. Prive, Lauren A. Smith, Corinne Morozumi, Megan Zarzyki, Abdullah Husain The proposed plan would restore vernal pool and grassland habitat within the Agate Desert in Jackson County, Oregon. The Agate Desert is a 55 square kilometer grassland characterized by the only known Mediterranean vernal pools in the state of Oregon, which form in gravelly depressions between roughly one meter tall soil mounds. Locally, as much as 85% of the vernal pool habitat present prior to European settlement has been lost, and remaining pools (as well as associated upland grasslands) are highly threatened by anthropogenic disturbance regimes, development, and exotic species invasion. Vernal pools are unique wetland systems that support high levels of floral and faunal diversity, and are relatively rare on the regional landscape. The proposed restoration site - the Whetstone Industrial Park (WIP) - is 41 hectares, and is adjacent to The Nature Conservancy's Agate Desert Preserve near White City, Oregon. The WIP has been highly degraded by road construction, decades of cattle grazing, and the introduction of exotic plant species. We propose a relatively simple and inexpensive restoration plan that will enhance current vernal pool functionality and increase native
56 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - POSTERS plant diversity, on which several endangered invertebrate and wildflower species depend. Proposed treatments include passive restoration in the form of grazing exclusion, prescribed burning (aligned with exotic grass phenology to maximize long-term efficacy), planting of bunchgrass plugs, and subsequent seeding of native forbs. Successful restoration at this site will improve connectivity of the local vernal pool landscape, introduce a historical fire regime, and provide additional vernal pool habitat. In addition, this proposal includes several community awareness and educational aspects. For example, we have planned for extensive volunteer participation, and the creation of a small boardwalk on the site to inform visitors of the importance of vernal pool restoration/conservation.
Poster 2. Elwha River Revegetation 2013: A Plant Performance Study Crescent Calimpong Research on vegetation response post dam removal is an emerging science. Dam removal is becoming increasingly common as dams begin to become structurally unsound and reach their life capacity. This study is part of a larger plant monitoring project examining revegetation efforts following the removal of two large dams on the Elwha River in Olympic National Park. It is intended to provide project managers with data on species- specific performance in a unique environment. The data will be used to improve future restoration techniques in the newly exposed substrates. Revegetation of native woody vegetation is a key component to ecosystem restoration in the Elwha River watershed. This project will investigate plant performance of five woody species planted in the former Lake Mills reservoir. In 2013, seedlings from five woody-species were tagged and monitored over three sites between June-September 2013. Although overall plant survivorship was found to be high, survivorship was lowest in substrates made up of sand, gravel and cobble and was higher on substrates made up of silt and clay. Survivorship was affected by site and sediment moisture content. In general it was found that low gravel content at the sites related to high survivorship. Site prescription also had an effect on survivorship. Only Salix scouleriana was below 90% and the four other species all had survivorship rates over 90% across the three sites in the first year. Pinus monticola had the highest average survivorship at 98%. High overall survivorship of the plants tagged in the study show potential for the use of all five woody species in future restoration plantings in the Elwha River Watershed.
Poster 3. Vegetation Colonization Following Dam Removal on the Elwha River, Washington Jarrett L. Schuster Riparian ecosystems are important for ecological functioning of rivers, and are significantly impacted by dams. With over 50% of large dams in the U.S. beyond their life expectancy, dam removal is increasingly being considered to eliminate aging infrastructure and restore ecosystems. However, because few studies have considered riparian ecosystems post-dam removal, little is known about vegetation recovery rates. My research aims to assess initial vegetation recovery rates following removal of two dams on the Elwha River, Washington. Specifically, I tested the effects of sediment texture and nutrient composition on plant species richness and abundance. In 2013, I sampled 67 100 plots along 10 transects within Mills and Aldwell Reservoirs, and recorded vascular plant species composition and woody species height; I also conducted a Wolman Pebble Count in each plot. Aldwell Reservoir had finer textured soils, higher species abundance, and greater woody species height than Mills Reservoir. These results highlight the effect of varying environmental conditions on vegetation recovery rates following dam removal. Poster 4. Using Accelerated Succession in Riparian Restoration Dave Miller I plan to experiment with accelerated succession for riparian shrub habitat restoration at the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Washington state. Currently much of the refuge is dominated by invasive reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea). Previous attempts to mow, spray, mow, spray, etc. before planting have not
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 57 ABSTRACTS - POSTERS been successful in slowing down the canarygrass, resulting in high mortality rates of the restoration plants due to water competition and shading from the canarygrass. I propose a different approach, which starts with a sacrificial canopy layer, and does not involve spraying or mowing: (1) Plant fast-growing native trees in 5-gallon pots, e.g. red alder (Alnus rubra), black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa), douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), (2) When these trees are at least 4 feet tall, plant them at the site in the canarygrass, spaced so their canopies will touch in about 4 years, (3) As the canopy cover becomes dense, the canarygrass should be weakened from being shaded and from the leaf litter, (4) About 5 (or more) years after planting, selectively kill the sacrificial trees by girdling them, and remove any branches below 6 feet high to provide access under the tree. I propose killing every other tree. Girdling leaves a snag which is valuable to wildlife, (5) Plant the target species under the killed sacrificial trees, (6) When the target species have begun to be established, kill the remaining sacrificial trees, and (7) Plant the target species under the remaining killed sacrificial trees. This approach could work in other situations where fast-growing sacrificial trees or shrubs will grow. In a related experiment, I will use stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) as the sacrificial plant. I have noticed that stinging nettle is able to out-compete canarygrass at some sites on the refuge.
Poster 5. The influence of Population Dynamics, Grazing and Precipitation Patterns on the Restoration of a Threatened Riparian Mustard to Former Habitat Leslie Gecy, John Stephenson Howell’s Spectacular Thelypody (Thelypodium howellii ssp. spectabilis) is a threatened riparian species endemic to eastern Oregon. Its habitat has been characterized as seasonally moist, alkaline meadows adjacent to spring- flooding streams and only currently occurs within a 15-mile radius of Haines, Oregon. The land use is primarily private land grazing. In 2008, we initiated a 4-year monitoring study in conjunction with private landowners, Baker County, USFWS and ODA on a Powder River population that also included an experimental grazing component. Prior to this study, restoration measures had included transplants and seeding on publically owned land/easements, but not private land management changes. At the same time we also qualitatively monitored a separate population subject to alternate year grazing. The study officially ended in 2011. The fencing was never removed allowing additional monitoring in 2014. The results indicated that (1) the spectacular thelypody population could naturally expand by more than 50 feet/year in areas grazed after the spring-flowering species had set seed, as long as there were suitable microsites, (2) spring precipitation was a huge controlling factor on the degree of expansion, (3) there was an interaction between spring precipitation, the species’ mostly biennial life history and restoration progress, and (4) the effects of grazing regime changes interacted with all of these factors. Although a treatment of heavy grazing followed by two years of late season grazing was favorable to restoration, the same treatment followed by 2 years of no grazing, was not as weedy species crowded out the mustard. Conversely, a change to late season grazing from an ungrazed and relatively nonweedy condition reduced plant density and abundance. No grazing is clearly the best management strategy where habitat is protected and not previously heavily grazed or containing a weedy component. In other situations, multiple restoration strategies may be necessary. Poster 6. Wetland Prairie Restoration: An Online Resource Kathryn A. Alexander, Kathy Fioretti, Jeff Kresse Wetland prairie restoration practitioners in the Pacific Northwest must overcome a myriad of challenges, both in terms of the complex biological systems they aim to restore, and in terms of the social, ecological, and political landscapes in which these areas are imbedded. This inherent complexity necessitates adaptive and dynamic restoration techniques, and requires practitioners and scientists to constantly eliminate ineffective strategies and remain informed about the newest and most effective approaches to restoration. In response to these challenges and as part of the University of Oregon's Environmental Leadership Program, we built a website geared towards restoration practitioners in collaboration with many community partners in the Willamette
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Valley and beyond. Our website, and the information contained within it, is part of a larger wetland prairie restoration project funded by the EPA and carried out by the City of Eugene, Institute for Applied Ecology, Jeff Krueger, Lane Council of Governments, and the Center for Natural Lands Management. This effort has produced several published scientific papers, hands-on workshops, and a comprehensive written guide to wetland prairie restoration in the Pacific Northwest. Our website distills this research down to its most crucial components, provides links to restoration-related videos, native plant materials, and contains a virtual tour of many restored sites and much more. This broadly accessible web platform is an ideal way to provide access to many years of research and the resulting lessons learned in one central archive, and will hopefully aid in providing useful, up- to-date information, on how to best restore wetland prairie ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Our website can be found at http://cascadiaprairieoak.org/resources/wet-prairie-guide
Poster 7. Wocus (Nuphar lutea ssp. polysepala) Restoration at the Williamson River Delta Preserve, Oregon. Melissa J. Schroeder Since 1999, The Nature Conservancy has worked to establish native wetland vegetation throughout the Williamson River Delta Preserve, located near Chiloquin, Oregon. Sections of levee throughout the Preserve were breached in order to hydrologically reconnect the Delta to Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes. Flooded areas have naturally re-established with various native wetland vegetation. Wocus (Nuphar lutea ssp. polysepala, also known as Rocky Mountain or yellow pond-lily) was once a dominant native species in the lake- fringe wetlands of Upper Klamath Lake. Though it still occurs in various places throughout the Lake, wocus has not recolonized within the Preserve. In the Delta, wocus provides habitat for shortnose and Lost River suckers (both of which are endangered species) and redband trout (a state sensitive species). Various wildlife forage on all parts of the plant. The large leaves of the aquatic vegetation may help regulate temperatures in Upper Klamath Lake; which has high water temperatures. The plant is also culturally significant as a historic food source for Klamath and Modoc Tribes. Wocus naturally recolonizes slowly. Therefore, The Nature Conservancy, United States Fish and Wildlife Service and The Klamath Tribes have collaborated to actively re-establish wocus within the Preserve. Various methods have been tried annually since 2004 to reintroduce wocus. As yet, none of the methods have been successful. Planting efforts in the spring of 2014 have improved on previous methods and initially appear to be successful. Currently, 72 percent of rhizomes planted are growing and appear robust; including 75 percent of rhizomes planted for the initial stage of a wocus nursery.
Poster 8. Developing a Template for Wetland Restoration in Alaska’s Interior Amy Tippery, Lori Richter This is a pioneering project to study the viability of restoration methods in Alaska’s Interior large river systems. Our goal was to assess the efficacy of collecting, growing and planting native species for restoration projects, and to ascertain success of native plantings in the far north. The Tanana Lakes restoration site was restored through a multiple agency partnership including the Fairbanks North Star Borough, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District, Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, Salcha Delta Soil and Water Conservation District and U.S. Army Garrison Fort Wainwright Alaska. The project is ~1 acre of lacustrine wetland created in the historic bed of the Alaska’s Interior Tanana river, and entailed the excavation of over 20,000 cubic feet of junked vehicles, re-grading the bank slope and establishing emergent and scrub- shrub communities. After the project installation (October 2013), a five year monitoring effort will document plant mortality, growth (via aerial coverage), and soil development. The results of efforts to grow watershed specific emergent species were very positive. When seeded (September 2012) and stratified through the winter at temperatures down to -40°F under snowpack, ~80% germination was achieved. The expected results of installing these plants include slow but significant organics accumulation, and an immediate increase in species diversity and vegetative habitat features. This study is the first endeavor in Alaska’s Interior to improve
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 59 ABSTRACTS - POSTERS watershed function through wetland creation, and lessons learned will be a template for the Army and other land managers to counter decades of environmental degradation. Poster 9. How do Multiple Land-use Linked Stressors Impact Aquatic Invertebrate Communities? Hannah E. Clark, David E. Wooster Commercial agriculture is crucial to the success of modern society because it allows for the large production of food in a short amount of time. However, agriculture can have negative effects on aquatic systems by adding pollutants and altering flows. Researchers have called for further study of land use linked stressors on river and stream communities because the effects can be complex and difficult to predict. More information is needed on multiple stressors linked to agriculture to better inform land managers of possible environmental risks associated with land use. Though there are several agriculturally linked stressors of concern to land managers, fine sediment management should be a priority, as well as the single and interactive effects of water abstraction with sediment addition. I am using in-stream techniques to study how agriculturally-linked stressors (sediment addition and reduced water discharge) impact aquatic invertebrate communities across multiple land-use types (agricultural and forested). I hypothesize that: 1) sediment addition and reduced water discharge will decrease aquatic invertebrate richness and abundance and change functional group proportions within the community, 2) multiple interacting stressors will have a greater effect on the invertebrate community compared to single stressors, 3) the aquatic invertebrate community in the forested study site will exhibit a greater stressor response compared to the community in the agricultural study site. This study has the potential to identify how multiple, agriculturally-linked stressors interact to influence aquatic invertebrate communities. Field research will begin summer 2014. Poster 10. Freshwater Tidal Estuary Creation at South Tongue Point in the Columbia River Estuary. Zachary Mallon In the Columbia River Estuary 70-90% of the productive estuary habitat has been lost to habitat degradation through development and the dumping of dredge spoils. In 2010 at South Tongue Point in Astoria, Oregon a partnership between the BPA and the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST) created a tidal wetland. In 2012, a partnership between the North Coast Watershed Association and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board planted the site with native vegetation. The site was previously a wetland isolated from Cathlamet Bay by road fill and a tide gate. The wetland was dominated by Phalaris arundinacea (Canary Reed Grass). The tide gate and 36” culvert were replaced with a countersunk 11' diameter culvert to create a habitat dominated by tidal fluctuations. Excavation in the wetland produced tidal channels and hummocks, diversifying habitat. The excavation deeply buried the P. arundinacea rhizomes to delay its recolonization of the area, allowing native plantings time to establish. Picea sitchensis, locally sourced Salix spp., Thuja plicata and native understory species were planted to establish a spruce swamp. The created habitat will serve several ESA Salmonids, Eulachon smelt, and other native species which have suffered as a result of habitat loss. NCWA and CREST are working on additional habitat creation projects in dredge spoils to create a network of new habitat in the lower Columbia River Estuary.
Poster 11. Tepee Creek (WA) Channel Restoration Colin MacLaren Tepee Creek is a perennial tributary of the Klickitat River in south- central Washington. Channel destabilization and erosion from human disturbance caused Tepee Creek to incise, disconnecting it from its floodplain. The incised stream caused a draining condition that caused the adjacent meadows to lose hydrology. Site topology indicated that historic conditions could be reclaimed by raising the channel to its natural level before it became impaired. The final project created 95 feet of new channel; reconnected 135 feet of historic channel; built a 140-
60 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - POSTERS foot coarsened riffle; and raised the bed elevation by 3 feet along a 1,850-foot stretch of the stream. Post- construction monitoring is ongoing.
Poster 12. Roads and Reed Canarygrass: The Story of Wetland Mitigation in Auburn Environmental Park Allisa Carlson, Brock Rylander, Ingrid Gaub, Matt Larson In collaboration with the City of Auburn, Washington; Environmental Science Associates (ESA) designed a 22- acre wetland creation and enhancement project, located in the Green River Valley south of Seattle. The site was required mitigation for the ‘A’ Street NW Extension Project, which was designed to relieve traffic congestion and create a regional transportation link. Road construction resulted in three acres of palustrine emergent wetland impacts. The mitigation site is located in Auburn Environmental Park, which serves as a regionally significant open space in an urbanized area that offers opportunities for wetland ecosystem restoration, education, and recreation. A regional multiple use trail travels north-south along the eastern edge of the park and mitigation site. Prior to settlement in the 1850s, the park was mostly marshy, natural lands in the floodplain of Mill Creek. By the late 1880s, the Auburn Valley had become an important agricultural area, with much of the land used for production. During the 1950s, land use in the area began to shift from griculture to industry. Most of the park sat fallow for over 30 years and non-native, invasive reed canarygrass began to dominate the wetlands. The city’s goal is to return the former pasture lands within the park to higher functioning wetland habitat. The City of Auburn and ESA developed mitigation design strategies to eradicate reed canarygrass from the mitigation area. Control mechanisms for reed canarygrass included repeated mowing and chemical spraying. Phase 1 plantings were installed in the fall of 2011, with additional replacement plants in 2012. More than 60,000 live willow stakes were installed, along with Sitka spruce and other native plants. Habitat features included the construction of micro-depressions, snags, logs, wind-throws, and brush piles. This presentation will summarize the lessons learned for this successful mitigation project based upon two years of post-construction monitoring.
SEEDS AND SEEDING
Poster 13. Native Prairie Seeding: An Experimental Analysis of Rates and Equipment for Sowing Prairie Species Cara Applestein, Sarah T. Hamman A major challenge for Pacific Northwest prairie restoration has been re-establishing native species into disturbed sites. Observations of field germination have indicated that high sowing rates may be necessary to achieve desired community compositions. The goal of this experiment was to test whether low and high seeding rates (6.69lb/acre vs 23.43 lb/acre) and different seeding methods (drop seeder vs seed drill) could produce certain target densities for 23 prairie plant species. The experiment had a 3 x 2 randomized block design with three replicates, which were seeded in the fall of 2012 at two prairie sites (Glacial Heritage and Tenalquot). The seedling density of all seeded species was monitored during the growing season following the seeding, along with percent cover of moss and lichen, bare ground, and biological crust. Treatment effects were analyzed using Poisson, negative binomial, and zero inflated regression models. Site effects often overwhelmed treatment effects. One year after seeding, only six species were at or near target densities with a high seeding rate. For most species, there was no difference between seeding methods, however four species were significantly more abundant (p < 0.05) in drop seeded plots than seed drill plots at Tenalquot. Estimated germination rates for species without existing background densities were extremely low, often below 1%. LUAL was an exception with a germination rate of 26% at Glacial. Future monitoring seasons will be able to determine if densities increase as more time passes after seeding due to delayed germination. Early results indicate even higher seeding rates may be necessary to achieve desired plant densities.
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Poster 14. Impact of Ruminant Digestion on Germination of Ingested Seeds of Native Warm-season Grasses Erin Kiley Herbivory is a key process in range and grassland ecosystems and it is imperative to consider the role of herbivores as part of a holistic system and utilize this understanding to improve land management. Dissemination of seeds by livestock has been discussed as means of spreading desired and native plant species, across grasslands and pastures (Grubb, 1977). Seeds which retain viability subsequent to ruminant digestive tract exposure can be vital to the process of introducing new desirable forage species and enhancing spread of established species (Blackshaw and Rode, 1991). Further research is needed in this area to determine and to understand how grazing animals, including cattle, can act as a potential tool for land regeneration. The scope of this study was to examine the effects of rumen and intestinal digestion on seed germination of dormancy-prone native warm-season grasses including switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii L.) with the purpose of addressing cattle as a sustainable means of spread of valuable forage and biomass crops. Experiment one was to determine the impact of rumen exposure and digestion on seed viability and germination. Seeds were treated to in situ (live animal) rumen digestion in a cannulated steer for 48 hours. Experiment two was to examine the effect of small intestine exposure and digestion to determine impact on seed viability and germination and potential points of digestion which cause or impact seed mortality. Seeds were treated to in vitro small intestine digestion for 24 hours. Switchgrass mean germination percentage was reduced by 86.70% and big bluestem mean germination percentage was reduced by 79.59% ith exposure to rumen phase plus SIP. Results suggest a percentage of seed lot viability remains intact for cattle to disseminate germinable seeds of these native warm-season grass species for potential forage, biomass and restoration use.
Poster 15. Partnerships for Developing Regional Native Seed Sources for Use in Restoration Berta Youtie Acquiring native seed from genetically, local sources to use in restoration and revegetation projects on western wildlands requires long term planning and collaboration. Grass and forb seed of local provenance is difficult to locate in the marketplace and in many cases is more expensive than non-native and native cultivars. There are many benefits to using seed of local origin: they assist in returning more normal fire intervals and fuel loading; use less water; provide food sources for native insects, birds and other wildlife; compete with weeds; are less likely to become invasive or overly competitive with other native vegetation; protect biodiversity and stewardship of our natural heritage and are more genetically diverse and therefore able to adapt to changing climate and environmental conditions. In order to develop native seed for restoration in an efficient and economical way, a partnership was formed within the Deschutes Basin of Central Oregon. The Deschutes Basin Native Plant Seedbank (DBNPS), a non-profit corporation, formed in 2004 as a collaboration of over 20 partners to collect, propagate, and provide local seed of common restoration species to federal, state, local agencies; non-profit organizations; private companies and landowners involved in restoration activities in the Deschutes and John Day Basins. The Seedbank secures funding, coordinates contract growers, distributes seed, facilitates cooperation between formal partners and other users of the Seedbank and provides educational opportunities concerning the benefits of native plants, their use and seeding guidelines. A formal agreement between partners, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been in place for 10 years. The Seedbank is self-sustainable; selling approximately 2500 pounds of seed each year. Wild collections incorporate the diversity within each Basin; elevation, slope and soil conditions. The Seedbank has proven to be an effective model for other regions interested in creating partnerships for developing native plant materials.
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Poster 16. Dynamics of Seed Germination and Cold Hardiness for the Great Basin Native Forb Sulfur-flower Buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) Matthew R. Fisk, Anthony S. Davis, Kent G. Apostol, Jeremiah R. Pinto, Kenneth W. Pete USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management policies and regulations recommend the use of genetically appropriate native plant materials in restoration to provide for diversity and sustainability, particularly in light of climate change. Cold Hardiness as an indicator for a species resiliency is a key component in species survival and restoration success in shifting climates. In this ongoing study, sulphur-flower buckwheat (Eriogonum umbellatum) is examined. June 29, 2013 5 replications of 21 seed collections were sown at the Moscow Rocky Mountain Research Station Forest Sciences Laboratory greenhouse. These selected collections represent 10 seed sources collected in 2009, longitudinal collections - 2 seed source sets of 7 consecutive years (2003/2004-2010), 6 Omernik level IV ecoregions, 4 Omernik level III ecoregions, broad representation across Great Basin provisional seed zones, and an elevation gradient of 2758ft – 5753ft. Our method of conducting cold hardiness research is focused around the Freeze Induced Electrolyte Leakage (FIEL) protocol. It is employed for, where appropriate, foliage, stem, and root tissue. Seed characteristics were examined prior to sowing. Seed germination results expressed different rates among years and seed sources when stratification is withheld during the propagation process, thus the age of non-stratified material has an impact on germination success when seedlings are grown in the same environment. Results also indicate an increase in germination after a ripening period of 4-5 years. When propagating on a large scale for accelerated restoration, seed selection will be an important factor when attempting to render maximum germination while using little stratification. Field work and FIEL results are currently being conducted and analyzed to capture the entire calendar year (October 2013 - October 2014).
Poster 17. Increasing the Availability and Quality of Native Plant Material for Habitat Restoration on the BLM Boise District through the Seeds of Success Program Joseph Weldon Increasing the availability and quality of native plant materials is essential for restoring and maintaining the biodiversity and ecosystem functionality of the Great Basin ecoregion. The BLM Seeds of Success (SOS) program is a national native seed collection program dedicated to conserving the biodiversity of native plants in the Great Basin ecoregion. SOS’s mission is to collect wildland native seed for research, development, germplasm conservation, and ecosystem restoration. Recent efforts by the BLM Boise District have been dedicated to completing SOS collections with a focus on selecting native species vital to sagebrush steppe and sage-grouse habitats; sagebrush, perennial bunchgrasses and preferred food forbs. These species are also important food sources for native pollinators and other invertebrates, as well as other sagebrush obligate species such as pronghorn, pygmy rabbit, southern Idaho ground squirrel, migratory birds, and many other wildlife species. In October 2013 native plant materials from local sources were grown out at private and federal nurseries and out planted in sage-grouse breeding habitat in order to restore habitat impacted by the 2013 Pony Complex wildfire. Plantings of sagebrush and sage-grouse preferred food forbs were monitored the spring of 2014 and showed successful survivorship, demonstrating the importance of utilizing locally collected native plant materials when implementing restoration projects. Future efforts by the Boise District Ecology and Wildlife programs will focus on continuing the collection of local native plant material important to maintaining functional ecosystems and wildlife habitats, and using this material for ecosystem restoration, wildlife habitat enhancement, and wildfire rehab projects.
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SAGEBRUSH RESTORATION
Poster 18. Collaborative Sage Grouse Habitat Restoration in the Owyhee's Arthur Talsma Habitat loss and fragmentation are leading threats to greater sage-grouse. Conifer encroachment in sagebrush communities reduces plant diversity and cover, and degrades habitat for many wildlife species including sage- grouse. The rugged and remote Owyhee canyons and uplands in Idaho and Oregon provide critical habitat for sage-grouse. The significant expansion of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis) has diminished important breeding, nesting, and brood-rearing habitat for sage-grouse. Besides improverishing local plant communities, juniper trees provide perches for avian predators and as a result sage-grouse abandon encroached areas. A collaborative effort using low impact mechanical mastication equipment and cutting methods to remove stage I and II juniper near leks and wet meadows is restoring native plant communities and improving wildlife habitat in CORE sage-grouse areas.
Poster 19. Herbicide Impacts on Forb Performance in Degraded Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems Aislinn Johns, Marie-Anne de Graaff Frequent fires have led to increased invasion of the native sagebrush steppe ecosystem by Bromus tectorum (herafter: cheatgrass). This threatens sagebrush dependent species such as sage-grouse; a candidate for protection under the endangered species act. Ecosystem restoration projects aimed at removing cheatgrass from the system frequently use a pre-emergence herbicide containing the ingredient imazapic. Although imazapic successfully suppresses cheatgrass, its impact on native forb species important for the survival of sage- grouse is unknown. Since fire affects soil microbial activity and nutrient availability to plants, imazapic may affect forb performance differently in recently burned areas. This study aims to assess how imazapic affects forbs in degraded unburned and recently burned sagebrush steppe ecosystems. To this aim, we grew three forbs (Achillea millefolium, Astragalus filipes, and Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia) at four concentrations of imazapic (0, 2, 4 and 8 oz./acre) in burned and unburned soils, in a controlled greenhouse study. We found: imazapic concentration significantly impacts forb performance, and altered microbial activity resulting from recent fire does not mediate the impact of imazapic on forb performance. In a follow-up experiment, we investigated the impact of imazapic application timing on native forb performance and cheatgrass resistance. In this case, we grew the forbs and cheatgrass in soil with application of either 0 or 4 oz/acre of imazapic at 2, 4, 8 or 16 weeks prior to planting. We found that imazapic significantly decreased the aboveground biomass of cheatgrass and some forbs even when the herbicide was applied 16 weeks prior to planting. The legume, Astragalus filipes appeared to be the least effected by imazapic, which could indicate that imazapic impacts nitrogen mineralization processes. Understanding the way this herbicide affects native and invasive flora can help improve restoration techniques.
Poster 20. Cattle Grazing and Vegetation Succession on Burned Sagebrush Steppe Jonathan D. Bates, Kirk W. Davies There is limited information about the effects of cattle grazing to longer-term plant community composition and herbage production following fire in sagebrush steppe. This study evaluated vegetation response to cattle grazing over seven years (2007-2013) on burned Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis (Beetle & Young) Welsh) steppe in eastern Oregon. Treatments, replicated 4 times and applied in a randomized complete block design, included no grazing on burned (Non-use) and unburned (Control) sagebrush steppe; and cattle grazing at low (Low), moderate (Moderate), and high (High) stocking on burned sagebrush steppe. Vegetation dynamics were evaluated by quantifying herbaceous (canopy and basal cover,
64 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - POSTERS density, production, reproductive shoot weight) and shrub (canopy cover, density) response variables. Aside from basal cover, herbaceous canopy cover, production and reproduction were not different among Low, Moderate, and Non-use treatments. Perennial bunchgrass basal cover was about 25% lower in the Low and Moderate treatments than the Non-use. Production, reproductive stem weight, and perennial grass basal cover were greater in the Low, Moderate, and Non-use treatments than the Control. The High treatment had lower perennial bunchgrass cover (canopy and basal) and production than other grazed and Non-use treatments. Bunchgrass density remained unchanged in the High treatment, not differing from other treatments, and reproductive effort was comparable to the other treatments indicating these areas are potentially recoverable by reducing stocking. Cover and production of Bromus tectorum L. (cheatgrass) did not differ among the grazed and Non-use treatments, though all were greater than the Control. Cover and density of A.t. spp. wyomingensis did not differ among the burned grazed and Non-use treatments and were less than the Control. We concluded that light to moderate stocking rates are compatible to sustainable grazing of burned sagebrush steppe rangelands. Poster 21. Collaborative Restoration Monitoring within Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Habitat using the AIM Strategy Cody Ernst-Brock, Lee Turner, Lynn Zimmerman The Great Basin Institute (GBI), an interdisciplinary field studies organization, enhances the efficacy of its habitat restoration projects by engaging in meaningful partnerships with federal, state, and non-governmental organizations. A multi-agency collaboration with the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the Nevada Partners for Conservation and Development, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates program has facilitated the deployment of monitoring teams to areas of management concern across northern Nevada. GBI provided training, field gear, and logistical support to monitoring teams, and partner agencies provided funding, and project-specific focus and goals. Field crews collected data using the Bureau of Land Management’s Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) method and recorded data in the corresponding Database for Inventory, Monitoring, and Assessment, developed by the USDA ARS Jornada Experimental Range. AIM data were collected over multiple years at sites where restoration projects were planned or had already occurred, providing both pre-treatment baseline data and post-treatment data to evaluate the effectiveness of habitat restoration treatments. Control plots were also monitored to allow for rigorous statistical analyses. Field data included species cover, shrub and tree density, canopy gap, and overall species richness at 2.35 acre plots located within monitoring sites. Special focus was placed on monitoring sites where thinning of Pinyon pine and Utah juniper complexes encroaching into sage-grouse habitat were underway. At a site of management concern in western Nevada, pre-treatment data were collected in 2011 and field data were again collected in 2014 to evaluate the effectiveness of Pinyon-juniper thinning in habitat for both the Greater sage-grouse and the genetically distinct Bi-State sage-grouse (C. urophasianus) populations. Through use of the AIM strategy and multi-agency collaborative support, we assessed the efficacy of specific restoration treatments to inform adaptive management. Poster 22. Legacy Effects of Rehabilitation on Fire Return Intervals in Great Basin Sagebrush Steppe Chris Bowman-Prideuax, Beth A. Newingham Many plants in Great Basin shrublands are adapted to fire regimes with long fire return intervals because of the patchy distribution of vegetation. Invasion by Bromus tectorum and other annual species threaten these ecosystems by creating a continuous fuel bed and shortening the fire return interval from centuries to decades. Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) efforts attempt to limit the establishment of annual species that create fine fuels and alter local fire regimes. We used a combination of fieldwork and GIS layers detailing fire and land treatment history in southern Idaho to assess the landscape-level impact of the number of fires and rehabilitation on vegetation and fire return intervals. We extracted data from randomly selected sites across 209,000 ha and analyzed the data using generalized linear models. Fieldwork characterized plant cover and
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 65 ABSTRACTS - POSTERS density at a subset of sites. Rehabilitation techniques included tilling seeds using a tractor (drill seeding), dropping seed aerially with helicopters (aerial seeding), and drill and aerial seeding together. The fire return intervals significantly decreased after each of the first three fires at a site, however, this inverse relationship was not apparent after the fourth fire. The fire return interval differed significantly across rehabilitation methods with the longest interval at drill seeded sites (22.5years) followed by untreated sites (17 years). Aerially seeded sites had the shortest mean fire return interval (5 years). Spatial autocorrelation prompted further analysis revealing: 1) fires were most frequent where sagebrush removal occurred prior to 1980 and 2) aerially seeded sites are most common where the fire and grazing tolerant non-native bunchgrass, Agropyron cristatum, dominated vegetation. These data suggest that sites with a history of sagebrush conversion may be more prone to fire in the future as A. cristatum cover increases.
Poster 23. Long-term Fire Effects on Plant Succession and Exotic Weeds in Protected Area Sagebrush Steppe Claire Reed-Dustin, Ricardo Mata-Gonzalez, Tom Rodhouse Historically, fire acted as a dominant ecological processes in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. A recent synthesis on the effects of fire in the Great Basin emphasizes the need for long term (>10 years) research on fire effects. We examined the effect of fire in shaping community composition in a basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. spp. tridentata) community through cover and density measurements. We used data collected over repeated intervals post-burn, in plots that range in age from 9 to 15 years, at the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon. In addition, emphasis was placed on determining the effect of fire on the invasive, annual grasses, cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae [L.] Nevski) and on the native tree, western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook). Initial analysis shows an increase in cheatgrass cover to 58.4% at 10 years post-burn from 45.14% cover pre-burn. Cheatgrass cover remained low in plots that were dominated by native grasses, particularly Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis Elmer) pre-burn. Medusahead cover increased to 3.73% cover at 10 years post-burn over 2.05% per-burn. The average density of basin big sagebrush declined from 11.62 individuals per 150 m2 pre-burn to 1.29 individuals per 150 m2 at 10 years post- burn, with immature sagebrush making up less than 0.01% of the counted individuals.
Poster 24. Great Basin Fire Science Delivery Eugenie MontBlanc, Michael Pellant, Jeanne C. Chambers, Brad Schultz, Elizabeth Leger, Stephen Bunting, Cheri Howell, Mark Brunson The Great Basin Fire Science Delivery (GBFSD) project (www.gbfiresci.org) is one of 15 regional Fire Exchanges funded by the Joint Fire Science Program. The project connects managers and scientists to improve pre- and post-fire management decisions by providing relevant information and access to technical expertise. GBFSD works to: 1) provide a forum where Great Basin land managers can identify technical needs with respect to fire, fuels, and post-fire vegetation management; 2) develop and synthesize the information and technical tools to meet these needs; 3) provide the information and technical tools through preferred venues; and 4) develop direct lines of communication between managers and scientists. The project is currently sponsoring five syntheses and related field guides that are focused on sagebrush and pinyon/juniper ecosystems that address effects of fire on vegetation and soils, site recovery potential, effects of livestock grazing on fuel loads, impacts of fire on runoff and erosion, and wind erosion and post-fire stabilization. GBFSD webinars and field events offer the latest research on fire and fuels management in the Great Basin. Our website features condensed lists of useful publications and guides, provides information about online fire and fuels management courses, and provides links to our partner’s resources.
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Remote Sensing and Vegetation Classification
Poster 25. Multispectral and LiDAR Remote Sensing for Vegetation Classification of the Orchard Combat Training Center, Idaho Lucas Spaete, Charles Baun, Nancy Glenn An area-wide remote sensing-based vegetation classification of the Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC), Idaho, was performed to help meet short- and long-term land stewardship goals. The vegetation classification will be used for monitoring landscape impacts as well as for habitat assessment. The vegetation classification was performed using multitemporal and multispectral RapidEye satellite and airborne LiDAR data. Field plots were established and repeat visited to correspond to the multitemporal remote sensing data collections. Multispectral and LiDAR derived products were created and used in a RandomForests machine learning approach to classify the vegetation. Our results indicate that the RapidEye multitemporal data perform well for numerous vegetation species; and these results were improved with airborne LiDAR. The detection of nearly all vegetation species classes was improved with the inclusion of the LiDAR derivative products, resulting in classification accuracies above 75% for all species. This presentation will demonstrate the classification methodology, as well as the differences between using multitemporal satellite data alone with a combined dataset of both mutitemporal satellite and LiDAR data.
Poster 26. Distribution of Non-native Plant Species in Northeastern Washington and Adjacent Idaho: Implications for Restoration Planning Rachel Salazar, Neville Magone, James Hallett When habitats are subjected to human disturbance (e.g., overgrazing, agriculture, mining), native plant species are typically lost. Disturbance can also provide opportunities for invasive or weedy species, which can further reduce numbers of native species. We are exploring these relationships on both undisturbed (reference) and disturbed sites that were selected for or undergoing restoration. Our dataset consisted of observations of plant species observed on 24 reference and 68 disturbed sites on Tribal lands in northeastern Washington and northern Idaho for eight habitat types. Approximately 19% and 51% of perennial and annual grass and forb species were nonnative. To analyze the impact of disturbance on native plant distribution, we first examined the distributions of nonnative species in the region using GIS analysis. We then looked at similarities in species composition of nonnative species at sites across the region and visualized these using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Comparisons of reference to disturbed sites indicated that the approaches to restoration may have to be quite different for sites being returned to the same habitat type. Moreover, the return trajectories are likely to vary considerably. The relationship between native and nonnative species composition is complex and depends on the habitat type, geographical location, and history of the site. Poster 27. Using Multispectral Imagery, LiDAR and Field Measurements for Aboveground Biomass in the Sagebrush Steppe, Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Shital Dhakal, Aihua Li, Nancy Glenn, Lucas Spaete, Douglas Shinneman, David Pilliod, Robert Arkle, Susan McIlroy Understanding and quantifying biomass of sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), as well as native and non-native grasses, is significant for managing changes and threats to the sagebrush-steppe, modeling vegetation dynamics, estimating pre-fire and post-fire fuel loads, measuring carbon storage and assessing habitat quality. Remote sensing techniques can be exploited to develop models to incorporate field information collected at fine scale to compare with information sought at coarser remote sensing scales. Yet accurate measurement of biomass with imagery from satellite or airborne platforms is challenged by spectral signal mixing of dryland vegetation types.
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In this study, we incorporate Landsat 8 multispectral imagery and airborne LiDAR (ALS) data with ground samples for scaling shrub and grass biomass from subplot to plot levels and plot to regional levels in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA), Idaho. Various point cloud statistics derived from the ALS and spectral metrics from Landsat 8 were trained and linked with the referential aboveground biomass provided by ground sampling of 1m2 subplots. The relationships are then used to scale to 1 hectare plot levels. We will report our preliminary results, as well as the relative value of using ALS and Landsat 8 data for regional-scale mapping of shrub and grass biomass.
Poster 28. Estimation of Big Sagebrush Leaf Area Index with Terrestrial Laser Scanning Peter J. Olsoy, Jessica J. Mitchell, Nancy Glenn, Delphis F. Levia, Patrick E. Clark Arid and semiarid ecosystems, including grasslands, shrublands, and savannas, dominate about 40% of the Earth’s land surface. Global models of carbon, water, and nutrient cycles are essential to predict the effects of climate change and better understand its effects on semiarid vegetation communities. Traditionally, vegetation structure and function is monitored using field-derived metrics such as percent cover, species composition, primary productivity, and biomass. Leaf area index (LAI), defined as the one-sided area of green leaves per unit ground area, is an important variable for photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, and energy balance models. LAI is frequently estimated with remote sensing techniques, providing users with an easily scalable measure of vegetation structure. We used terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) to measure structural variables such as shrub height, canopy cover, and volume for 45 Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis) plants sampled across three study sites in the Snake River Plain. The TLS-derived variables were regressed against sagebrush LAI derived from specific leaf area. Canopy cover proved to be a good predictor of LAI, as did convex hull volume. However, TLS-derived shrub height was a relatively poor predictor and did not explain any additional variation when combined with canopy cover. These results suggest that TLS is a good predictor of LAI at the shrub-level. Further work should examine the potential to estimate LAI at the plot-level (i.e., hectare).
GENERAL RESTORATION AND WEEDS
Poster 29. The Restoration of Sweet Grass (Schoenoplectus pungens) in the Nisqually Delta: An Ethnobotanical Restoration Effort Alexandra Harwell The Puget Sound has been intensely altered from its original state through industrial and agricultural development. This area is important for commerce due to its access to the Pacific Ocean, and agriculture due to its rich soils, but development comes with a price. In recent years we are realizing the toll of these activities on the environment and are seeking to restore bits and pieces of the system. The Nisqually estuary is such a place where fresh water and salt water mingle; creating a unique ecosystem that preforms many ecological functions. Here the Nisqually Indian Tribe are important stakeholders in a place they have called home for thousands of years. Schoenoplectus pungens is an estuary bullrush that is used for several Northwest basketry techniques. This plant grows in low elevation salt marshes often covered at least once a day by tidewater. Though a common marsh plant, the drastic changes to the region within the last century have affected plant communities along the Nisqually River Delta. The purpose of this study is to (i) define current plant associations in the area, (ii) develop propagation protocol for S. pungens including habitat preferences and requirements, and (iii) identify reestablishment location and growth of S. pungens.
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Poster 30. Portland Ecologists Unite!: Sharing Ecological Information and Building a Resilient Community of Ecologists Toby Query, Tonia Burns, Joe Buttafuoco, Logan Lauvray Portland Ecologists Unite! (EcoUnite!) organizes discussions with ecological professionals about current topics. Founded in 2011, EcoUnite! selects a different topic each month and assembles experts to present a topic followed by a moderated discussion. Topics chosen are thought-provoking and selected for their interest to the active ecologist professional. Topics have included: novel ecosystems, climate change, local bond levies, art, invasive slugs, herbicides and the emerald ash borer. Discussions often highlight the strong role philosophy and ethics play in our land management decisions, but are rarely discussed during work hours. Because attendees are “off work” at an Ecounite! event, they can articulate opinions that may differ from their supervisors and enjoy a beverage. EcoUnite! serves as a model to improve communication between ecologists, build relationships, and investigate emerging issues. An accompanying blog and active email listserv act as coordination and documentation platforms, as well as providing means to collaborate with the larger community of ecologists.
Poster 31. Evaluating the Effects of Digging and Harvesting Common Camas (Camassia quamash [Pursh] Greene) Bulbs in Weippe Prairie, Nez Perce National Historical Park, Idaho. Devin S. Stucki, Ron J. Reuter Common camas (Camassia quamash [Pursh] Greene) has been a staple food source of many Native Americans indigenous to the Pacific Northwest, including the Nez Perce people, for thousands of years. The digging of camas bulbs has traditionally been thought to stimulate growth of camas plants and increase camas plant densities. Camas is a facultative wetland species that is strongly associated with seasonally wet prairies. It was once widespread but populations have declined mainly due to the conversion of land for agriculture. Restoration of camas prairies is necessary to counter the loss of habitat. This study will assess how digging camas and harvesting camas bulbs affects camas populations in Weippe Prairie, Idaho. A total of 32 permanent plots (1 m^2) will be established in Weippe Prairie, with 16 plots receiving a digging and harvesting treatment and 16 plots remaining as controls. The plots will be observed for changes of trend in camas plant densities, camas flowering stem densities, seedling densities, vascular plant species composition, and basal cover of dominant plant species. Digging for camas bulbs may prove to be a useful tool for camas prairie restoration and land management. This study will lead to better understanding of how traditional digging for camas bulbs affects camas growth and regeneration, as well as the growth of other native and nonnative plants.
Poster 32. Assessing Effects of Grassland Restoration on Native Bee and Spider Communities in a Pacific Northwestern Agroecosystem Lauren A. Smith, Sandy DeBano Since pre-settlement times over 90% of native North American grasslands have declined, primarily due to agricultural conversion. Thus, much of grassland restoration efforts occur in the context of agroecosystems and may vary from small scale restoration projects to large scale projects, such as restoring field margins or roadsides to rehabilitating abandoned agricultural fields. Today, grasslands provide essential habitat for many rare and endangered plant and animal species; however, most research is disproportionately aimed at vertebrates, even though invertebrates are by far more specious and abundant. Invertebrates in North American grasslands provide diverse ecosystem services such as pollination, nutrient cycling, food web provisioning, and predation of crop pests. Yet it is unclear whether much of the grassland restoration occurring in the United States has resulted in restoration of invertebrate diversity and function. This is particularly true of bunchgrass grasslands in the Pacific Northwest. In the last decade, a growing realization of the importance of grassland habitats in agroecosystems has led to an increased number of restoration projects in eastern Oregon such as
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The Nature Conservancy Boardman Preserve, a 9,163 ha restoration site that was previously grazed and heavily invaded by cheatgrass. The goal of this study is to use an observational study to understand how grassland restoration impacts native bee and spider diversity and if restoration returns diversity and richness to native levels by comparing restored, native, and degraded sites. In addition, one goal aims to determine if age of restoration plays a role in invertebrate responses. Ultimately, this research will result in management recommendations that can increase the number and diversity of beneficial invertebrates and the ecosystem services they provide in restored grasslands of the Pacific Northwest.
Poster 33. A Framework for Restoring Aspen and Conserving Associated Ecological Functions on the Zumwalt Prairie in Northeastern Oregon Robert V. Taylor, Patricia L. Kennedy Throughout the American West, aspen stands are declining due to a variety of causes including herbivory by wild and domestic ungulates, altered fire regimes, and a warming climate. Maintaining the ecological values and ecosystem services provided by aspen will require both restoration and mitigation. The Zumwalt Prairie in northeastern Oregon (> 100,000 ha) is the last, large remnant of the once extensive Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass biome. In this landscape, aspen stands support a broad range of biodiversity, from pollinators (e.g., bumblebees) to apex predators (e.g., raptors). Though decline of aspen stands on the Zumwalt Prairie over the past century is well documented, restoration efforts to date have been small in scale, with mixed results and are thus unlikely to avert negative outcomes. In this paper we propose a new framework for increasing the scale and effectiveness of aspen restoration on the Zumwalt Prairie and to mitigate for losses that may be inevitable due to reduced snow pack associated with climate change. Specifically, we aim to identify, map, and prioritize sites for aspen restoration based on analysis of soils, topography, and snow cover using remote-sensing and geographic systems analysis. Furthermore, we suggest management interventions such as prescribed fire and fencing which will likely enhance restoration success at high priority sites. Finally, for sites where aspen may no longer be viable, we propose measures aimed at compensating for their loss and maintain ecological function (e.g., planting of other species, provisioning sites with artificial nest structures). Though we propose to conduct this analysis for the Zumwalt Prairie, we expect the framework developed will be applicable to many landscapes across the west and will have broad conservation impact. Poster 34. Upland Forest Restoration Program in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed – 14 Years of Restoring Habitat and Biodiversity at Multiple Scales Rolf F. Gersonde, Amy K. LaBarge, William Richards Restoration of forest habitat and biodiversity has been practiced in the Pacific Northwest for less than two decades. Most of these efforts follow the inception of the Northwest Forest Plan (1994) and local efforts such as the Cedar River Habitat Conservation Plan (2000). The upland forest restoration program in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed aims to restore forest habitat and biodiversity at the landscape scale while ensuring municipal water supply for the larger Seattle Metropolitan area. During the first decade of the program implementation most restoration treatments evolved from simple prescriptions to integrated multi-disciplinary projects. This development led to active collaboration with other public landowners and research institutions which helped develop the science and practice of forest restoration in the Pacific Northwest. We provide highlights of the forest restoration program in the Cedar River Municipal Watershed, including an update of the landscape scale restoration efforts, examples of individual restoration projects, results of the management trials and monitoring program, and findings that affect our approach to forest restoration. The material presented in this poster is supported by online material available through the Cedar River Habitat Restoration Plan website.
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Poster 35. Detection and Treatment of Invasive Weeds on 16,000 acres of Prairie outside Tacoma, WA Nathan Johnson, Rachel Flitton Invasive plants hinder restoration efforts across all habitat types and ownerships. Practitioners often focus on control methods and overlook techniques for efficient survey and detection of plants. We use five years of data on the perennial weeds leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), mouse-eared hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella), and tall oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius) as case studies to illustrate several survey and detection methods. Our examples come from 16,000 acres of prairie, oak woodland, and grassland on Joint Base Lewis- McChord outside of Tacoma, WA. We assess the efficacy of several survey strategies representing a gradient of search effort and discuss how each can be used chronologically to maximize resources available for survey, detection, and treatment from year-to-year. We have found that more weeds can be detected and treated using a combination of survey techniques. A multi-year survey rotation across managed areas can detect small new populations of invasive plants while still having resources to treat known infestations. Furthermore, road network surveys and ATV- or UTV-based surveys are efficient to detect large, distinct-looking plants. Road surveys are particularly useful if the goal of treatment is to prevent spread out of a heavily infested area. Small, non-descript plants require more intensive searches, especially if the goal is eradication. We combine early season intensive control efforts with later season extensive surveys for the best combination of treatment and survey efficacy. These case studies from Joint Base Lewis-McChord illustrate a sophisticated weed management strategy that can be readily adapted by restoration practitioners to fit their unique needs.
Poster 36. Lucky Peak Nursery: More than Trees and Seeds John Sloan Lucky Peak Nursery (LPN) is a restoration partner for many land management agencies and/or group in the intermountain west. This poster presents many of the services and expertise that LPN provides to customers, partners, and public. Although LPN grows tree seedling and supplies seed services, it has so much more to offer. Poster 37. Innovative Efforts to Control the Spread of Daucus carota (Wild Carrot) in Agricultural Areas of the Olympic Peninsula, Washington Clea Rome, Laurel Moulton, Cathy Lucero, Bruce Pape, Sue Chasen, John Viada, Sandy Deckman
Commercial vegetable seed production, including carrot seed, is a significant contributor to the agricultural economy of Clallam County, Washington. Centered in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley, this valuable carrot seed industry is the result of breeding unique carrot varieties for over thirty years. Daucus carota, or wild carrot, sometimes called Queen Ann’s Lace, is the forerunner of domestic carrots. Cross pollination between domestic carrots and their wild progenitors reverses prized characteristics of domestic carrot seed. Because of its ability to ruin carrot seed crop value, Daucus carota has been listed under Washington’s weed laws as a noxious weed. Wild carrot infestations in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley have greatly increased in the last several years, most notably along roadsides, thereby threatening the viability of seed crop production of domestic carrots. Four different entities, including a large-scale organic farmer, the Clallam County Road Department, Washington State University Extension, and the Clallam County Noxious Weed Control Program collaborated on an innovative plan of action to survey and reduce populations of wild carrot in the county, commencing in the early spring of 2012. This partnership represents a new approach to noxious weed control, with the long-term goal being to develop a comprehensive roadside vegetative management plan for establishment of low-maintenance native habitats along public roadsides. The innovative collaboration is addressing noxious weed control practices along publicly-owned roadsides, engaging citizen scientists, addressing public concern and changing management strategies to be more effective and efficient.
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Collaborative Restoration in Central Oregon: Linking a Land Trust, Academia, and Restoration Professionals Session Chair: Amanda V. Egertson | Deschutes Land Trust
Creating Collaboration between Academia, Public, and Private Institutions to Build a Field Course in Ecological Restoration Matthew R. Orr A field course in ecological restoration provides opportunities for collaboration between academia and public and private organizations conducting ecological restoration. For students, field projects in restoration offer an opportunity to conduct hands-on science, to obtain job-related skills, and to understand the social value of a science degree. For organizations restoring habitat, the involvement of a yearly field course may facilitate sound experimental design and post-project monitoring. Here we describe a field course in restoration that has been held for the past nine years at the OSU-Cascades campus in Bend. The course has collaborated with the Deschutes Land Trust, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and private landowners. We cover processes that have facilitated collaboration, logistical solutions to creating both a summer and a spring term course, pedagogy, and a brief overview of projects in forest, field, and riparian restoration. Subsequent talks in this symposium cover collaborative benefits and research results from two course projects in forest and upland restoration.
Germination and Survivorship of Locally Sourced Squirreltail (Elymus elmoides) vs. Cultivar in Restoration of a Central Oregon Upland Laura Childers, Matthew R. Orr Locally sourced seed is increasingly being used in ecological restoration under the assumption that local seed is better adapted and will outperform nonlocal seed in restoration settings. However, the basic plant literature provides mixed results on the performance advantage of locally-sourced seed, and few studies have examined local vs. nonlocal seed in restored habitat. Moreover, there are various possible advantages to the use of nonlocal seed in restoration, including lower cost and less stress on small populations during seed collection. Here we compare the germination success and survivorship of local vs. cultivar squirreltail (Elymus elmoides) on a historically disturbed, cheatgrass-infested site that serves as the principal point of visitation at the Deschutes Land Trust’s Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. One strain of cultivar showed lower germination success than local seed in 2012, and its inferior performance was magnified in 2013 by both lower survivorship of the first planting and by zero germination success in a second year of planting. Its failure to germinate in the second year was not due to seed senescence, since its germination rate in a later study in the lab was identical to local seed. However, its lab germination rate fell below the rate of local seed under a low watering regime, indicating that low rainfall may suppress cultivar germination in the field. A second strain of cultivar outgerminated local seed in the field in 2014, muddying conclusions at least until its subsequent survivorship is monitored. Use of Solarization to Restore Cheatgrass-infested Uplands Ron J. Reuter, Matthew R. Orr A persistent problem in ecological restoration is the elimination of seed banks of invasive annuals. One of the most difficult annuals to eliminate is cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). One approach to restoring cheatgrass- infested habitat is to inhibit seed bank germination using synthetic chemicals, but this requires application until most of the seed bank has senesced, which requires multiple years and reapplications. Ecological restoration’s
72 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY intent is to accelerate an ecosystem’s return toward its natural state while minimizing disturbance, so techniques that accelerate extermination of a cheatgrass seed bank without the use of chemicals may be useful for restorationists. Here we examine the potential for solarization to inhibit the germination of cheatgrass and other nonnatives present in the seedbank at the Deschutes Land Trust’s Metolius Preserve. Plots were covered with transparent plastic film and soil temperature at 20 cm depth recorded over different treatment seasons. Air temperature, incoming solar radiation, and rainfall were also recorded. Peak incoming solar radiation occurred in July and August and corresponded with both periods of peak air and soil temperatures. At maximum air temperatures, solarized soils had an average daily temperature 8 degrees C higher than unsolarized plots. Germination of cheatgrass and other nonnatives was lower in solarized treatments than in control plots, but differences between control and solarized plots diminished over a three-year period even though outside propagule pressure was prevented in all plots. Our results point to solarization as an effective method of controlling cheatgrass and other invasives, but they also indicate the importance of monitoring its effects over multiple years. Solarization may be most effective when a site is quickly replanted and restored to competitively inhibit weeds that may germinate in later years.
Use of Bark Beetle Pheromones for Regeneration of Standing Dead Wood at the Metolius Preserve Kelly Regan, Darin Stringer Standing dead wood provides critical habitat for tree-dwelling birds and mammals. Forest restoration may require augmenting the density of standing dead wood when snag densities are below historic levels. One challenge of restoring snags is the expense and effort required to create them. In addition, some artificial methods of snag creation may attract few bark beetles and foraging birds, which in turn may reduce vectoring of decay fungi to soften wood for subsequent cavity excavation. The Metolius Preserve near Camp Sherman, Oregon, is a 1,240 acre preserve acquired by the Deschutes Land Trust from Willamette Industries in 2003. At the time of acquisition, snag densities of ponderosa pines (Pinus ponderosa) were below historic levels. A collaboration involving the Deschutes Land Trust, Pacific Stewardship, and undergraduate field courses from OSU-Cascades implemented four techniques for snag creation: attachment of a synthetic mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) aggregation pheromone, girdling, topping, and girdling + pheromone. Pinus ponderosae treated with beetle pheromone had high densities of pitch tubes in all parts of the preserve, but mortality occurred only on one half of the preserve, possibly in response to lower soil moisture. Pheromone- baited trees attracted more foraging birds than girdled or topped trees, but their wood did not soften faster, suggesting that high levels of woodpecker foraging are not needed to vector fungi and accelerate decay. There was little peripheral mortality of trees adjacent to baited trees. Our results indicate that pheromones may provide an easy method to create snags and enhance feeding opportunities for woodpeckers, but they do not appear to accelerate decay, and further study is needed to identify the factors associated with their efficacy in killing trees.
Re-establishing Big Sagebrush – Integration of Planting Stock to Leverage Restoration Success 1 Session Chair: Matt Fisk | USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station
An Introduction to the Target Plant Concept Anthony S. Davis Properly cultivated and selected seedlings can be on of the most effective ways to re-establish vegetation following a period of absence.. Traditionally, a unidirectional relationship existed, whereby the plant material used on a restoration site was provided by a standard, one-size-fits-all, process from the nursery. This particular method overlooks potential survival, performance, and growth gains that can be achieved by properly matching
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 73 ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY nursery stock to specific outplanting conditions. The Target Plant Concept (TPC) incorporates five variables: Objectives and Constraints, Limiting Factors on the Outplanting Site, Stocktype, Source of Plant Material, and Outplanting and Follow-up Practices that should be considered as determining factors for how, where, and when nursery stock are produced for restoration projects. Using the TPC as a standard for successful restoration, the procurement of plant material moves from being based on availability and economics to inclusion of specific seedling attributes that are likely to result in establishment success. This presentation highlights the use of this framework through current research and operational examples and provides guidance for potential new approaches in sagebrush restoration.
The Basis for Seedling Establishment Jeremiah R. Pinto Outplanting environments pose a myriad of challenges to establishing seedlings used in restoration projects. These environments often yield conditions beyond those deemed acceptable for natural reestablishment, or those conditions favorable for establishment by direct seeding. These challenges are realized by land managers after a thorough site evaluation that includes spatial and temporal factors. Only then can the primary limitations to establishment be understood and consequently overcome. In most cases, the primary limitation to seedling establishment is moisture availability, but other limiting factors might include: other plants, animals, extreme temperatures, lack of microorganisms, and even social/cultural issues. A model of seedling establishment outlines how seedlings engage their surroundings and begin to survive and grow on a site. This model characterizes the physiologic, atmospheric, and edaphic process that factor into a target seedling’s design. Additional site preparation tactics and appropriate mitigating measures further aid seedling establishment. In this session, big sagebrush site evaluation, limiting factors, and mitigating measures (including target plant material and site preparation) will be discussed and supported using research and case study information.
The Art and Science of Growing Sagebrush at Lucky Peak Nursery John Sloan Lucky Peak Nursery is located in the foothills near Boise, Idaho. It was established in the mid-1900s to produce conifer tree seedlings for reforestation of National Forest lands in and around the Great Basin. Because of its dry summer climate, Lucky Peak Nursery has long been known for its good quality bareroot ponderosa pine seedlings. More recently as orders for bareroot conifers have dwindled, Lucky Peak Nursery has become famous for growing dry-land shrubs: especially bitterbrush and sagebrush. Sagebrush provides critically needed cover on arid western ranges and serves as cover and forage for many wildlife species. In recent years, there has been a heightened energy put into planting sagebrush on burned or otherwise degraded western rangelands. To grow sagebrush plants in the nursery is not difficult, but there are steps in the process where attention to detail is essential. This presentation will focus on Lucky Peak Nursery and the procedures we use to consistently ensure good quality sagebrush crops in both the bareroot fields and greenhouse. From drying and cleaning seed, through seed storage and sowing, germination, growing phase, hardening, lifting, grading, packing, and seedling storage, this may not be the only way to grow sagebrush but it works for us.
Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation through Prisons Thomas N. Kaye, Larkin Guenther, Stacy Moore The purpose of Sage Grouse Habitat Conservation Through Prisons, “is to improve habitat for Greater sage- grouse by engaging state prison systems in production of sagebrush and other important plants for habitat restoration.” Greater sage-grouse is a candidate for listing by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened or endangered species. Loss of sagebrush habitat is the primary driver of the decline of this species in the western United States. Sagebrush provides crucial food and cover for the birds at multiple stages of their lifecycle, and
74 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY many other plant species provide food either directly or indirectly by attracting insects. Production of sagebrush within state prison systems represents an opportunity to provide urgently needed plant materials. The Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) is a nonprofit organization based in Oregon and is one of the founding members of the Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP) Network and SPP-Oregon. This pilot project is targeting the Snake River Correctional Institution, a prison facility in Eastern Oregon. IAE worked closely with SRCI staff to initiate the project and is now overseeing the propagation of 20,000 sagebrush seedlings in conetainers to be planted on BLM land near Jordan Valley, OR. IAE staff oversee plant production at the facility, from seed germination through growth and readiness for outplanting. The prison is providing a work crew for planting sagebrush at sites designated for habitat improvement for the Greater sage-grouse. IAE is developing a protocol for large scale engagement of prisons in sagebrush plant production that will cover all aspects of launching and maintaining a plant production partnership for sagebrush systems in partnership with a correctional facility.
Stream Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Barry Southerland | USDA-NRCS
In-stream Construction Related Vibration Russ Lawrence There has been significant research done, and speculation offered, that fisheries can be negatively impacted by construction related vibration during stream restoration project construction. This presentation discusses the requirements set by a governing agency for a specific stream stabilization project and the apparent politics behind those requirements. Those requirements are compared to likely naturally occurring vibration. We will then discuss monitoring protocols used and what vibration levels were recorded during the independently and professionally monitored construction process.
Downstream Sediment Impacts of Breaching the Elwha Dam and Glines Dam, WA on Fish Habitat, River Dynamics, and Flood Plain Development, Frank F. Reckendorf, W. Barry Southerland The Elwha Dam at RM 4.9 had final breaching in March 2012. Glines Dam at RM 13 was mostly breached (reduced from 220 ft. to 60 ft. in height) by March 12, 2012. Elwha Tribal Lands (about RM 2.25 - 1.33) started seeing downstream sediment from dam breaches in winter runoff in 2012. As part of a long term study of Engineering Log Jams (ELJ's) we have monitored 49 ELJ's on the Lower Elwah River (tribal lands) between 2006 and 2013. The Elwah below RM 3 is essentially a pool/riffle system. On the lower Elwha River most of the pools (including ELJ pools) were filled after initial sediment runoff in 2012. In addition side channels were mostly filled with sediment. Of the 49 ELJ's in the 2013 evaluation, three had washed out by 2007. Six were added in 2013 after the 2012 sediment flush. Therefore, 37 ELJ's could be impacted by sediment release. By October 2013 observations found 35 pools substantially filled with sediment, and post sediment flush pool scour had occurred at only two pools. There was also some scour in the side channels. An extensive new first flat depositional surface had formed by 2013 that had extensive small wood accumulation along the edges along RM 2.5. Where the stream is narrow, post sediment flux scour is keeping the thalweg and scour pool under two ELJ's open (10-1 and 10-2). Sediment filling of the 35 pools causes there to be little to no summer refugia. Sedimentation occurred to the mouth of Elwha River, where sand, silt, and wood covered a pre-existing cobble beach. Sedimentation is impacting the plant colonization along the entire reach of the Elwha River below the dam. The water supply for the Elwha Tribe water intake, and Elwha Tribe Hatchery as well as the water intake for the City of Port Angeles ware impacted by the sediment flux from the breach.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 75 ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY
Side Channel Design Challenges Richard D. Dyrland Side-channels are a factor on many streams in the survival of salmon/steelhead fry and juveniles. They can provide lower water temperatures during the summer months during reduced stream flow, refuge from flood impacts, and rearing habitat with less risk of predation. To do so, they must be properly designed and built to respond to the characteristics and condition of a particular stream. Side-channels are of two basic types in origin. Those that are excavated in the floodplain and have no river inflow at the head of the channel, and those that are built from remnants of old flood overflow channels and may be connected to the stream at the upper end. Either type needs to be built adjacent to a reach of stream where a supply of groundwater can be intercepted during excavation. It is this inflow of groundwater that makes an effective side-channel. Water levels in a side-channel can drop substantially, it is important to know enough about the stream reach and particularly where the outlet of the channel will be, in order to determine how deep the channel must be excavated to insure adequate depth during the summer. Placement of cover materials such as logs and Christmas trees (surface and subsurface) must be related to the channel water level in summer, if not, much of it will be “high & dry” and ineffective. The mix of plant species for channel bank re-vegetation needs to taken into account as well as the soil site characteristics. Also important is the risk of damage or loss due to beavers and flood flow. And, in some cases the vegetation can be a people safety buffer by helping prevent children as well as adults from slipping into the side-channel if it is located near a community park area.
Reach Scale Floodplain Reconnection and Enhancement: Achieving the Objectives of the Columbia River BiOp Tracy Drury, John Gaffney Floodplain reconnection and enhancement opportunities within the Methow River between Winthrop and Twisp, Washington, encompassed the recent, historic floodplain and included side channels, wetlands, and disconnected aquatic habitats. Phase I implementation was completed in 2013 and 2014, and preliminary monitoring results have shown over a 100% increase in ESA-listed juvenile fish use within the reach. Alternatives evaluation began in 2010 and a comprehensive evaluation matrix was developed to compare biological and geomorphic benefits of each alternative. Other factors included benefit/cost, landowner participation, and accessibility. This process ensured specific, targeted biological benefits and a self-sustainable design that would focus on working with natural processes. Two segments of the Middle Methow River were targeted for Phase I implementation based on the presence of available floodplain, side channels, alcoves, and disconnected habitats. Although the two sites appeared similar in planform and shared many objectives, including increasing connectivity and complexity of existing side channels, improving riparian conditions, and enhancing floodplain connectivity, they were quite different in process: one channel was contracting and went dry during the summer low flow period, while the other was expanding and countermeasures had been taken to impede avulsion. Therefore, the design analyses evaluated differing critical parameters when determining an appropriate, sustainable design. Collectively, the sites enhanced habitat along more than 3,500 feet of mainstem and 3,000 feet of side channel, removed 900 feet of levee, placed more than 2,000 pieces of large woody material (including more than 30 ELJs), reconnected several acres of off-channel wetlands, and planted thousands of riparian trees and shrubs. Levees previously contained the 10-year flow event and removal has resulted in floodplain connectivity at the 2-year return period. New culverts through an existing roadway reconnected valuable alcove and wetland habitat, and ESA-listed juvenile salmonids have flocked to these habitats during spring run-off flows.
76 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY
Restoring Aquatic Habitat to Preserve Warm Springs Tribal Treaty Rights Session Chair: Scott Turo | Warm Springs Tribes
Strategic Plan to Focus Restoration Investment in the John Day Basin Amy Charette, Scott Turo, Brian R. Cochran The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon John Day Watershed Restoration Program has a long history of working on public and private lands for watershed conservation and restoration actions in the John Day Basin. This Program strives to ensure the integrity and health of aquatic ecosystems so that these watersheds support healthy, self-sustaining populations of culturally important aquatic species, including Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, bull trout, and Pacific lamprey. Through collaboration with multiple private, state and federal entities, implementation of this voluntary Program focuses on improving fish passage, fish habitat, water quantity, and water quality in an ecosystem context. Over time, project funding is in higher and higher demand with more and more proposed projects. The Tribes recognize that a strategic approach to project selection is critical to facilitate the appropriate and responsible allocation of funding, while ensuring a prioritized, benefit-oriented restoration program. The Watershed Restoration Program Strategy continues the Tribes’ conservation and restoration efforts in the John Day Basin through strong and lasting partnerships with multiple private, state and federal entities. This Strategy is designed to proactively identify and select conservation and restoration projects based on the fish benefit and specific needs of the watershed and communities. The following goals will serve to target and evaluate Strategy success: Maintain and enhance Treaty-protected resources for the Tribal membership, Promote fish populations with quality projects that enhance watershed health, Implement projects with “common ground” for both communities and resources using a transparent project evaluation process, Develop and maintain strong partnerships throughout the John Day Watershed, and Continually utilize past, present, and future watershed knowledge through the Scientific and Stakeholder Technical Advisory Committees to guide strategic restoration.
Management of Conservation Properties for Salmonid Recovery in the Upper John Day River Basin Brian R. Cochran, Scott Turo The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon acquired about 5,000 acres of critical salmonid habitat in the upper John Day River Basin in 2001 and 2002. These properties help protect spawning and rearing salmonids, which are vital resources to the tribal membership. The Tribes’ Fisheries Department has used a “protect, manage, and restore” conservation philosophy to quickly maximize habitat for fish recovery and production, while continuing elements of an agricultural working landscape. These three parcels are the Oxbow and Forrest Conservation Areas, with eight miles of along the Middle Fork John Day River, and about 1.7 miles on the mainstem John Day River. These properties have long histories of habitat degradation, including overgrazing, dredge mining, stream channelization, and de-forestation. Together, these properties showcase restoration of aquatic ecosystems in harmony with continued cattle grazing. Tribal management has focused on land practices such as weed control, water conservation, restoration projects, and monitoring. Restoration projects include the $5 million Oxbow Dredge Mining Restoration involving two miles of river treatments and 60,000 cubic yards of earthwork to reset the floodplain. These properties have long-term funding from Bonneville Power Administration, and the Tribes seek other funding sources when needed for larger restoration actions. The Tribes have experienced over 14 years of passive and active restoration, protection, and continued grazing management on these properties. As some restoration work nears completion, the Tribes look to apply this land ownership and management approach on future properties with high fish habitat recovery potential.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 77 ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY
Aquatic Habitat Restoration on the Warm Springs Reservation Scott Turo, Jason Grant The Warm Springs Indian Reservation encompasses 1,000 square miles of the lower Deschutes River Basin downstream of the Pelton-Round Butte Hydroelectric Project. These lands extend from the basalt-lined canyon of the Deschutes River to the crest of the Cascades Mountains, and are widely recognized as one of the last strongholds for wild salmonids in the Columbia River Basin. The Tribal Fish Habitat Program operates through a “Protect, Manage and Restore” conservation philosophy to ensure these aquatic resources are available to tribal members at harvestable levels in perpetuity. An extensive network of riparian, wetland, and pasture fences serve to protect critical habitats and passively restore process, function, and connectivity across the landscape. Involvement in land use planning through the Tribe’s Integrated Resource Management Plan helps to ensure that proposed land use actions are compatible and complimentary to this conservation philosophy. Active restoration to restore habitat complexity within the varied geomorphic, hydrologic and ecologic conditions across the landscape is paramount to the sustainability of these resources. In addition, a deep understanding of the biological and social demands of this landscape is essential to the success of this conservation philosophy.
Overview of the 1855 Treaty of Middle Oregon and its Application to Habitat Protection and Restoration Olney Patt The Treaty of 1855 between the Tribes of Middle Oregon and the United States was concluded at a time when the Pacific Northwest—the future states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho—was relatively pristine in terms of fish and wildlife habitat. The substance of that treaty focused on the right to fish, hunt, gather and pasture livestock within the area described as the tribes’ homeland, and at “all usual and accustomed” places. It reserved the Tribes right to practice a way of life perfected over centuries. Impacts to fish habitat began immediately after European contact and escalated as waves of settlers cut trees for building and cleared land for farming. Human impacts to fish habitat continue to this day, including erosion, increased stream temperatures, contamination, and impediments to fish passage. Society’s demands on the landscape increase yearly, needing more timber, more power generation, more water, more acreage, more access to natural areas for hunting, fishing, and recreation. Ultimately, it was the demand for a treaty resource—salmon--that brought the Tribes to the table as stakeholders in discussions of habitat restoration and protection. Treaties, as stated in the United States Constitution, make up the “supreme law of the land.” From that foundation, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (CTWS) contend that any action affecting treaty resources requires consultation with the tribes. The CTWS, by virtue of its government-to-government relationship with the United States, participates in many processes related to salmon and salmon habitat, including the Columbia River Hydropower Bi-Op, the Northwest Power and Conservation Council’s fish and wildlife program, US v OR, the Pacific Salmon Treaty, the Columbia River Treaty, and the Pacific Fisheries Management Council.
Restoration Seed Material Contributed Session Session Chair: Ed Kleiner | Comstock Seed
Scaling Up Requires Modifying Equipment and Techniques at a Regional Native Seed Center Tel Vaughn Prairie restoration in the South Puget Sound has been a long collaborative effort by many state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations. Recent federal listings of three prairie species, as well as increased support from the Department of Defense have bolstered these efforts. Over the past ten years, the Center for Natural Lands Management, with the ongoing support of regional partners, has built a nursery program to
78 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY produce, process and distribute hundreds of pounds of native prairie seed. With the development of a second and third seed farm this will grow to thousands of pounds in the very near future. The conservation nursery program began as a backyard venture by a dedicated team of volunteers that are still very active with the program today. Many of the original methods and tools for cleaning seed developed by the volunteers such as hand screens, brushes, plates, cloth, lace and light breaths are still in use today. As seed quantity increased, cleaning has necessarily become more mechanical and required more specialized equipment. This has brought new challenges as traditional seed equipment was not developed for native seed. Repurposing, modifying and inventing are all integral tasks when operating a successful native seed center. This presentation will explore the various techniques, equipment and ingenuities employed in native seed processing by the Center for Natural Lands Management as they have grown from weekend wild collections to a multi-farm operation. Successes, failures and ideas for future growth will be discussed.
Sourcing Native Plant Materials through the Willamette Valley Native Plant Materials Partnership Jenny Getty The Willamette Valley Native Plant Materials Partnership was launched in 2012 through a grant from the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board. The WVNPMP is a diverse partnership of 25 organizations dedicated to increasing the availability and affordability of genetically diverse and ecologically appropriate native plant materials for use in the Willamette Valley ecoregion, helping to stabilize and support the local native seed marketplace, and providing a foundation for successful restoration and healthy, thriving native ecosystems. Founding partners include federal, state, and local agencies as well as non-profits, land trusts, watershed councils, and local plant materials producers. There is already an established native plant materials industry in the Willamette Valley with production of some species that is sufficient to meet restoration needs. However, there remains a large number of important restoration species with restricted availability due to high cost, unstable demand, or difficult production. The Partnership has initially chosen species for contract production that 1) are in the most demand for prairie restoration, 2) are not already in widespread production, and 3) would be beneficial for improved genetic diversity over what is already available. Later, species for other habitats and those planted for diversity and wildlife will be added. Challenges to choosing species have included differing levels of demand for various species among partners, concern with appropriate seed transfer zones, finding sufficient seed collection sites, and difficult production logistics for some highly desired species. In 2013 the first two species were collected and entered into production. In 2014, continued wild collections of 10-15 species will occur, and of these, 3-5 new species will be placed in commercial production in the fall.
Generalized Provisional Seed Zones for Native Plants Andrew Bower, Brad St. Clair, Vicky Erickson Deploying well-adapted and ecologically appropriate plant materials is a core component of successful restoration projects. We have developed generalized provisional seed zones that can be applied to any plant species in the United States to help guide seed movement. These seed zones are based on the intersection of high resolution climatic data for winter minimum temperature and aridity (as measured by annual heat:moisture index), each classified into discrete bands. This results in the delineation of 64 provisional seed zones for the continental United States. These zones represent areas of relative climatic similarity, and movement of seed within these zones should help to minimize maladaptation. Superimposing Omernik’s level III ecoregions over these seed zones distinguishes areas that are similar climatically yet different ecologically. A quantitative comparison of provisional seed zones with level III ecoregions and provisional seed zones within ecoregions for three species showed that provisional seed zone within ecoregion often explained the greatest proportion of variation in a suite of traits potentially related to plant fitness. These provisional seed zones can be considered a starting point for guidelines for seed transfer, and should be utilized in conjunction with appropriate species- specific information as well as local knowledge of microsite differences.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 79 ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY
Holistic Prairie Restoration: Using Novel Tools and Partnerships to Restore Whole Ecosystems Session Chair: Tom Kaye | Institute for Applied Ecology
Collaborative Restoration of Rare Species: Golden Paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) and Taylor's Checkerspot (Euphydryas editha taylori) Peter W. Dunwiddie, Nathan L. Haan, Jonathan D. Bakker, Mary Linders The occurrence of multiple rare species in the same habitat presents both opportunities and challenges. Golden paintbrush (“GP”) (federally Threatened: 1997) and Taylor’s checkerspot (“TC”) (federally Endangered: 2013) historically occurred in lowland prairies in the Pacific Northwest, and currently co-occur at sites undergoing restoration. Actions to recover viable GP populations began over 15 years ago, and have included nursery production of seeds and plugs, sowing or outplanting into suitable sites, controlling invasive species, reducing herbivory, burning to enhance seed establishment, and increasing the diversity of native prairie plants. These actions have greatly increased the viability of wild populations and established many new populations. Actions to establish viable TC populations began more recently, and involve similar strategies to enhance habitat quality, focusing on creating concentrations of known larval host plants, abundant nectar sources, and appropriate habitat structure. Captive rearing of larvae and subsequent release into newly enhanced habitat have also been important components of recovery. We describe strategies taken to reduce risks and enhance synergies in recovery efforts for both species. Researchers and land managers are increasingly collaborating to build on each other’s work and seek solutions where recovery strategies conflict. For example, planting of known TC host plants, such as Castilleja hispida and Plantago lanceolata, can potentially compromise GP recovery efforts, as C. hispida can hybridize with GP, and P. lanceolata is an invasive, non-native species. Prescribed fires and herbicide applications to enhance sites for GP can, in turn, jeopardize TC recovery without careful consideration of location, size, and frequency of treatments. “No-regrets” actions, such as planting diverse assemblages of native species across diverse microsites, have been emphasized where there are uncertainties about what constitutes appropriate habitat. Collaboration has increased the likelihood of successfully recovering both species.
Practical Guidelines for Wetland Prairie Restoration in the Willamette Valley, Oregon - Field-Tested Methods and Techniques Jeff Krueger, Trevor Taylor Once an abundant ecosystem within the Willamette Valley of Oregon, native wetland prairies have declined dramatically in extent since the mid-1800s due to a variety of factors including agricultural conversion, urbanization, drainage, and colonization by invasive and woody vegetation. Today, wetland prairie habitat is regarded as one of the most imperiled in the Willamette Valley ecoregion, with less than 2% of its historic range remaining. However, some noteworthy progress toward protecting and restoring wetland prairies has occurred over the past two decades. This has included numerous large scale restoration projects, with the quality of results improving dramatically over time in terms of native cover, diversity, and resilience. The primary goals of our project are to continue to improve the long-term viability and success of wetland prairie restoration efforts through innovations in design and implementation and to document and share these lessons with a broad audience in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere in the nation. With funding assistance provided by an EPA Wetland Program Development Grant, we assembled a team of experts with extensive expertise in wetland prairie restoration and management and are compiling lessons learned. In addition, we have conducted a series of replicated field experiments to test the effectiveness of various site preparation and management techniques
80 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY and have made valuable findings. We are now consolidating the best methodologies for each phase of the restoration process and disseminating this information through a variety of methods including development of a user-friendly guide and web based platform, presentations, and field trainings. This presentation will include a summary of this work and an overview of the recommended steps of the restoration process, using the successful Coyote Prairie restoration project in Eugene, Oregon as an example.
Compatibility of Restoring Streaked Horned Lark and Native Prairie Habitat Hannah Anderson, Bob Altman, Bill Kronland, Adrian Wolf Prairie habitats in western Oregon and Washington are one of the rarest in North America. There is little high quality habitat remaining, less than 3%, and the majority of that is severely degraded. The fragments of prairie habitat that remain host a wide number of rare species, including nine federally listed species. One of the most recently listed species is the streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata). Larks use grasslands that consist of short, sparse vegetation, a high percent cover of bare ground, and are situated within relatively large herbaceous-dominated landscapes. A large-scale collaborative effort is underway to restore prairie habitats and recover converted agricultural lands in the region. To get the most conservation value out of the restoration, objectives that address multiple species is often a preferred strategy. However, in some parts of the species range, general prairie restoration objectives may be in conflict with the habitat conditions selected by larks, especially their need for bare or sparsely vegetated ground. Although it may be difficult in some areas to achieve high quality prairie habitat conditions as well as streaked horned lark habitat on the same piece of ground, there are multiple approaches to achieving both objectives in the same project area. We will present examples of restoration actions in South Puget Sound that achieve both objectives, as well as present strategies currently being evaluated to produce high quality lark habitat with the context of prairie restoration in the Willamette Valley.
Managing Restored Wetland Prairies for Native Diversity and Resistance to Invasion: An Experiment Comparing Burning, Grazing, Haying and Mowing as Management Treatments Thomas N. Kaye, Sarah Bois, Andrea Thorpe, Amanda Stanley, Jeff Krueger, Trevor Taylor, Diane Steeck Less than 1% of the Willamette Valley’s historic wetland prairies are still intact, and extensive efforts are underway to restore this ecosystem on mitigation sites, easements, and public and private lands. Once native vegetation has been restored to a site, continued management is needed to maintain native plant abundance and diversity. But there appears to be a trade-off between maximizing native cover (of a few dominant grasses like tufted hairgrass) and maximizing native diversity, and the question of how these two aspects of a native vegetation affect the vulnerability of the community to invasion by weeds remains open. We compared four management treatments, burning, grazing with sheep, haying and mowing with controls in a restored prairie to evaluate their effects on community dominance, diversity and invasibility. Treatments were applied to 15 x 15 m plots, each replicated ten times for a total of 50 plots (including controls) at Coyote Prairie, a site owned and managed by the City of Eugene. We sampled the vegetation prior to treatments in 2010 and again two years after treatment in 2013. We examined community invasibility by seeding with common weed species into four 10 x 200 mm strips in each plot in 2010 just before treatments and again in 2012 after treatments. Diversity was strongly negatively correlated with abundance of tufted hairgrass, the community dominant. Invasion success by seeded weed species declined with diversity and tufted hairgrass abundance (in 2011), suggesting that both dominance and diversity of the community can control invasibility. Burning maintained native diversity and perennial forb abundance and reduced dominance by tufted hairgrass better than the other treatments, while tufted hairgrass dominance increased in the mow, hay, and grazed treatments. Burning was overall a successful management treatment, but because it can create a window of opportunity for invasion, managers should take steps to control weeds especially in the year after a burn.
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Re-establishing Big Sagebrush – Integration of Planting Stock to Leverage Restoration Success Session Chair: John Sloan | USFS
Restoring Shrub-steppe after Wildfire: Shrub Planting as a Viable Tool in Habitat Rehabilitation Heidi Newsome The Hanford Reach National Monument was established in June 2000, in part to preserve one of the last large expanses of shrub-steppe desert once common in the Columbia River Basin. However, designation of the area for conservation has not eliminated the threats to this ecosystem. Repeated wildfires and the pervasive presence of non-native plants have combined to impact the quality and functionality of the land as wildlife habitat. Efforts to assess the impacts from wildfires and to stabilize and rehabilitate burned areas have been conducted. We evaluated the performance (survival, health) and economic costs of container and bare-root stock based on operational plantings of more than 1.5 million seedlings across 2,200 ha. Plantings occurred between 2001 and 2007, and included 12 combinations of stock type, planting amendment, and planting year. We monitored 10,500 plants for up to 8 yr after planting. Survival to Year 3 averaged 21% and was higher for container stock (30%) than bare-root stock (17%). Survival did not differ among container stock plantings, whereas survival of bare-root stock was sometimes enhanced by a hydrogel dip before planting, but not by mycorrhizal amendments. Most mortality occurred during the first year after planting; this period is the greatest barrier to establishment of sagebrush stock. The proportion of healthy stock in Year 1 was positively related to subsequent survival to Year 3. Costs were minimized, and survival maximized, by planting container stock or bare-root stock with a hydrogel dip. Our results indicate that outplanting is an ecologically and economically effective way of establishing Wyoming big sagebrush. Potential implications for management of sagebrush obligate species are also discussed.
Using Volunteers to Reestablish Big Sagebrush Michael Young Planting seedlings of big sagebrush and other shrubs on burned areas can contribute to recovery of the plant community and provide habitat for big game, sage-grouse and hundreds of other organisms. Idaho Fish and Game volunteers have planted nearly one million shrub seedlings over the last 25 years. The cycle begins by collecting local seed sources. Thousands of pounds of big sagebrush seed, for example, are collected every fall. Bareroot seedlings are grown at the Lucky Peak Nursery for specific planting sites. Seedlings are outplanted in spring. Experienced volunteers provide training and supervision to assure that plants are handled and planted properly. In addition, volunteers assist in monitoring planting projects to provide feedback on success of planting methods and planting stock. Volunteers are key to the success of this program and similar programs around the state.
The Use of Seed Transfer Zones in the Procurement and Application of Native Plant Material in the Bureau of Land Management Paul Krabacher The procurement of sagebrush seed by the Bureau of Land Management has historically relied upon the selection of seed from source locations related to offers from vendors. The sagebrush seed buy in 2013 initiated source preferred procurement based on provisional seed transfer zones developed by the US Forest Service. Project locations guided seed transfer zone identification. Seed transfer zones were then incorporated into the procurement specifications for low, black, Xeric, and the three big sagebrush subspecies. Over 113,000 pounds
82 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY of sagebrush seed was purchased covering 6 seed transfer zones in 5 states. The BLM is assessing specifications in future bids to include empirical seed transfer zones that have been established for other species of interest.
Big Sagebrush in a Changing Climate Context: Effects of Ecotype and Climate Variability on Success of Sagebrush Seedlings Martha Brabec, Matthew J. Germino, Bryce A. Richardson, Brynne Lazarus, Jess Van der Veen The loss of big sagebrush due to wildfire has motivated efforts to restore it through seeding or planting. A major obstacle associated with seeding big sagebrush is obtaining the appropriate taxonomic identity of seed sources from adapted sites as big sagebrush is a genetically diverse species that shows high diversity in its response to surrounding climate. Three subspecies are widely recognized; Mountain, Basin, and Wyoming. Wyoming sagebrush is universally tetraploid and Mountain and Basin subspecies are often diploid, but tetraploid populations can occur. Data suggests that cytotype is as important a factor in explaining functional diversity as subspecies; and polyploidy and inter- and intraspecific hybridization are likely to be important mechanisms in big sagebrush adaptation and landscape dominance. A number of sagebrush common-garden studies have been conducted and revealed key ways that adult sagebrush differ by subspecies and cytotype, particularly in climate response. However, little is known about climate responses of seedlings during the initial establishment phase. To assess differences in climate responsiveness among sagebrush seedling, we evaluated eleven different seed sources of big sagebrush from all three subspecies, dissimilar climates of origin, and different ploidy levels at Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. A suite of dependent variables were measured; including survival, growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, water-use efficiency, and freezing resistance and tolerance. Preliminary results suggest that freezing tolerance and resistance differs among cytotypes and may be an important factor in seedling survival. Exposure to cold temperatures in May resulted in higher probabilities of mortality in diploid basin sagebrush and Wyoming big sagebrush. Tetraploid basin and mountain populations demonstrated higher survival rates relative to their diploid counterparts, providing further evidence ploidy level influences seedling stress response. These findings indicate the importance of understanding climate responses of different subspecies and cytotypes when establishing seed zones for big sagebrush restoration.
Stream Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Frank Reckendorf | Reckendorf & Associates
Accretion Parameters of an Oregon Marsh after Dike Removal Catherine de Rivera, Martin Lafrenz, Sarah Eppley, Vanessa Robertson-Rojas Plant-soil feedbacks affect accretion and the trajectory of a marsh so are important to habitat restoration, yet have been minimally explored after hydrological disturbance such as dike removal. Previous studies have demonstrated that a variety of factors --root depth, plant height, below and aboveground percent cover, plant diversity, and C4 or C3 photosynthetic pathways of plants-- are important to the marsh accretion process. Estuarine systems that have experience altered hydrology change greatly in their functionality, which is investigated here through the listed soil and vegetative parameters that promote accretion in Bandon National Wildlife Refuge. This case study, which compares the marsh created from dike removal to a natural one, demonstrates the multifaceted nature of plant and soil conditions 2 years after dike removal. All measured accretion parameters were found to differ significantly between previously diked and reference marshes that differ in anthropogenically created hydrology barriers. The impacts of dike removal give greater insight to potential marsh behavior under predicted conditions of global sea level rise.
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Initial Response of Riparian Vegetation Downstream of Dam Removal on the Elwha River, Washington Erin Cubley, Rebecca Brown Riparian zones, the interfaces between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems provide numerous ecosystem functions such as wildlife habitat, erosion control, nutrient and energy stores, and the buffering of sediment and runoff pollutants. Worldwide, riparian ecosystems are threatened by a variety of human-induced disturbances including climate change, development, invasive species, and flow alteration by dams. Dam removal is becoming more prevalent for economic, safety, and ecological reasons and is predicted to restore natural flow and sediment regimes to riparian ecosystems which could increase substrate heterogeneity and seed dispersal through water, hydrochory, increasing vegetation species richness downstream. The largest dam removal to date is on the Elwha River, Washington with the Elwha and Glines Canyon dams. Our objective was to determine vegetation and substrate responses in the riparian zone following dam removal. We sampled vegetation in plots above, between, and below the two dams pre- (2010) and post- (2013-2014) dam removal to determine vegetation species richness. We hypothesized that species richness would increase between and below the two dams following dam removal and that the release of large quantities of sediment from the reservoirs would create new surfaces for vegetation establishment. Before dam removal, species richness was significantly lower in the reaches between and below the two dams. Contrary to our prediction that species richness would increase following dam removal, initial results show that species richness did not significantly change from 2010 to 2013. We documented the creation of new substrates on low surfaces in the downstream reaches, and an increase in young geomorphic surfaces. It may take years or decades for species richness to respond to the restoration of the natural flow regime, seed dispersal through hydrochory, and soil development on new substrates. Long-term monitoring will shed light on possible successional trajectories of riparian vegetation following the removal of these dams.
Contrasting Restoration Histories of Fluviodeltaic Systems of the Williamson and Wood Rivers, Upper Klamath Basin Michael Hughes, David Thaemert, Daniel King This paper compares and contrasts the management and restoration of fluviodeltaic systems of the Wood and Williamson Rivers, two main tributaries to Upper Klamath Lake, and discusses the implications of these projects for the treatment of similar systems in the local area and region. Both systems support critical habitat for the endangered Lost River and shortnose sucker, which are thought to rely on fluviodeltaic wetland habitats, especially for larval rearing and adult recruitment. Both systems were also diked, drained, and converted to cattle pastures in the mid-20th century. These activities have caused both systems to subside as organic-rich soils have dried, oxidized, and decomposed. The primary difference in the recent management and restoration of the two systems has been the way in which river-wetland interactions have been treated. On the Wood River, the channel system has been restored apart from the extensive wetland complex to which it was once connected. Distributary channels once abandoned were excavated and reoccupied, thereby extending channel habitat through the delta and enhancing river-wetland interactions in adjacent areas. On the other side of the main levee the extensive disconnected wetlands have been effectively managed as a treatment wetland. On the Williamson River, the fluviodeltaic wetlands have been reconnected to the river channel and/or submerged by lake water through levee breaching. Some wetland areas appear to be permanently converted to open-water habitat, while others appear to have enhanced connection to the river channel. Although contextualized by some observers as either “good” or “bad” for ecological restoration, these projects generally appear to have improved conditions for local floral, faunal, and human communities while also contributing to the restoration of Upper Klamath Lake ecosystem. Likewise, neither project has been a total success and both have been benefited from ongoing adaptive management.
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Using Wood for Habitat and Stabilization in Geomorphic Stream Design - Case Studies Russ Lawrence This presentation will discuss the effective application of wood in habitat development and stabilization in a variety of projects. The discussion will address techniques that have worked well as well as applications that have not met goals and objectives. More than 6 projects will be referenced.
Ecological Approach to Flood Hazard Reduction and Associated Floodplain Restoration along Urbanized Streams Session Chair: Tom Hesseldenz | Tom Hesseldenz and Associates
Anadromous Fisheries Overview and Restoration Efforts in the Klamath Basin of Northern California and Southern Oregon Don Flickinger The 16,000 square mile Klamath River watershed drains portions of three counties in southern Oregon and five counties in northern California. The broad northeastern portion of the watershed lies within the Great Basin, the narrow central portion lies within the Cascades, and the broad southwestern portion lies within the Klamath Mountains. As such, this watershed, also known as the Klamath Basin, hosts considerable ecological diversity. Anadromous fish species within the watershed include Chinook, Coho and chum salmon, steelhead trout, coastal cutthroat trout, green and white sturgeon, lamprey, and eulachon (candlefish). Of these species, Coho salmon are listed as Threatened and most others are listed as Species of Special Concern. Habitat alterations leading to population declines of these species include dam construction, surface water diversions, gold dredging, wetland draining, over-grazing, beaver trapping, and climate change. The largest restoration effort being initiated is the proposed removal of four large dams along the central Klamath River. Dam removal will restore anadromous fish passage to over 400 miles of historical habitat, and will be the largest project of its kind in the world to date. Other restoration efforts include instream water rights leasing/acquisition, channel and floodplain restoration, water quality improvements, re-establishment of beavers, and eradication of exotic species. Extensive floodplain widening using large earth-moving equipment has been initiated as a restoration method on portions of the Scott River, Greenhorn Creek, and Yreka Creek, all of which were altered by past large-scale gold dredging. Numerous federal, state, and local agencies, Tribes, private organizations, and landowners are working together in broad partnerships to undertake the varied restoration efforts currently underway in the Klamath Basin.
Use of GIS methodologies in master planning within the Yreka Creek sub-watershed of the Klamath Basin Dave LaPlante Planning in the 120 square mile Yreka Creek sub-watershed of the Klamath Basin began in the late 1980s when a partnership group comprised of representatives from the City of Yreka, various state and federal agencies, and the local community embarked on the development of the Yreka Creek Greenway. A master plan was completed in 1990, followed by an update in 2005. An initial floodplain restoration plan for a portion of Greenhorn Creek, which is a tributary of Yreka Creek, was also completed in 2005, and subsequent detailed restoration plans for portions of Greenhorn and Yreka Creeks were completed in subsequent years. Planning has included stream surveys, level 4 instream habitat mapping, geomorphology assessments, hydrologic and sediment modeling, a stormwater assessment, and various forms of imaging including photogrammetry and LiDAR mapping. Results of these studies and planning and design efforts were all incorporated into a comprehensive GIS database, which was then used to produce outputs that were needed for further modeling, planning and design. The GIS
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 85 ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY database has also been used to model economic impacts of flooding, which was then used to help obtain a $5 million grant from the State of California for a “non-structural” (ecological) flood hazard reduction project along Yreka Creek. The GIS database for Yreka Creek watershed will also be used as an MS4 watershed plan under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Program required under the Clean Water Act. High- resolution mapping of existing urban infrastructure such as streets and utilities will be included in the database. Finally, the GIS database will be used to prepare a revised FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the City of Yreka, based on the success of substantially reducing flooding in the City through ecological restoration methods.
Floodplain Widening along Incised Urban Streams as an Integrated Approach to Achieving Ecological Restoration and Other Benefits Tom Hesseldenz Cities are often located in active floodplains. Traditional methods of reducing flood hazards have consisted of structural solutions such as levees, revetments, channelization, and upstream dams and diversions. While these solutions have worked to varying degrees, they have also reduced the ecological health of affected streams. Urbanized streams also tend to become highly incised due to increased hydraulics from loss of floodplain access and increased peak flows. Ecological approaches to urban stream restoration are limited by the inability to raise or re-route streams to re-access historic floodplains due the extent of adjacent development. A different ecological approach has been developed in the City of Yreka, California, that consists of lowering the banks along deeply incised channels to create new accessible floodplains close to existing stream levels. Modeling has shown that this approach can potentially contain up to 100-year or larger flood events within the newly-created floodways, and can also satisfy geomorphological requirements for healthy channels and floodplains. Once floodplain function has been restored, instream and riparian restoration can also be achieved. In Yreka, this approach has been implemented along 1 mile of streams to date, and funding has been obtained for 2 more miles. Changes to adjacent development are being kept to a reasonable level, and spoils from floodplain widening are being used nearby to raise building pads in backwater flood zones. The new floodways will double as greenways through the city that will include paved multi-use trails and various interpretive facilities.
Energy Mitigation - From Policy to Restoration Opportunity Session Chair: Anne Halford | USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office
BLM Regional Mitigation Policy and Implementation of DOI Secretarial Order 3330 Jason Sutter The concept of mitigation is an essential element in how the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) manage the lands and resources under their jurisdiction. In 2013, the Secretary of the Interior issued Secretarial Order Number 3330 which called for the development of a DOI-wide mitigation strategy. The five core objectives of the strategy included 1) the use of a landscape-scale approach to identify and facilitate investment in key conservation priorities in a region; 2) early integration of mitigation considerations in project planning and design; 3) ensuring the durability of mitigation measures over time; 4) ensuring transparency and consistency in mitigation decisions; and 5) a focus on mitigation efforts that improve the resiliency of our nation’s resources in the face of climate change. In accordance with the Order, the Secretary published a guidance document in April 2014 that outlines a strategy for improving mitigation policies and practices throughout the DOI. The strategy outlines the key principles and actions necessary to successfully shift from project-by-project management of the lands and resources for which the Department is responsible. Concurrently, the BLM prepared Draft -Regional Mitigation MS-1794 which provides interim policy for adopting
86 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY a regional approach to mitigating impacts from actions authorized by the BLM. The BLM’s Regional Mitigation Policy provides for a proactive, landscape-scale approach to implementing offsite mitigation, and entails anticipating future offsite mitigation needs and strategically preplanning mitigation sites, projects, and measures, rather than managing offsite mitigation on a permit-by-permit basis. The BLM continues to forge ahead with finalizing Regional Mitigation MS-1794, developing additional tools and guides, incorporating policy into program-specific guidance, developing additional training and outreach material, and incorporating the Policy into ongoing projects and Resource Management Plans in commitment to the DOI Mitigation Strategy and its own Regional Mitigation Policy.
Challenges a Utility Faces When Developing a Mitigation Plan for Long Linear Transmission Line Construction Projects Stacey Baczkowski A number of challenges are faced by a utility company when developing a comprehensive mitigation plan for a linear transmission project. Idaho Power has experienced this with the Gateway West and Boardman to Hemingway 500-kilovolt transmission line projects. Application of the mitigation hierarchy is relatively straight- forward for avoidance, minimization and restoration of direct impacts. The challenge is primarily with addressing the need for, and determination of, compensatory mitigation. Generally, there are no established side boards that define how impacts will be accessed and the level of mitigation needed to offset these impacts. State and Federal agencies have different perspectives and processes, which further exacerbate this challenge. The science behind determining impacts and associated mitigation responses is incomplete, yet there is a desire to use best science to determine the outcomes. Mitigation needs, priorities and opportunities have not been developed comprehensively, thus the utility is faced with determining these on their own. The lack of established regional mitigation needs and opportunities and the lack of coordinated federal and state processes adversely affects the ability to implement projects in a timely manner and often result in “one-off” processes to identify and implement mitigation.
Reclamation of the Abandoned Geothermal Exploration Drill Pads, Newberry Volcano, Oregon Bart Wills In 2010 reclamation began of the forested area disturbed 16-years before by the Newberry Geothermal Pilot Project. The project proposed to drill several production geothermal wells and build a 33-MW geothermal power plant. In all, roughly 40-acres of National Forest Lands were disturbed to construct five drill pads immediately outside the boundary of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument special management area. This project was on active BLM geothermal energy leases which the Forest Service maintained surface management. In 1996, after the completion of two production and two exploration drill holes, the project was abandoned because no hydrothermal fluid was discovered. The reclamation consisted of recontouring the drill pads to allow for suitable drainage to prevent erosion, properly backfilling the drill sumps, and revegetation. All reclamation construction was performed on a time and equipment type basis with regular oversight and monitoring by the Forest Service. Since no native soils were stockpiled on the drill pads when originally constructed; soil was produced from available fine material found at each site by mechanical sieving. The earthwork part of the reclamation was completed in 2011. Revegetation consisted of planting two-year seedling lodgepole trees in 2013.
The Lower Owens River Project - Lessons Learned in the First 8 Years David W. Martin The Lower Owens River Project (LORP) was originally identified in a 1991 agreement between Inyo County and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The project was identified as mitigation for impacts related to
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 87 ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY groundwater pumping by LADWP from 1970 to 1990. The project description and goals were augmented in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by LADWP, Inyo County, and other parties in 1997. The LORP involves four primary restoration efforts: (1) releasing water to the Lower Owens River to enhance native and game fisheries and riparian habitats along 62 miles of the river; (2) providing water to the Owens River Delta to maintain and enhance various wetland and aquatic habitats; (3) enhancing a 1,500-acre off-river area with seasonal flooding and land management to benefit wetlands and waterfowl; and (4) maintaining several off- river lakes and ponds. The project also includes construction of a pump station to capture and recover some of the water released to the river. In addition, the project includes range improvements and modified grazing practices on leases in the LORP project area. Flows in the project commenced in 2006. In 2007 a court stipulation established a static baseflow that has resulted in no variability in low flows through the river. Several consecutive drought years have limited the seasonal habitat flows. Consequently, many sections of the river channel have become blocked by aquatic vegetation that may affect the long term success of the project.
Forest Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Lauren Urgenson | University of Washington
Partnering Local Research and Collaborative Restoration in Mixed-conifer Forests in Central Oregon Andrew G. Merschel, Pete Caligiuri The Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project (DCFP), is a community-led framework that allows stakeholders and partners to come together to build a common understanding and shared vision for landscape-scale forest restoration recommendations on the Deschutes National Forest. Mixed conifer forests are the focus the DCFP’s Restoration Planning Sub-committee’s work in 2014/2015. Restoration of mixed-conifer forests is challenging due to historical variability in structure, composition, and function associated with climate, topography, and historical disturbance regime. Given this inherent complexity, the DCFP is working in partnership with The Nature Conservancy, the USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station, the Deschutes National Forest, and Oregon State University Forest to develop locally based science to better characterize the ecology of these complex forest types, their historical and current structure and composition, and the underlying disturbance processes (fire) that shape their development over time. Research is currently being conducted southwest of Bend, Oregon in the Kew and Lex project areas. The study area is 35,000 acres and represents the diverse forest types, topographic positions, climatic conditions, and past management and disturbance histories that characterize Central Oregon. The multiple combinations of biophysical setting allow analysis of how composition, structure, and fire regimes historically varied with environmental setting and landscape context. Results will be directly applicable to DCFP stakeholders and the Deschutes National Forest in the development of a common understanding of the ecology and restoration potential across mixed conifer forest types on the Deschutes National Forest. We will describe how collaborative stakeholders have been involved in the research process, how they are using the data collected, and the strengths and challenges of this unique partnership. In addition we will present preliminary results describing historical structure and composition and spatial and temporal variation in historical fire regimes.
A New Approach to Evaluate Forest Structure Restoration Needs across Oregon and Washington, USA Ryan Haugo, Chris Zanger, Thomas DeMeo, Chris Ringo, Ayn Shlisky, Kori Blankenship, Mike Simpson, Kim Mellen-Mclean, Mark Stern, Jane Kertis Widespread habitat degradation and uncharacteristic fire, insect, and disease outbreaks in forests across the western United States have led to calls to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration. In this study we demonstrate a new approach for evaluating where, how much, and what types of restoration are needed to move present day landscapes towards a Natural Range of Variability (NRV) across eastern Washington, eastern
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Oregon, and southwestern Oregon. Washington-Oregon specific datasets are used to assess needed changes in current forest structure by disturbance and/or succession at watershed and regional scales. We identified needed changes in structure on 4.7 million+ ha (40% of all coniferous forests) in order to approximate NRV structure at the landscape scale. Both the overall level and the type of restoration need varied greatly between forested biophysical settings. Regional restoration needs were dominated by the estimated 3.8+ million ha in need of thinning and/or low severity fire in forests historically maintained by frequent low or mixed severity fire (historical Fire Regime Group I and III). However, disturbance alone cannot restore NRV forest structure. We found that time to transition into later development structural classes through successional processes was required on approximately 3.2 million ha (over 65% of the identified restoration needs). On an estimated 2.3 million ha we identified disturbance followed by succession was required to restore NRV forest structure. On the non-reserved portions of US Forest Service lands alone decades will likely be needed to meet restoration needs. Meeting these region-wide restoration needs will require a substantial increase in restoration treatments coordinated among governments, agencies, and landowners.
Holistic Prairie Restoration: Using Novel Tools and Partnerships to Restore Whole Ecosystems 2 Session Chair: Tom Kaye | Institute for Applied Ecology
Effects of Habitat Restoration on Nesting Density of Western Meadowlark Matt Blakeley-Smith Western Meadowlarks and their associated plant communities have steadily declined in the Willamette Valley over the past forty years due to land conversion, natural succession and land management practices. This decline has prompted land managers to initiate prairie habitat restoration projects designed to benefit a suite of sensitive species, including the western meadowlark. This project describes key breeding habitat currently utilized by meadowlarks in Western Oregon. Breeding territories were identified in the field and nest sites were located. After the birds fledged, we quantified the cover of every plant species in the nest area in four, 50-meter square sub-plots. Our study indicates that higher native biodiversity corresponds to a higher density of meadowlarks in a given area. The results of this analysis were then used to design and create approximately 400 acres of new meadowlark habitat. This presentation serves as a practical guide to managing existing habitat for Oregon’s state bird.
Restoration from the Ground Up: Utilizing Mycorrhizae to Enhance Establishment of Native Prairie Plant Species Needed for Endangered Butterfly Recovery Sarah T. Hamman Today, native grasslands are one of the most threatened ecosystems in the United States. Native prairie habitats have been nearly extirpated from the Pacific Northwest and are the most endangered ecosystem in Washington State. Past efforts to restore these landscapes have focused primarily on outplanting containerized seedlings of native plant species important for rare butterflies, an extremely labor- and resource-intensive approach. Long- term survivorship of these plants has been low (10-50%), suggesting that the nursery-raised plants are not well- adapted for harsh prairie conditions (summer drought and low soil nutrients). Mycorrhizal fungi may help to increase drought resistance and nutrient acquisition for outplanted seedlings. In an attempt to determine effectiveness of mycorrhizal inoculation on establishment of nursery-grown plants important for butterfly habitat, we outplanted seedlings of six prairie species at three different restored prairie sites that were either
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 89 ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY inoculated with a ‘native’ mycorrhizal mix, a generic, horticultural mix, or un-inoculated (control). The ‘native’ mycorrhizal mix was cultivated from roots of eight different prairie species from sites with high root colonization and genetically analyzed for mycorrhizal species composition and diversity. First and second year seedlings were monitored for survivability, vigor (plant height, # leaves) and reproductive capacity (number of flowering heads). Plants that received native inoculum had significantly higher survivorship than both the generic and control plants for all species. Effects of mycorrhizal treatment on plant vigor and reproductive capacity varied by species, but most showed no significant difference between treatments. The native mycorrhizal inoculum consisted of a diverse array of species, many of which are not found in horticulturally-produced products. These data suggest that the unique mycorrhizal communities that exist in remnant prairies may provide important long-term benefits to native prairie plants that cannot be acquired through horticultural inoculum.
Effects of Carbon and Nutrient Addition on Prairie Communities and Golden Paintbrush Establishment Caitlin Lawrence, Thomas N. Kaye In the Willamette Valley, 99% of native upland prairies have been lost. This has greatly impacted many species, including Castilleja levisecta (golden paintbrush), a threatened species that was completely extirpated from Oregon. Remaining prairie fragments are further threatened by invasion from non-native species, whose increased success can result from soil nutrient enrichment. Carbon addition can counter these effects by reducing available soil nutrients. This strategy may improve conditions for native species that are often outcompeted by invasives under high nutrient conditions. To test this, we created treatments of varying nutrient availability and measured the responses of the plant community and of C. levisecta. Experimental plots were established with either carbon (sugar) addition, ambient levels of soil nutrients (controls), or nutrient (NPK fertilizer) addition, and plots were seeded with C. levisecta. We conducted plant community surveys and measurements of C. levisecta to determine the effects of nutrient manipulation on the community and on this threatened plant. Mean total plant cover was significantly reduced by carbon addition compared to controls, and increased in nutrient plots. A significant difference was observed in the plant composition of the different treatments (MRPP, p<0.001). The proportion of invasive species cover was lower in carbon addition plots and higher in nutrient addition plots, compared with controls. Some invasive species were found to be highly affected by the nutrient manipulation, while others were not, suggesting that carbon addition may be an effective control for only certain invasive species. C. levisecta emergence was consistently lower in carbon addition plots compared with controls. In nutrient addition plots, emergence rates varied between sites and years. These results suggest that although carbon addition decreased seedling emergence of C. levisecta, it could be useful in the control of invasive plants and prairie restoration.
Restoration of Garry Oak Ecosystems in the Cowichan Valley David F. Polster Garry Oak (Quercus garryana Douglas ex Hook.) ecosystems are one of the rarest ecosystems in Canada. Over 100 listed rare species occur in Garry Oak ecosystems (GOEs). In the Cowichan Valley there are three significant GOEs, each with a suite of rare species. Two of the Cowichan GOEs are classed as deep soil GOEs (Somenos and Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve, CGOP) while the third is a shallow, rocky GOE (Mt Tzuhalem Ecological Reserve, (Tzuhalem)). Restoration activities at these three ecosystems have differed. At all of the GOEs removal of woody alien invasive species has been seen as the highest priority. In addition, without the landscape burning that formerly sustained these ecosystems, removal of some encroaching Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) has been conducted. At the Somenos site over 100,000 native grass and forb seedlings have been planted and larger alien invasive grasses such as Orchardgrass, (Dactylis glomerata L.) have been removed. At CGOP, burning and some herbicide use has been introduced to try to reduce the level of invasive grasses. A substantial amount of research has been conducted at CGOP as well in an attempt to unravel the intricacies of
90 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY these ecosystems. The historic role of First Nations in maintaining these ecosystems over thousands of years is becoming increasingly apparent.
Wildland Seed Harvesting and Agricultural Seed Production and Increase Session Chair: Kayla Herriman | USDA FS Deschutes National Forest Bend Seed Extractory, Bend, Oregon
The Native Plant Materials Development Program Peggy Olwell The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is leading the interagency Native Plant Materials Development Program (NPMDP). Wildland native seed collections and propagation are the foundation of this program. Through partnerships with other Federal agencies, state agencies, academic institutions, botanic gardens, and others, the NPMDP works to research and develop native plant materials needed for restoration after fire, energy development, recreation, and grazing. Currently the NPMDP has three ecoregional programs, which focus on the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert. These ecoregional efforts allow partners to focus on specific species and seed zones as well as threats and issues facing their unique ecosystems. Climate change, wildfire, invasive species and drought are particularly large forces impacting the west, especially the Great Basin, where millions of acres have burned in recent years. The challenges facing America’s native flora are great; however, we can meet the challenges through the cooperative efforts of all our partners in this long-term program to develop genetically appropriate native plant materials on an ecoregional level for restoration of native plant communities.
Challenges to the Seed Industry in an Evolving Market Ed S. Kleiner The author has followed the reclamation markets for thirty years, from a simpler time when traditional pasture grasses and a few introduced and native grasses satisfied commercial concerns for reclamation. Today, the markets are eclectic, and the species list has diversified with an emphasis on restoration and broader ecological goals. Scientists are revealing genetic diversity within our traditional understanding of species' distributions and developing provisional seed zones. (and quite colorful maps) This trend is creating an emerging demand for regional specificity from the seed and plant industry. The author will comment on the supply and demand sides of this market shift and emerging collaborative efforts.
Successful Seed Production of Native Great Basin Wildflowers Clinton C. Shock, Erik B.G. Feibert, Joel Felix, Nancy L. Shaw, Francis F. Kilkenny Native wildflower seed is needed to restore rangelands of the Intermountain West. Commercial seed production is necessary to provide the quantity of seed needed for restoration efforts. Seed growers encounter practical problems in producing native wildflower seed. Applied research is directly addressing seed production constraints. Seed growers need stable and consistent seed productivity over years. Direct seeding of native range plants for seed production in the Intermountain West has been problematic. Fall planting could be important due to vernalization requirements of many species. Succcessful planting methods mitigate the loss of soil moisture, soil crusting, seed and seedling predation, and other factors that otherwise hinder emergence of fall planted seed. Native wildflower seed crops are often not competitive with crop weeds. There is considerable knowledge about the relative efficacy of different herbicides to control target weeds, and our trials are screening the tolerance of native wildflowers to commercial herbicides. Precise and modest irrigation has
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 91 ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY provided seed yield productivity and stability. Seed yield responses to irrigation vary by species and annual precipitation. Only small amounts of irrigation were required for adequate seed yields even in dry years.
Native Forb Seed Production for the Great Basin Successes and Challenges Jerry Erstrom Declines in sagebrush communities and concern for improvement of sage-grouse habitat have triggered a demand for seed of native Great Basin forbs. Producing native forbs in an agricultural setting is generally more difficult than producing native grasses. Cultural practices are just being developed for many of the species proposed for use in restoration. Practices vary widely among species and also within populations of the same species. Germination and establishment characteristics of each species have evolved to permit survival in native habitats and often preclude timely or uniform stand establishment in agricultural settings. Successful production of native forbs requires selection of species adapted to the farm location, appropriate equipment for seeding, harvesting, and cleaning seed of each species, and improved techniques for weed control. This necessitates a greater knowledge of the basic biology of each species, including phenology of seed development, insect pests, and pollinator requirements. Because of the risks involved in producing seed of species new to the restoration market, growers are not willing to begin growing native forbs when they are also faced with marketing uncertainties. Forbs do not form a large proportion of seed mixes, thus demand for material adapted to specific biogeographic regions is low. Fluctuations in wildfires, agency programs, and demand for individual species complicate speculative production. Collaborative planning by users and growers and increased use of contracts could serve to alleviate these problems and improve the availability of needed native forb seed supplies.
Stream Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Michael Hughes | Oregon Institute of Technology
Side Channel Restoration using Large Woody Debris Mike Abbe, Mike (Rocky) Hrachovec, Mike Ericcson As a project partner with the Kittitas Conservation Trust (WA), Natural Systems Design has developed an innovative restoration plan that expands salmon and steelhead spawning and rearing habitat within a two-mile reach of the lower Cle Elum River in northern Kittitas County, WA utilizing large woody debris (LWD)and engineered log jams (ELJ) to activate historic side channels for increased habitat. This project is particularly important because of the collaborative effort between the Kittitas Conservation District and local irrigation district, providing improved fisheries while utilizing annual flow regimes with no adverse impacts to the local irrigation district. The project site is two miles downstream of the Lake Cle Elum Dam where regulated flows have simplified in-stream habitat, eliminated peak winter flows, incised the main- stem channel and decreased the river’s ability to maintain historic side-channel networks. Restoration goals include expansion of anadromous fish populations, including Spring Chinook, Mid-Columbia Steelhead, coho, and sockeye, by increasing in-stream habitat abundance and complexity and refuge from high velocity flows. Restoration will re-engage five miles of relic side channel habitat within the project reach through strategic of LWD and ELJs. In this presentation, NSD staff will present their research and development for the project as well as the construction process and outcomes.
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A Wetland Redelineation Methodology for Large-Scale Projects: The Port of Seattle’s Third Runway Project Case Study Brock Rylander, Margaret Clancy, R.N. Maney The Port of Seattle constructed the Third Runway in 2006 and impacted 18 acres of wetland. As a result, the Port is required to monitor for unanticipated indirect impacts to wetland functions and redelineate the remaining wetlands to determine the extent to which wetland area has changed. In collaboration with the Port of Seattle, Environmental Science Associates (ESA) developed a robust, systematic, and repeatable wetland redelineation methodology that can be used for large-scale projects. A crucial component in developing the redelineation methodology included reviewing baseline data and assumptions, as well as identifying factors that indicated likelihood for wetland area change. Port of Seattle survey crews also installed survey markers along the original wetland boundaries, which were a key aspect in tracking wetland area changes. During spring 2013, ESA conducted the first redelineation of the 51 remaining wetlands in the Miller Creek basin. The 2013 redelineation assessment showed an eleven percent increase in post-project wetland area in the Miller Creek basin from the pre-project baseline. Key factors influencing wetland area change were Third Runway construction activities (additional runway embankment seepage, stormwater pond construction), mitigation installed to compensate for project impacts (structure removal, wetland and buffer enhancement, and stream restoration) and other non-project activities. The basin-scale wetland area increases identified in the 2013 assessment indicate that project activities have not caused adverse indirect impacts to wetland function. Instead, landscape naturalization resulting from mitigation actions such as structure removal and reforestation adjacent to the Third Runway embankment have substantially increased wetland area; promoted the formation of larger, contiguous wetlands; and improved wetland and overall ecological functions including hydrology. The redelineation methodology developed will be the foundation for monitoring wetlands during subsequent redelineations.
Billy’s Pond Off-Channel Habitat Restoration Jeremy Andrews, Sherrie Duncan The Billy’s Pond off-channel habitat restoration project was designed to support aquatic life in the Yakima River floodplain and provide salmonids with complex rearing and foraging habitat. An additional objective of the project was to increase much-needed thermal refugia for rearing and migrating salmonids. The design provides consistently cool waters through hyporheic connectivity to the spring-fed groundwater channels, pond reconfiguration, and shade in the form of riparian vegetation. Billy’s Pond design mimics existing abandoned floodplain side channels and pools of the Yakima River. The project site encompasses an area of approximately 30 acres. The original pond was a manmade, open water feature that resulted from gravel mining during the mid-1960s in the former Spring Creek. Controlled by a concrete weir, outflow from the pond was originally conveyed through a pair of perched culverts under the Greenway Trail to a manmade ditch that flows to a side channel of the Yakima River. Both the weir and culverts were barriers to fish passage. The pond was reconfigured by incorporating new peninsulas to reduce its surface area and by restructuring its banks to provide a complex and diverse shoreline. Habitat complexity was increased by deepening pools, grading long sinuous channels, adding large woody debris, and planting the banks with native riparian vegetation. Substrates in the pond, and the emergent and riparian vegetation will support diverse prey production of aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. The weir and culverts between the reconfigured pond and the Yakima River were removed, and the Greenway Trail was rerouted around the restoration area so that the improved habitat could be reconnected to a side channel of the Yakima River. Lastly, the new trail alignment incorporates pullouts at scenic viewpoints overlooking the restoration area.
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Sagebrush Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: John Sloan | USDA Forest Service
Juniper Control and Sagebrush Steppe Recovery: Management Considerations and Research Perspectives Jonathan D. Bates, Kirk W. Davies In the western United States conversion of big sagebrush steppe to piñon-juniper woodlands has several adverse effects including increased soil erosion and reduced water infiltration, loss of wildlife habitat, elimination of the shrub layer, and reduced herbaceous plant diversity and productivity. In western juniper woodlands of the northwest woodland control using fire or mechanical treatments are effective measures to recover sagebrush steppe. Herbaceous cover, production, and diversity typically recovers in 2 to 10 years, while sagebrush recovery is a decadal pathway. However, successful recovery depends on several key elements including the density of residual perennial bunchgrasses, woodland phase, degree of weed presence, and method of treatment. All evidence indicates that there is greater potential for maintaining preferred plant communities and achieving recovery goals by controlling trees in early to mid-succession (< 50-60 yrs old) phases. In these woodlands mechanical control offers a low level of disturbance that is appropriate for maintaining important habitat requirements for wildlife, reducing liability and smoke management issues related to fire, and often results in fewer post treatment management concerns. Fire in these woodland types has several advantages in that small trees are more effectively killed and areas usually do not require retreatment for extended time periods (40-100 years). Treating late succession woodlands (60-130 yrs old) is often less predictable, particularly when broadcast burned, because of depleted understories and the potential for greater fire caused mortality of desirable herbaceous vegetation along with subsequent weed invasion and dominance. Thus, mechanical and low impact fire applications are often the best means for treatment of late successional woodlands to recovery sagebrush steppe communities. When late successional woodlands are broadcast burned, seeding of shrub and competitive mixes of herbaceous plants should be considered to augment recovery.
Restoring Mountain Big Sagebrush Steppe Habitat after Prescribed Burning Encroaching Juniper Kirk W. Davies, Jonathan D. Bates, Aleta Nafus Western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis ssp. occidentalis Hook) encroachment into mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle) steppe has reduced livestock forage production, increased erosion risk, and degraded sagebrush-associated wildlife habitat. Juniper has been successfully controlled with partial cutting followed by prescribed burning in the fall, but the herbaceous understory and sagebrush may be slow to recover. We evaluated seeding perennial herbaceous vegetation and sagebrush at sites where juniper was controlled by partially cutting and prescribed burning. Prior to treatment, sagebrush had largely been lost from the sites because of juniper encroachment. By the third year post-treatment, perennial grass cover and density were twice as high in herbaceous seeded plots compared to control (unseeded) plots. In areas with significant exotic annual grass presence, seeding herbaceous vegetation reduced exotic annual grass cover and density 2.7- and 3.8-fold compared to unseeded control plots by the third year after seeding. Averaged across all plots, sagebrush cover and density in sagebrush seeded plots was more than 100 times greater than unseeded plots. By the fourth year after treatment, sagebrush cover was as high as 24% in sagebrush seeded plots and between 0% and 2% where it was not seeded. These results indicate that aerial seeding perennial herbaceous vegetation can accelerate the recovery of perennial grasses which likely stabilizes seeded sites; however, not all sites need seeding. Our results also suggest that seeding mountain big sagebrush after controlling encroaching western juniper can rapidly recover sagebrush cover and density. Where sagebrush habitat is limited, seeding
94 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY sagebrush after juniper control may increase sagebrush habitat and decrease risks to sagebrush-associated species.
Passive Restoration in Sagebrush Ecosystems at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, Oregon. Lisa M. Ellsworth, Boone Kauffman The sagebrush desert is among the most endangered ecosystems in North America, due to land use changes such overgrazing by domestic livestock, invasive species, development, altered fire regimes and changing climate, which often interact to affect ecosystem structure and function. The long-term effects of domestic livestock and patterns of recovery following their removal are poorly understood in sagebrush ecosystems, particularly in burned areas. We examined the effects of fire and livestock removal at Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge, where cattle were removed to promote wildlife habitat in 1990. First, we obtained historical data and photos from permanently located plots and photo points (N=28) in four widespread communities: (1) Mountain shrub, (2) mountain big sagebrush, (3) Wyoming big sagebrush, and (4) low sagebrush. All plots were previously measured in 1968, 1979, and 1987. We resampled and re-photographed all plots in 2013. Secondly, we re-measured control and prescribed fire plots 17 years after fire to assess long-term post-fire response in Wyoming big sagebrush. Across all sagebrush ecosystems there was a decrease in bare ground following cattle removal, with concomitant increases in shrub, native bunchgrass, and biological soil crust cover that varied by community type. Low sage communities had increased shrub cover and decreased bare ground in 2013 compared to previous years. Mountain big sage had higher bunchgrass and lower litter cover in 2013. Wyoming big sage communities had increased shrub cover in 2013. Cheatgrass and other exotic cover was minimal (<1%) across all dates and communities. 17 years after fire in Wyoming big sage, shrub cover was still greatly reduced, but understory native bunchgrass and forb cover remained higher in burn plots than in unburned controls. These findings demonstrate that prescribed fire and the removal of livestock can result in positive changes to critical sagebrush communities, and can inform management decisions where restoration of sagebrush habitat is a priority.
Reestablishing Wyoming Big Sagebrush in Exotic Annual Grass and Introduced Grass Communities Aleta Nafus, Tony J. Svejcar, Kirk W. Davies Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata spp. wyomingensis [Beetle & A. Young] S. L. Welsh) is a critical component of habitat for sage grouse and other sagebrush obligate wildlife species. Reestablishing sagebrush is an important step in mitigating the widespread loss of habitat that has occurred following the invasion of exotic annual grasses and introduction of species such as crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum [L.] Gaertm.). In a variety of restoration experiments, sagebrush establishment was attempted using seedlings (grown in a greenhouse) or by broadcast seeding into a crested wheatgrass and exotic annual grass monocultures across southeastern Oregon. Sagebrush seedlings planted into crested wheatgrass stands had a relatively high success rate with ~70% of seedlings surviving at least three years post-planting. Broadcast seeding success was dependent on the level of crested wheatgrass control with seeded sagebrush (0.05 plants∙m-2) only establishing in plots where 75% of crested wheatgrass plants were killed. Sagebrush planted as seedlings into a successfully treated medusahead monoculture had a 37% success rate with 1.2 plants∙m-2 surviving 2 years post-planting. Broadcast seeding sagebrush into medusahead control plots was unsuccessful, regardless of planting season (fall vs winter) or seed age (collected year previous vs same year). However, sagebrush plants that were established from planted seedlings were producing seed the 1st year post-planting and by the 3rd year post-planting seedling sagebrush were successfully establishing from these parent plants. In an untreated cheatgrass monoculture we were unable to successfully establish any sagebrush using either sagebrush plugs or broadcast seeding. We found that reestablishment of Wyoming big sagebrush was most likely to occur if sagebrush seedlings were planted following successful control of the introduced grass species. Broadcast seeding
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 95 ABSTRACTS - WEDNESDAY sagebrush was largely unsuccessful, especially if the introduced grass was not successful controlled prior to seeding.
Energy Mitigation - From Policy to Restoration Opportunity Session Chair: Therese Meyer | Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
State Wildlife Agency Role in Restoration Project Effectiveness Monitoring: Applications to Energy Mitigation Actions Lee Turner One aspect of many habitat restoration projects that is sometimes overlooked or may be removed from restoration project activities given the current status of federal, state agency or other project proponent budgets is implementation of a statistically robust and ecologically meaningful monitoring protocol. In Nevada, the Nevada Department of Wildlife houses the Nevada Partners for Conservation and Development (NPCD). The NPCD is implementing vegetation, avian and species specific monitoring pre and post restoration treatment across Nevada using the Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative’s (WRI) example. In Utah, the WRI implements a state wide vegetation and animal monitoring program largely focused on habitat projects. Utah’s Division of Wildlife Resources has a long history of providing a variety of monitoring services to the various land management and private entities in Utah. Developing a coordinated and well thought out monitoring program provides a number of important services. First, this gives States an opportunity to provide leadership on habitat projects and encourages better communication with private and federal partners. Second, the monitoring program allows us to bring researchers, graduate students and undergraduates into habitat projects providing valuable, real world experience. Third, NDOW/NPCD is providing important project effectiveness information to agencies so that the best science is being used for a variety of land management decisions. Finally, by rigorously monitoring outcomes of projects, we can better guide future restoration design and implementation.
Basin-wide Habitat Quality Assessments Used to Focus Stream Restoration in Support of Salmon and Steelhead Reintroduction Upstream of Pelton Round Butte Dams, Oregon Michael Riehle, Robert Spateholts As part of the settlement agreement of the new federal hydropower license for Pelton Round Butte Project, the Licensees constructed facilities to reestablish anadromous fish passage, and also established a fund to implement fish habitat improvement projects during the new license period. Aquatic habitat inventories were conducted in the historic range of anadromous fish, and a database was developed assessing habitat quality for chinook salmon and steelhead trout by life stage for streams upstream of the dams. Habitat quality was rated based on relationships of habitat attributes and fish rearing densities found in the literature. Habitat attributes included flow and water temperature regimes. A Geographic Information System was used to plot stream reaches by habitat attributes that were limiting fish rearing capacity. An interagency review committee used habitat limiting factors analysis to determine which habitat attributes would be addressed by the proposed projects. Examples of Pelton Fund Projects on public land include the Metolius Fish Habitat Restoration where pools and large wood densities were improved for juvenile chinook salmon rearing habitat. Monitoring has shown a positive response in juvenile chinook salmon rearing densities from that project. Other projects in the basin include Whychus Floodplain and Dam Removal where pools, large wood, and off-channel rearing for steelhead trout will be improved. Future projects include McKay Creek Floodplain Restoration where pools, large wood, gravel, and off-channel rearing for juvenile steelhead trout will be restored. A basin-wide review of habitat quality ratings and projects completed show a successful, targeted habitat restoration program implemented by the various stakeholders in support of salmon and steelhead reintroduction in the Upper Deschutes Basin.
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State Wildlife Agency Approaches to Energy Development and Mitigation: Partnering with Industry Bill James Elected officials have made clear their expectation for additional energy development to take place on public lands in the West. Many of us employed by federal or state governments work for these same officials. Fortunately, these leaders generally have indicated a policy need for energy development to be done “right.” This translates into a demand for successfully mitigating impacts to wildlife and other natural resource values. How is mitigation addressed, from formative concept through to implementation and beyond? What does the term “mitigation” really mean, and what does it look like in practice? We will draw from a representative sampling of our mitigation experiences in Utah, dealing with energy features such as natural gas pipelines, oil and natural gas extraction (including “in-fill” developments), electrical transmission lines, and possibly other types. Key elements leading to success, or possible failure, will be explored. We will conclude with a short summation of lessons learned, and will provide both practical and conceptual urgings for those involved in the practice of natural resource mitigation.
Mitigating Wind, Solar, Geothermal and Other Energy Developments across the Great Basin and Mojave Parts of Nevada Lee Turner Across Nevada, a variety of alternative energy development projects are in all stages of implementation from design to currently connecting to the grid. These include geothermal, wind, solar and most recently hydraulic fracturing. The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) works closely with the project proponent and the land management agency where the project occurs; usually this is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The partnerships established by the NDOW, BLM and the project proponent will decide upon the types of on or off site habitat mitigation projects, how much the per acre cost will be and how the habitat projects will be managed, implemented, monitored and maintained through time. These partnerships allow for a great deal of leveraging concerning financial contributions, contracting opportunities and in-kind services provided. Where $1.00 may be contributed by the proponent, NDOW and BLM will bring in project dollars and other resources so that we routinely have 3:1, 4:1 or better matches for proponent’s input. Projects in Nevada are targeted at game and non-game species and can be in a variety of habitat types. The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) factors into much of northern Nevada’s landscape and as such is a focus for habitat mitigation project work.
Holistic Prairie Restoration: Using Novel Tools and Partnerships to Restore Whole Ecosystems Session Chair: Tom Kaye | Institute for Applied Ecology
New approaches to managing prairie habitat for Willamette daisy (Erigeron decumbens) Denise E. L. Giles-Johnson, Erin C. Gray, Thomas N. Kaye Willamette daisy (Erigeron decumbens) was once thought to be extinct: remnant populations of the quarter- sized, purple daisy are scattered, small and often found in degraded prairie habitats. Effective prairie management will be crucial for the recovery of this endangered species. The Institute for Applied Ecology, funded by USFWS and in partnership with Army Corps of Engineers and City of Eugene, have implemented a four year study to evaluate seven prairie management techniques including grazing, carbon addition, mowing,
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 97 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY application of grass specific herbicide, fire + glyphosate, glyphosate alone, and control (no management) on the Willamette daisy and the surrounding plant community. Significant differences can be seen between treatments in size, number of flowers and number of recruits on a site by site basis, however the effect of survivorship on the re-introduced daisies is not as clear. In the Corvallis West Recovery Zone, fire + glyphosate resulted in the largest plants with most capitula. In this Recovery Zone, there was no clear effect of mowing. Conversely, in the Eugene West Recovery Zone, at sites dominated by perennial invasive grasses and shrubs, mowing resulted in more flowers and larger plants than the control. At sites in this zone with more native diversity, the response by daisies to management was more variable. Results of management treatments on plant community varied by site, however at many sites, carbon addition showed the most significant decrease in invasive species cover with little, no, or even positive effects on native species cover. This was particularly true at sites dominated by the invasive species Hypochaeris radicata, and Vulpia bromoides where carbon addition decreased invasive cover by as much as 50% (similar to fire + glyphosate). Results of this study will be informative to land managers of both occupied and future habitat of this endangered species.
Fire as a Unifying Agent in Prairie Restoration R. Adam Martin, Sarah T. Hamman, Peter W. Dunwiddie, Mason McKinley The prairie and oak ecosystems of the South Puget Sound are some of the most fragmented and endangered ecosystems in North America. With a suite of endangered, threatened, and rare species across taxonomic lineages with multiple and sometimes conflicting needs, management and restoration can border on impossible. While fire presents its challenges, it can also unify and make coherent a long-term restoration and recovery strategy for the recently listed species and the whole ecosystem. Work in the past few years has demonstrated fire’s fundamental role for a wide suite of prairie-dependent flora and fauna. Fire has been used to help maintain a largely missing functional group (native annual plants), to increase flowering and germination of Golden Paintbrush, as well as food and host plants for rare butterflies, and to create the open space needed for Horned Larks. Fire has also been vital for the integrated control of a number of invasive plants, most notably Scot’s broom. This success has largely been driven by the willingness for multiple partners to burn together. Burning together and sharing an interest and responsibility in ecological burning set the stage for needed dialog and problem solving on contentious issues within the restoration community. This willingness of the South Sound fire community to have a big tent has expanded the connection between the human community and the prairie community, while also linking prairie conservationists to a number of other groups across the US. So, like the prairies themselves, when a diverse community of fire supporters exists, the culture of fire in the South Puget Sound becomes more resilient towards political pressures, which is vital for the recovery of the ecosystem and the species within it.
Using Common Gardens to Assess Climate Effects on Kincaid's Lupine (Lupinus oreganus) Erin C. Gray, Denise E. L. Giles-Johnson, Andrea Thorpe, Thomas N. Kaye Kincaid’s lupine (Lupinus oreganus), a rare legume found in prairies and oak savannas, is listed as threatened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Oregon Department of Agriculture, and endangered by the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Extensive land development and alteration in the prairies of western Oregon and southwestern Washington have relegated remaining populations to small, isolated patches of habitat. The historic habitat of L. oreganus may continue to become more inhospitable given that climate models predict temperature increases and decreased precipitation in the Pacific Northwest. We used an experimental common garden to test for interactions between genotype and microclimate to identify management considerations which may be necessary for long-term adaptation to climate change. Treatments included ambient (no treatment) and experimental manipulations of the microclimate to simulate cooler (shading plots) and hotter (warming plots) temperatures. We observed differences between seed sources in germination time, where species from the southern end of the range germinated far earlier than the rest. Seed source was found to
98 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY significantly affect height and survival of Kincaid’s lupine in the common garden. Both seed source and treatment (ambient, warming, shading) were found to affect number of leaves of Kincaid’s lupine, though the interaction of these two factors was not significant. Results of this study help inform management decisions regarding appropriate seed source populations and site selection for future population introduction efforts. In addition, this study has been an innovative approach involving students and volunteers in learning about climate change and conservation research where 105 volunteers have participated, contributing over 400 hours.
Species-specific Responses to Site Preparation and Spatiotemporal Variation during Grassland Restoration Jonathan D. Bakker, Eric Delvin, Peter W. Dunwiddie Taxon-specific knowledge is necessary when developing customized restoration strategies, and variation among taxa influences community-level metrics (species richness, total cover). We evaluated plant establishment in a prairie restoration experiment in western Washington. Our experiment was conducted in four seeding years (2009-2012) at four sites, two each in North and South Puget Sound, initially dominated by non-native grasses and agricultural weeds. We tested three site preparation treatments (burned, solarized, herbicided) followed by broadcast seeding of a diverse mix of species at varying seed densities. Establishment, the percentage of sown seeds present as seedlings, was calculated for each of 30 taxa. Each site preparation treatment favored some taxa while hindering the establishment of others. For example, establishment of Castilleja spp. was highest in burned plots, while that of Balsamorhiza deltoidea was lowest in burned plots. Overall, herbiciding enhanced the establishment of more taxa while solarizing hindered the establishment of more taxa. By affecting establishment patterns, the type of site preparation can cause the same seed mix to develop into different plant communities. In addition, these results suggest that seed mixes should be tailored to reflect the site preparation treatment at a given site. Random variance in establishment was partitioned among temporal (seeding year) and spatial sources (region, site, plot, quadrat), and groups of taxa with similar variance patterns were identified. Some taxa had most variation at small spatial scales (quadrats), others among plots, and others among seeding years. Variation at small spatial scales and among seeding years can limit our ability to predict the outcome of restoration actions but also fosters the assembly of diverse and heterogeneous communities.
Post-fire Restoration Collaborations in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Session Chair: Joseph Weldon | BLM
National Landscape Conservation Areas - Opportunities for Restoration Demonstration Focal Sites: A Case Study from the Snake River Plain Anne S. Halford, Jill Holderman, Charles Baun The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey (SRBOP) National Landscape Conservation Area (NLCA) includes 195,746 ha of public land located in the heart of the Snake River Plain. The NLCA was established in 1993 to protect a unique environment that supports one of the world's highest concentrations of nesting birds of prey. Frequent wildfires and other disturbances have converted over 65 percent of the landscape from native sagebrush habitat to early successional plant community types. Although ecologically resilient and disturbance tolerant native species persist, the NLCA continues to experience habitat declines precipitated by non-native invasive species. Recovery of native vegetation structure and diversity, including shrub cover and herbaceous perennial plants, is critical to protecting crucial raptor prey-base species, providing more diverse pollinator habitat for rare plant species, and increasing resilience to climate change. Through past, current and future applied research collaborations, the SRBOP NLCA is well poised to address high priority research topics of general concern to land management agencies across the Great Basin through the development of restoration demonstration focal sites. These focal sites increase the collaborative relationship between managers and
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 99 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY scientists, provide long-term scientific monitoring of joint research/management restoration projects, and improve public awareness of restoration activities within the NLCA. Leveraging these focal sites with other Great Basin-wide restoration initiatives will increase opportunities for multidisciplinary research and the subsequent development of technology transfer tools that inform restoration along the continuum of current and future climates.
Weather Variability and Proactive Planning for Post-fire Restoration in Wyoming Big Sage Habitat: Taking Advantage of Short-Term Management Resources in Support of Long-term Management Objectives Stuart P. Hardegree, Anne S. Halford, Roger L. Sheley, Alex R. Boehm Sagebrush rangelands in the western US have undergone significant and large scale conversion to annual weed- dominated plant communities in the last 200 years. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) currently dominates millions of acres of rangeland and is expected to continue range expansion under future conditions of wildfire and climate change. Restoration of these rangelands is complicated by dynamic successional processes and high variability in seasonal and annual weather in any given year. Operational and legal requirements for post-fire Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR), however, result in the majority of rangeland restoration efforts being implemented in the year immediately following wildfire. This scenario is somewhat out of sync with current management preferences for long-term, ecologically based adaptive management. We review current availability of historical weather information, and describe a pro-active approach for using weather knowledge in rangeland restoration and ESR planning. This approach incorporates weather variability into an adaptive management framework for iterative evaluation of restoration treatments, and a contingency approach to adjust management in future years based on weather-mediated success, partial success or treatment failure. This type of weather analysis can be conducted in advance, at a relatively large scale and be available at the beginning of any specific ESR planning interval. A pro-active, weather-centric planning approach also offers the opportunity to integrate ESR and longer-term restoration through adaptive management planning.
Assessing Fuel Loads across Successional and Invasion Gradients in Degraded Sagebrush Landscapes Douglas Shinneman, David Pilliod, Robert Arkle, Nancy Glenn, Susan McIlroy, Anne S. Halford Sagebrush shrublands in the Great Basin are highly influenced by non-native plants that alter successional trajectories, creating dynamic fuel conditions. When non-native annual species such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) establish in post-fire environments, they can suppress native species, promote frequent wildfire, and perpetuate non-native species dominance. Fuel quantities are highly variable through space and time under these conditions, hindering attempts by land managers to predict and control fire and restore native communities. The goal of this study was to develop an approach to better quantify and predict fuel loads and the effects of fuels manipulations in Great Basin sagebrush communities. Using the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Landscape Conservation Area (NLCA) in Idaho as a study area, we addressed three primary research questions: 1) How do fuel loads change along successional/invasion gradients in current or former sagebrush sites? 2) How do fuels reduction treatments influence areas formerly dominated by sagebrush? 3) What are the fine-scale spatial patterns of fuels across the landscape, and how can remotely-sensed imagery be used to develop spatially-explicit predictive models of fuel loadings? Over three years, we sampled 2,500+ plots distributed throughout the NLCA. Preliminary findings indicate that fuel loads vary across successional gradients, with higher herbaceous fuel loadings in invaded versus intact sagebrush communities. Loadings also varied depending on non-native species composition, with annual forbs contributing significantly to fine fuel loads relative to sites dominated by cheatgrass alone. The relative dominance of non-native species varied among years, suggesting that precipitation influences species-specific contributions to fine-fuels. Our predictive models are being coupled to LiDAR and other remotely sensed data to develop spatially-explicit fuel maps that should contribute to a better understanding of the spatiotemporal variability of fuels in sagebrush landscapes, inform fuel-reduction strategies, and enhance fuel models used to predict fire behavior.
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Sagebrush Responses to Shifting Climate and Fire Disturbances: Basic Insights for Restoration Matthew J. Germino, Martha Brabec, Ann Marie Raymondi, Lar Svenson The Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (BOPNCA) has experienced considerable loss of big sagebrush as fire and invasive grasses have increased in recent decades, similar to many other regions in the western US. Management efforts aimed at promoting recovery of sagebrush and wildlife habitat are faced with climate, weather, and other landscape challenges. Our research program is evaluating climate responses of adult and seedling sagebrush, and the effect of management options for post-fire seeding on recovery. To test the hypothesis that warming is hindering sagebrush persistence or post-fire establishment, and to evaluate genetic variability in responses, we established experimental warming and control plots on five new wildfire sites and on nearby unburned sites that still had sagebrush. Seedlings of a variety of populations of the three primary subspecies of big sagebrush were planted onto the burned plots. Preliminary data suggest little effect of warming on adult big sagebrush, which contrasts positive effects observed elsewhere at higher elevations. Also in contrast, warming affected seedling survival and growth. Considerable variation was evident among subspecies and populations, indicating importance of selecting appropriate seed sources in restoration or rehabilitation seedings. In an associated pilot study, we attempted to evaluate how choice of seed source has related to success of sagebrush recovery in >20 post-fire seedings in and around the BOPNCA, in light of weather, climate, and many other factors affecting establishment. In contrast to the climate experiment, the pilot study did not reveal a strong effect of sagebrush seed source on seeding outcomes, in spite of a tendency for non-target subspecies from higher elevation climates to have been seeded. To provide a stronger test of how choice of sagebrush seed has affected seeding outcomes, we are expanding the analysis to include many more seeding projects distributed throughout the Great Basin and elsewhere.
Collaborative Restoration in Whychus Creek: Restoring Habitat for Salmon and Steelhead Reintroduction Session Chair: Ryan Houston | Upper Deschutes Watershed Council
The Deschutes Partnership's Collaborative Model: An Integrated Approach to Restoring Habitat for Salmon and Steelhead Ryan Houston In early 2007 fisheries managers launched an ambitious effort to restore salmon and steelhead runs in the upper reaches of the Deschutes River basin, seeking to bring anadromous fish back to more than 200 miles of river blocked by the Pelton Round Butte dams since 1968. The reintroduction effort, led by the Warm Springs Tribes, Portland General Electric and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, has catalyzed a multi-partner effort to restore these streams to the conditions necessary for successful spawning, rearing and migration. More than a century of stream channelization, flow reductions and the construction of dams has significantly reduced the quality of habitat available in Whychus Creek, potentially limiting the success of the reintroduction effort in this important spawning and rearing tributary. Water quality in the creek does not meet state standards for temperature, stream flows do not meet state instream flow targets, and irrigation diversion dams block fish passage along portions of the creek. Restoration at the scale necessary to support quality habitat has been estimated at more than $30 million, creating a significant need for strategic, integrated, outcome-based restoration efforts operating at a large scale. With reintroduction underway and a strong desire to accelerate restoration outcomes, local partners are implementing a strategic restoration approach to accelerate the scale, pace and scope, as well as the accountability, of restoration efforts. The integrated approach began in 2005 and has since grown to include more than $20 million in projects, built upon key principles of strategic, integrated restoration. This approach in Whychus Creek serves as a potential model that can be used in other watersheds
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 101 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY where integrated restoration is needed to achieve ecological outcomes. Lessons learned from the work in Whychus Creek fall into technical, political, social, organizational and financial categories, all of which have contributed to the success of the ongoing effort.
The Role of Strategic Land Conservation: Securing Key Parcels for Restoration and Long-Term Protection Amanda Egertson For almost two decades, the Deschutes Land Trust has focused on protecting the best stream and floodplain habitat on the privately-owned portions of Whychus Creek, most of which are found between the town of Sisters and the Whychus Creek/Deschutes River confluence some 15 miles to the northeast. Over that time, we’ve completed six conservation projects totaling approximately 2600 acres and including more than eight miles of Whychus Creek. Our most recent purchase of the Remund property concluded an effort to establish the Whychus Canyon steelhead stronghold — six contiguous miles of permanently-protected habitat managed specifically for salmon and steelhead reintroduction. Our conservation efforts on Whychus Creek are strategic and proactive. Our strategic criteria include: 1) Does the property include functional or potentially functional meadow habitat? Historically, these low-gradient meadow reaches provided the best spring chinook and steelhead spawning and rearing habitat on the creek. As wet areas in an arid landscape, these meadow complexes also provided important habitat for many species found in the area, including numerous sensitive bird and bat species. 2) Does the property create conservation efficiencies? In many ways, it takes as much time and effort to conserve 25 acres as it does to conserve 2500 acres. Likewise, it is often more efficient and effective to restore two miles of creek owned by one landowner than it is to restore two miles of creek owned by seven landowners. More than a decade ago we used these and other criteria to identify approximately nine top-priority properties on Whychus Creek. We have been proactively generating opportunities on those properties since that time. Our main objective with all Whychus Creek conservation projects is to prevent existing or restorable floodplain habitat from being loss to residential development. Despite land use laws intended to prevent floodplain development, residential development continues to impact floodplains throughout the reintroduction area.
Community Collaboration - Removing Barriers and Eliminating Threats: The Socio-political Dynamics of Modifying 100 Year Old Irrigation Practices to Improve Watershed Health Mathias Perle Whychus Creek historically provided some of the best spawning, rearing and migration habitat for wild salmon and steelhead upstream of the Pelton Round Butte Dams. However, more than a century of irrigation diversion development has resulted in fish passage barriers and unscreened diversions throughout the watershed. In many cases, these diversions have been in place for more than 100 years and the landowners and water right holders may not be aware the effects these diversions have on fish populations. Addressing habitat fragmentation and eliminating threats to fish from unscreened irrigation diversions is critical for the long term success of the anadromous fish reintroduction program. The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council along with local partners and the Pelton Round Butte Fund have been working on these problems since 2007 using a programmatic approach with landowners to develop and implement multiple passage and screening projects along Whychus Creek. Reaching the point where a fish passage and/or screening project can be implemented however is often more time consuming and labor intensive than the actual restoration activity itself. Although the technical aspects of screening and passage at many of these small diversions may be fairly straight-forward, there is a tremendous need to build trust, communication and partnerships with landowners so that the social barriers to project implementation can be eliminated over time and the diversion retrofits can be implemented efficiently. This trust-building takes time and often requires word of mouth communication between landowners and water right holders so the ability to recruit many landowners concurrently has been one of the programmatic approach’s greatest benefits. With a strong program in place, the Upper Deschutes Watershed
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Council and local partners have worked on several projects simultaneously allowing passage and screening to be addressed at a greater pace than if only one project were developed and implemented at a time.
Flow Restoration: Innovative Approaches to Restoring Stream Flow in an Over-appropriated Arid Watershed Brett Golden Whychus Creek has been dammed, ditched, and diverted for human use, primarily irrigation, since the late 1800s. The creek often ran dry during the summer months for over 100 years as a result of these diversions. Restoration efforts over the past decade have focused on providing the habitat necessary to support self- sustaining populations of resident and anadromous fish. Stream flow restoration has been a critical component of these efforts. Oregon’s instream flow statutes provide the legal framework for stream flow restoration in the creek. Within this framework, partners have developed large-scale stream flow restoration programs that use both short- and long-term tools to reach stream flow goals. Conveyance efficiency programs reduce the amount of water that irrigators need to divert from the creek and legally protect a corresponding volume instream. Permanent water rights purchases move water from urbanizing lands back to the creek. Temporary water rights leases provide for low-cost, flexible stream flow restoration while maintaining agricultural communities. Within this legal framework, partners have legally restored over 35 cfs of water rights to Whychus Creek. These efforts have yielded stream flow increases throughout the summer irrigation season. Minimum 30 day moving average stream flows increased from 2.6 cfs in 2001, prior to any large scale restoration efforts, to 22 cfs in 2013. These increased stream flows decrease stream temperatures and support instream habitat, riparian habitat and fish passage restoration efforts throughout the creek.
Riparian and Wetland Contributed Session Session Chair: James Hallett | Eastern Washington University
Determining Effective Buffer Widths for Semiarid Ecosystems of the Columbia Basin Plateau John Small, Betsy Severtsen, Ben Floyd, Jeremy Sikes, Jaimie Short, Damien Hooper This presentation is based on a peer-reviewed literature review to understand the lateral extent of riparian buffers needed to protect ecological functions in semi-arid landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. The review was undertaken to support a series of Shoreline Master Program (SMP) updates in eastern Washington State. State laws and rules dictate that local governments prepare an SMP, tailoring it to local geographic and environmental conditions and existing and future planned development patterns within the shoreline. The SMP update process also integrates the objectives and interests of local citizens, and key principles of an SMP include striking a balance among environmental protection, public access, and water-oriented uses. While Washington State’s new environmental protection standard for updated shoreline master programs is “no-net-loss of shoreline ecological functions,” and restoration of degraded areas is encouraged, this does not mean that all shoreline areas are required to be made “pristine” or returned to pre-settlement conditions. A variety of literature describes the effect of riparian vegetation and upland shrub-steppe communities on fish and wildlife habitat; however, species-specific requirements are extremely varied and often interrelated with non-riparian habitat requirements. For these reasons, the establishment of a “one size fits all” habitat buffer distance is highly problematic. The findings presented indicate that while preservation of all existing riparian vegetation is crucial, this goal can be attained with much narrower buffers than in other areas of the Pacific Northwest. This presentation provides a scientific basis for maintaining high levels of ecologic function of riparian buffers without unduly limiting development that falls under the state’s Shoreline Management Act jurisdiction (Revised Code of Washington 90.58).
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Community Driven Eradication of Ludwigia peploides from a Palustrine Wetland in Portland, Oregon: Lessons Learned Alexander P. Staunch Ludwigia peploides ssp. montevidensis is an exotic macrophyte expanding in range throughout Oregon. Since 2012, an established infestation of L. peploides has undergone eradication within the three acre Blue Heron Wetland complex of Portland, Oregon. The removal effort was motivated and currently managed by residents of the East Columbia Neighborhood with the goal to restore open water habitat for avian species. In cooperation with Portland State University, a monitoring program was established to assess the efficacy of 3% glyphosate treatment and hand pulling in the eradication of L. peploides. Fifteen 6 x 6 m test plots were constructed in areas that experienced year-round soil saturation. Biomass sampling and GIS cover class maps were used to assess density and range of L. peploides both within plots and at a system scale. Ten months after a fall chemical application, high and moderate density areas (>50% and 5-50% cover respectively) of L. peploides were reduced by approximately 60%, whereas low density areas (<5%) increased by 210%. Heavy infestations remained where flowering occurred earlier in the season in response to soil drying. Chemical application was repeated on August 8, 2013 in an attempt to syncronize treatments with time of flowering. On September 20, 2013 application plots yielded mean biomass samples of 24.0 g DM/m^2, compared to 498.5 g DM/m^2 in controls. Application of 3% glyphosate in early fall resulted in suitable control for dense infestations of L. peploides in perennially wet areas of the wetlands. Chemical application earlier in the growing season or hand pulling may yield increased effectiveness within microsites in which L. peploides flowers earlier. Currently, the residents of the East Columbia Neighborhood have developed survey protocol to prevent reestablishiment of L. peploides within the wetlands after project funding is exhausted. Information gained from the Blue Heron Wetlands will be shared with local land managers in the control of L. peploides in Northwestern Oregon.
Outcomes of Collaborative, Low-cost Riparian Restoration of Grimes Creek, Idaho, a Stream Impacted by Dredge-mined Tailings Chris Murphy, Pam Harrington The floodplain of Grimes Creek, in the Boise Mountains of southwest Idaho, is severely confined due to tailing piles left after dredge mining in the early to mid-1900’s. Riparian cover is discontinuous, banks are unstable, channel complexity is reduced, large woody debris are lacking, and stream temperatures are elevated. To correct these issues, Trout Unlimited, the landowner, and Idaho Department of Fish and Game secured a $125,000 grant to fund collaborative riparian restoration using a reference-based watershed approach for monitoring. Approximately 7,000 cubic m of cobble and gravel were removed from a 300 m-long stream reach to create a floodplain inundated at a 2 to 5 year frequency. Dozens of community volunteers planted over 700 trees and shrubs on the site after tailing removal. Quantitative, reference-based effectiveness monitoring was conducted in 2010 (pre-implementation) and post-implementation in 2011, 2012, and 2014. Planted species survival, vegetation composition and structure, and ground features were monitored along permanent transects. Soil and floodplain characteristics were also described. Results were compared to 2 groups of reference sites identified using GIS analysis. Long-term natural recovery sites (> 50 years old since mining) were located along lightly disturbed stream reaches in watersheds ecologically similar to Grimes Creek. Sections of nearby Mores Creek, restored by mine tailing removal 8 years ago, served as the other reference site. Grimes Creek riparian restoration met early objectives. The width of the floodplain widened, exceeding reference sites. The substrate became moister and finer in texture, suitable for establishment of riparian vegetation (as indicated by an increase in wetland indicator species). Initial planting survival was similar to other riparian restoration projects in the Pacific Northwest. Native vegetation diversity increased, but development of a multi- layered, shade-producing overstory will take time. Overall, the successional trajectory was towards reference
104 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY sites. Other outcomes included a riparian restoration volunteer training manual and a planting guide for the Boise River basin.
Age Structure of Riparian Aspen Woodlands in Response to Long-Term Livestock Grazing and Climate: A Landscape Scale Removal Experiment in the Northwestern Great Basin Robert L. Beschta, J. Boone Kauffman, David S. Dobkin, Lisa M. Ellsworth Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) are widely distributed across the western United States (U.S.) and are valued for landscape diversity, wildlife habitat, aesthetics, recreational sites, wood fiber, and livestock forage. Aspen extent in the western U.S. has decreased greatly over the last century. Possible causes for this decline include altered fire regimes, conifer competition, direct and indirect effects of a changing climate, and high levels of ungulate herbivory. Additionally, regional studies have recently identified climate change as a major driver of aspen woodland decline. We determined the age structure of riparian quaking aspen stands over the period 1850-2009 to evaluate potential influences of (a) livestock herbivory and (b) climate on long-term aspen demography at the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (HMNAR) in the northwestern Great Basin. We found a significant decline in aspen recruitment occurred in the late 1800s, coincident with the onset of high levels of EuroAmerican livestock grazing. Although livestock grazing was regulated on HMNAR following its establishment in 1936, only low levels of aspen recruitment continued to occur. After termination of livestock grazing in 1990, aspen recruitment on the refuge increased by more than an order of magnitude compared to levels occurring during the previous half-century of regulated grazing. Climate variables (i.e., Palmer Drought Severity Index, annual precipitation, and annual temperature) appeared to have little influence on long-term patterns of aspen recruitment. Overall, results are consistent with top-down forcing by livestock herbivory as the major factor associated with a century of reduced aspen recruitment on HMNAR. Where long-term declines in aspen are currently underway on grazed lands in the western U.S., land managers need to carefully consider the potential effects of livestock herbivory and alter management accordingly to provide sufficient aspen recruitment for ensuring retention of aspen woodlands and their ecosystem services.
Edaphic Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Allison Warner | Tulalip Tribes of Washington
Mycorrhizal and Microbial Inoculation Affect the Growth and Phenology of Native Plants Raised for Restoration Sasha R. Porter, Erin E. Martin, Sarah T. Hamman Production of native seedlings for field outplanting has become a common ecological restoration technique worldwide. However, the establishment of greenhouse-raised plants in the field is usually poor. Mycorrhizal fungi are symbionts that can provide survival benefits to host plants. This relationship is ubiquitous in terrestrial ecosystems and mycorrhizae are absent only under unusual circumstances, such as in a nursery greenhouse. In this large-scale study nine Northwest short-grass prairie species were grown for six months in sterilized medium with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculant cultured from local native plants, a general AMF inoculant, or in control treatments. Three microbial washes with AMF removed, created from a high-quality site, a restoration site, and unsterilized potting medium, were added within each AMF treatment in a fully factorial design. Seedling emergence, survival, aboveground growth, biomass, and AMF colonization data were collected. AMF significantly enhanced the growth of five species and the survival of four with neutral growth and survival effects on the remainder; there was no significant difference between the two AMF inoculants. Field microbial wash tended to have a negative effect on seedling emergence and growth, with the high-quality site treatment most repressive. AMF and microbial interacted on Festuca roemeri, with AMF mediating the negative effect of other microorganisms. Surprisingly, AMF positively affected Castilleja levisecta, a hemiparasite, and altered the
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 105 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY phenology of Dodecatheon hendersonii, delaying dormancy. Results suggest that AMF can enhance the growth and survivorship of many species, and that inoculation may lead to greater success in ecosystem restoration efforts.
Seasonal Variability on Factors Promoting the Establishment of Desert Mosses Lea A. Condon, David A. Pyke Land managers in the sagebrush steppe of the Great Basin frequently seed burned areas following fire in an attempt to rehabilitate native vegetation and hinder invasion by cheatgrass, Bromus tectorum. Recent work indicates that the presence of lichen and mosses on the soil surface increases site resistance to invasion by cheatgrass, although we currently lack protocols for restoring lichens and mosses following disturbance. We test some common site amelioration techniques on establishment and growth of mosses frequently found in the Great Basin: Bryum argenteum and Syntrichia ruralis. Site amelioration techniques were tested in a randomized block design and included irrigation, addition of organic matter, shading, source populations from differing environments and season of inoculation (fall and spring). Mosses were grown outdoors in central Oregon between the spring seasons of 2013 and 2014. Preliminary results indicate that the greatest positive effects of irrigation and the addition of organic matter were found on the growth of Bryum sp. when the moss was inoculated in the spring. Site amelioration treatments and season of inoculation mattered less for Syntrichia sp. For both species, mosses collected from a warmer, drier source population reached greater cover throughout the study in central Oregon. This work has substantial management implications for increasing the cover of native species in the Great Basin as a means of increasing site resistance to invasion. We were frequently able to achieve cover values in excess of 25% by inoculating Bryum sp. in the spring with the addition of organic matter.
Restoration of Landslides and Unstable Slopes David F. Polster Landslides and unstable slopes can present significant challenges in terms of restoration. However, natural processes have been restoring these sites since the advent of terrestrial vegetation about 450 million years ago. How does this happen, and can we use these processes as a model for addressing sites that are causing problems? This paper presents a variety of soil bioengineering techniques that have been developed over the past 30 years to stabilize landslides and unstable slopes. Soil bioengineering systems use living plant materials to provide some engineering treatment such as retaining walls, drains or soil reinforcement. By identifying the factors that are causing the instability and providing treatments that address this cause the unstable site can be treated, often for a fraction of the cost of traditional hard engineering solutions. Local native pioneering species are used in soil bioengineering systems so the resulting treatment provides the foundations for continued successional vegetation development on the site. Later successional species as well as a broad diversity of appropriate understory species appear at the right times creating diverse ecosystems on the formerly unstable slope. Soil bioengineering systems use locally available materials and hand labour so ecologically appropriate solutions can be applied by the community that has been impacted by the instability (if appropriate) thus building in the social as well as ecological recovery to the landslide. Examples are drawn from the author’s experience.
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Holistic Prairie Restoration: Using Novel Tools and Partnerships to Restore Whole Ecosystems 4 Session Chair: Tom Kaye | Institute for Applied Ecology
Recovery of Nelson’s checkermallow through large scale production and introduction on public and private lands. Peter Moore, Melanie Gisler, Thomas N. Kaye, Erin C. Gray Nelson’s checkermallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana) is a threatened plant found in prairie habitats of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, and in south-western Washington. Since 2008, we have been developing a recovery model for this species involving large scale plant materials production and introduction on public and protected private lands. Our objectives are 1) to meet US Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Plan criteria in the Corvallis West and Salem West zones (20,000 plants each), 2) determine the most successful propagules for introduction – seed, plugs, or rhizomes, and 3) expand availability of introduction sites by including private lands enrolled in conservation easement programs. First, seed was collected from multiple wild populations in both recovery zones and used to plant two ¼ acre production fields. Approximately 300 pounds of seed from these fields, and 39,000 plugs and rhizomes, were then planted at 16 sites. Site preparation included herbicide treatments, mowing, prescribed fire, and companion plantings of native prairie species. Recovery objectives have been exceeded for the number of checkermallows in both zones, although work is still needed to improve or maintain habitat quality at some sites. Experimental plots were established at six sites to compare relative survival and cost effectiveness of the three propagule types. Overall, four years after establishment, seeds achieved the highest number of plants, but plugs produced bigger plants with more flowers. We have demonstrated Nelson’s checkermallow has excellent potential for delisting using a model that includes genetically-diverse plant material, large production fields, public and private introduction sites, and adequate funding for site management. We are now adapting the model to other listed plant species.
Partnerships for Restoring Invaded Grasslands on San Juan Island Regina Rochefort Prairies are an important component of landscapes at San Juan Island National Historical Park (SAJH). Prior to the arrival of Europeans in the 1800s, the American Camp landscape was dominated by native prairies that were later utilized by the Hudson Bay Company as farmlands and to graze sheep, cattle, horses, and hogs. Currently about 600 acres still remain as prairies, although exotic grasses and rabbits exert a strong influence on plant and soil communities and processes. Recent surveys (2001 – 2004) documented at least 87 patches of native prairie distributed across the American Camp landscape. Since 2004, SAJH has been refining methods to restoration these severely degraded prairies through research and community partnerships. SAJH is currently developing a plan to restore a functioning prairie landscape that also protects the cultural landscape that the park commemorates. Community partnerships are a vital component of this landscape restoration project. We will report on the results of our restoration trials from both ecologic and economic perspectives.
Expanding partnerships and prairie restoration opportunities with managed grazing on private and public lands. Marty Chaney, Sarah T. Hamman, Peter W. Dunwiddie, Lucas Patzek Working lands have the potential to play an important role in native prairie restoration and endangered species recovery in the Pacific Northwest. Many ranch lands in western Washington were established on remnant
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 107 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY prairie and, while they have been managed to support forage for cattle and other livestock, some still retain vestiges of their prairie past with remnant populations of native herbaceous plants and Mazama pocket gophers. The capacity of these landscapes to provide substantial habitat for rare species, as well as functionally linking higher quality prairie remnants, while maintaining productive fields for livestock, is unknown. We have initiated a grazing management study in partnership with a local rancher to understand how high intensity rotational grazing regimes both maintain native prairie vegetation and influence the establishment of native prairie species and, in return, how these mixed communities of pasture grasses and native plants support the livestock. Initial results of the seeding study suggest that some prairie species, especially annuals, may do well in grazed systems with early spring rest periods, while other perennials that require high seed-to-soil contact may require multiple years and multiple seedings to get established in grazing systems. We have also conducted a suite of workshops to engage the ranching community and provide an avenue for information and knowledge exchange, networking opportunities and new partnerships. There were over 40 different public and private partners at each workshop and, for the first time, ranchers, land managers, university professors and researchers discussed priorities and new tools to improve the conservation and production value of remnant prairie lands.
Post-fire Restoration Collaborations in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Session Chair: Anne Halford | USDI Bureau of Land Management, Idaho State Office
Cooperative Habitat Restoration Projects in the Idaho Army National Guard's Orchard Combat Training Center: Partnering to Do More with Less Charles Baun The Idaho Army National Guard’s (IDARNG) Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC) is the second largest National Guard training facility in the United States (143,00 acres), and one of the most sophisticated tank and aviation training sites in the world. The site is in close proximity to a major metropolitan area (>500,000 population), and provides training for between 10,000 and 14,000 soldiers and regional law enforcement agencies annually. The lands encompassing the OCTC are a mix of salt-desert shrub, sagebrush/grass steppe, and exotic annuals managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL). The OCTC falls wholly within the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Landscape Conservation Area (NLCA), which was established in 1993 to protect one of the highest concentrations of nesting raptor species in the United States. The IDARNG is responsible for sustainably managing the natural and cultural resources of the OCTC in a manner that balances them with the training requirements of the US soldiers when put in harm’s way. However, based on the concentration of resources present, the types of human uses (military, livestock, power and gas infrastructure, public recreation, etc.), the proximity of an expanding population base, and the increased effects of wildland fire, it is becoming increasingly difficult. In addition, personnel, funding, equipment, labor, and other necessary resources continue to be reduced through budget cuts and sequestration. As a result, the IDARNG has developed a number of cooperative projects with the BLM, FWS, ARS, USGS, IDL, IDFG, local Universities, NGOs, and other organizations in order to do more with less. This presentation will look at four interconnected restoration and monitoring projects that have been developed and implemented through these collaborative partnerships. These projects include a cheatgrass bio-control, mycorrhizal inventory, sagebrush grow-out and planting, and a large-scale vegetation mapping technique study.
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Inoculation of Wyoming Big Sagebrush Seedlings with Native Arbuscular Mycorrhizae: Impacts on Root Colonization, Mycorrhizal Community Composition, and Seedling Survival after Transplanting Bill Davidson, Marcelo Serpe Inoculation of seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a common practice aimed at improving seedling establishment. The success of this practice largely depends on the ability of the inoculum to multiply and colonize the growing root system after transplanting. These events were investigated in Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) seedlings inoculated with native AMF. Seedlings were first grown in a greenhouse in sterilized soil (non-inoculated seedlings) or soil containing a mixture of native mycorrhizal species (inoculated seedlings). Three-month old seedlings were transplanted to a recently burned sagebrush habitat or to 24 L pots filled with soil from a sagebrush habitat and grown under natural conditions. Seedlings were transplanted to pots in the spring and fall of 2011, and to the burned site in the spring and fall of 2012. At the time of transplanting the percent colonization was negligible for non-inoculated seedlings and ranged between 24 to 81% for the inoculated ones. Three, 5, or 8 months after transplanting colonization was about twofold higher in inoculated than non-inoculated seedlings. For the seedlings used to analyze colonization, we characterized the AMF phylotypes present in the roots using molecular approaches. A total of eight phylotypes were identified, two within the Claroideoglomeracea and six within the Glomeraceae. For inoculated seedlings, ordination analysis using non-metric multidimensional scaling did not reveal differences between the AMF communities present in the roots before and after transplanting. Similarly, no differences in phylotype composition were detected between non-inoculated and inoculated seedlings after transplanting. Overall, our results indicate that the inoculum did not significantly alter the AMF composition of the roots, but contributed to the colonization of the roots that developed after transplanting, resulting in higher levels of colonization than for those colonized strictly by AMF naturally occurring in the soil. Furthermore, increases in colonization were associated with increases in seedling survival.
Techniques to Improve the Quality of Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) / Crested Wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) Rangeland: Positive Implications for Sage Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), Livestock, and Other Wildlife Matt J. Ricketts, James S. Jacobs Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata), a North American native, and forage kochia (Bassia prostrate), native to Eurasia, share a similar ecological niche and serve similar conservation and nutritional functions. Our objective was to quantify the establishment of these two species broadcast onto four seedbed treatments (1-none, 2- harrow, 3-disk, and 4-disk-seed-then-roll) at three sites in south central Montana. Site 1 was established in 2011 during above normal precipitation on a disturbed area with cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) grading to native western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii)/needle and thread (Hesperostipa comata) range. Sites 2 and 3 were established in 2012 during below normal precipitation on crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) pastures. Each site was divided into three replications to allow statistical evaluation using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Each replication was divided into four randomly arranged seedbed treatments; no treatment, harrow, disk, and disk and roll. The establishment of winterfat and forage kochia was measured by counting the number of seedlings within ten 4.8 square foot hoops placed every three paces through the plot. Establishment of both species was poor on the no seedbed and harrow treatments, improved slightly on the disked plots, and significantly improved where the seedbed was disked-seeded- and rolled. The results demonstrate the importance of good seed-to-soil contact for the establishment of conservation seedings. Disking followed by broadcast seeding and rolling seeds of these species, and others with similar seed ecology (like big sagebrush- Artemisia tridentata), is a method to improve species diversity, wildlife habitat, and summer/fall/winter forage quality on sites dominated by cheatgrass or crested wheatgrass. Winterfat densities in the disk-and-roll treatments were statistically greater than the densities of forage kochia, but the frequency was not statistically
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 109 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY different. This suggests winterfat and forage kochia can be introduced into pasture/range sites when broadcast on a disked seedbed, and that rolling after seeding to improve seed-to-soil contact will improve establishment.
Collaborative Restoration in Whychus Creek: Restoring Habitat for Salmon and Steelhead Reintroduction Session Chair: Ryan Houston | Upper Deschutes Watershed Council
Whychus Creek at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve: Restoring natural channel processes Cari Press, Paul Powers Historically Whychus Creek provided high quality spawning and rearing habitat for summer steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), and spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Much of the habitat was located in the low gradient broad valley reaches that have the potential to support diverse, high quality healthy complex habitat types for both fish and wildlife, which makes up only 35% of Whychus Creek’s overall length. Over the last 100 years however, channelization and other stream modifications along Whychus Creek have resulted in the loss of diverse high quality fish and wildlife habitat. As the reintroduction of anadromous fish proceeds, it is important to improve habitat conditions and provide fish passage to ensure that fish have and can access high quality diverse habitat in Whychus Creek. Restoration efforts are focusing on the depositional reaches found in the low gradient broad valley types along Whychus Creek such as at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. The design principles incorporated into the Camp Polk Meadow Preserve and other Whychus Creek designs are based on a natural channel evolution process. This is different than traditional restoration projects that typically engineer a balanced pattern, profile and dimension channel that efficiently transports the flow and sediment of a bankfull discharge. The intent of design methods used in the depositional reaches of Whychus Creek are to restore hydrologic processes such as floodplain connectivity that will encourage habitat development and a dynamic equilibrium that is typical for this valley type. It is expected that the Project site will continue to evolve and develop post implementation over several years as the site reacts to improved floodplain connectivity, retained sediments / nutrients and reestablished riparian vegetation throughout the valley floor. By restoring hydrologic processes the channels and floodplain will be better adapted to changing flow regimes, sediment regimes, and vegetation composition brought about by climate change.
Whychus Creek at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve: Restoring Wet Meadow Vegetation Karen Allen Camp Polk Meadow Preserve historically provided high quality habitat for summer steelhead, spring Chinook salmon, and a variety of wildlife along Whychus Creek that meandered through a large wet meadow complex. Starting in the 1870’s, homesteaders introduced livestock and pasture grasses to the meadow. Channelization moved the stream out of the meadow and caused groundwater levels to drop. Once wet meadows became dry meadows dominated by non-native species. With the reintroduction of anadromous fish to the upper Deschutes River basin, restoring natural channel processes in Whychus Creek and wet meadow and riparian vegetation along its banks and floodplain will greatly improve fish and wildlife habitat conditions. Restoration efforts along Whychus Creek are focusing on the low gradient broad valleys, as are found at Camp Polk Meadow Preserve. Project goals of restoring functioning meadow hydrology, including floodplain connectivity, an increase in groundwater levels and enhanced summer base flow allowed for restoration of diverse, complex riparian and wet meadow habitat along the stream corridor. A multi-phased restoration approach was used to ensure plants were established and banks stable prior to running full flows down the newly constructed channel. Revegetation planning and implementation included considerations for diversity and local adaptation in species selection for planting and seeding, zonation, watering, browse protection, weed management, and community involvement.
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Monitoring - Are We Making a Difference? Measuring the Effectiveness of Restoration Investments Lauren A. Mork Significant investments totaling $20M have been made to restore the stream conditions and processes necessary to support steelhead and Chinook salmon reintroduction in Whychus Creek. To track the ecological outcomes of restoration investments, the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and Bonneville Environmental Foundation established a 10-year, monitoring-intensive effort to evaluate changes in watershed conditions in Whychus Creek. Deschutes Partnership members developed a monitoring plan to guide implementation of a strategic, coordinated monitoring effort that corresponds directly to stated restoration goals and objectives. The plan outlines a limiting factors approach, leveraging data from agency, non-profit and private sector partners to track two biological and five physical indicators of restoration effectiveness at the watershed scale, not to establish cause and effect, but to quantify improvements in monitoring parameters as a measure of stream conditions as restoration progresses. Alongside watershed-scale monitoring, project-specific monitoring provides information about the success of discrete restoration projects. Monitoring data show clear and significant improvements in stream conditions in Whychus Creek, including increased summer base flow, substantial reductions in stream temperature, increased abundance of sensitive macroinvertebrates in the historically most impaired reaches of the stream, increased habitat connectivity, and a dramatic reduction in flows diverted through unscreened diversions. Results for some parameters are less clear, highlighting areas where additional or different information is needed. Monitoring thus elevates our understanding of the ecological outcomes of restoration actions and what we can expect future restoration actions to accomplish, while also providing information about which monitoring parameters are most useful as indicators of restoration effectiveness. Monitoring restoration effectiveness on Whychus Creek has proven critical to a strategic and successful approach to watershed restoration because it allows partners to maintain current data that support integrated analyses of stream conditions and actions and strategic prioritization of investments to maximize the habitat benefits of restoration actions.
Scaling-up Collaborative Riparian Stewardship in the Klamath River Basin Session Chair: Laura Van Riper | BLM-NRST
The Creeks and Communities Model: Blending the Biophysical and Social Dimensions of Riparian Stewardship Laura Van Riper Although riparian areas compose a relatively small percentage of the total land base, they provide communities with a variety of ecological, economic, and social benefits. In an effort to move beyond the conflict and controversy that often characterize riparian management, the National Riparian Service Team (NRST) and associated Creeks and Communities (C&C) Strategy was initiated in 1996 by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service, in partnership with Natural Resources Conservation Service, with the purpose of advancing cooperative riparian stewardship across the western US. The C&C place-based problem-solving assistance model is focused on bringing diverse groups of people together, working at the landscape level and beyond political boundaries, to create a common vision for productive and sustainable riparian conditions by incorporating technically correct information into processes that address the human and social dimensions of natural resource management. In response to a request for assistance, the NRST assembles an interdisciplinary team of natural resource and conflict resolution specialists to work with local scientists, managers, and stakeholders as they navigate technically complex and socially contentious riparian management issues. Emphasis is placed on bringing a high level of technical expertise, customized to a particular situation, while also facilitating dialogue, deliberation, relationship building and joint-fact finding among individuals who affect and are affected by riparian management decisions. Assistance efforts typically include a number of activities and span multiple years. The C&C model has been tested and refined over time in response to on-the-ground
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 111 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY experience across the western US and results of two external program evaluations. The model has not only demonstrated success in addressing riparian issues and conflicts; but has also helped move governance and policy toward the vision articulated by agency leadership. Furthermore, the approach is transferrable and can be applied to a much broader range of natural resource issues.
The Biophysical Dimension of Riparian Stewardship: Understanding Riparian Function Wayne Elmore Riparian areas are unique features that connect landscapes and communities, providing unlimited opportunities to bring people with diverse interests and backgrounds together to create a common vision for productive and sustainable conditions. Over the years, there has been growing agreement about the importance of these areas. However, there continues to be considerable disagreement about: (1) the existing conditions of these resources, (2) the types of uses that are appropriate, and (3) the treatments and tools available to restore them. Differences in perception regarding riparian function and expectations regarding the production of specific values are often at the heart of riparian-related conflicts. Individuals often approach the topic of riparian management focused on the values or benefits that these areas can produce rather than focusing on maintaining or restoring the physical processes that allow for the sustainable production of values over time. A critical component of creating a shared vision for riparian resources is the development of a shared vocabulary and understanding regarding the attributes and processes (i.e., the interaction of soil/landform, water, and vegetation) that produce values such as clean water, habitat, forage, recreation, etc. A focus on the physical functionality of riparian areas helps facilitate learning environments and builds a foundation for effective problem solving among scientists, managers, and stakeholders. It helps individuals identify the appropriate decision space, which then allows them to discover and work to advance their common interest resilient riparian areas) without giving up their values. Drawing upon historical photos and the results of a long-term study of riparian evolution (Bear Creek, OR), this presentation will describe the fundamentals of riparian function and its importance in resolving riparian conflicts.
Education Contributed Session Session Chair: Kolleen Yake | Upper Deschutes Watershed Council
Creating Bridges to Knowledge: Training Incarcerated Men and Women in Ecological Restoration Carl W. Elliott, Kelli Bush, Carri LeRoy The Conservation Nursery Program is a collaboration between the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) and the Sustainability in Prisons Project – Washington (SPP - WA). We aim to provide ample, regionally specific native plant material for the restoration of the Puget lowland prairies supporting the efforts of all agencies involved. The nursery program produces plants for regional seed production, plant species recovery and habitat enhancement for the federally listed Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori) and streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata). Regional land managers and agencies supported CNLM and SPP - WA‘s establishment of three nursery facilities to help achieve prairie restoration and species recovery goals. Two nurseries are located in Washington State corrections centers and one at the nursery facility managed by CNLM. The nurseries are supported by staff from SPP - WA and Washington Department of Corrections (WADOC) who train and supervise inmate technicians. The combined production of the three nurseries is 360,000 plants of 40+ species annually. All collaborators in the Conservation Nursery Program are able to see results and have their objectives met, creating win-win scenarios for all. The benefit of this collaboration for land managers and agencies is clear; they gain more plant material –and increased capacity for restoration. For WADOC, the gains are a low-cost training and education program that fosters strong community ties. The nursery program has developed a curriculum that includes technical instruction in nursery cultivation
112 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY combined with a series of inquiry-based projects. The goal is to directly engage the inmate technicians in all processes involved in cultivating the target plant species from basic safety to creating plant cultivation protocols. This presentation will highlight job training tools used to train technicians as well as how we educate and involve the technicians in scientific inquiry grounded in ecological restoration.
Integrating Youth with Forest Collaboration: Experience in the Blue Mountains of Oregon Elaine Eisenbraun, Susie Stuvland This panel will address the link between engaging youth in community level collaboration processes, with the goal of better social and ecosystem outcomes. We will share experiences engaging youth in both: data collection roles and collaborative decision processes. The presenters will discuss the application of these lessons to environmental issues in the Pacific Northwest. Youth tend see unique solutions to environment and community challenges. The opportunity exists through the collaborative process, to introduce teens to environmental conditions on the ground through data collection tasks. Following-up the field processes with problem solving which connects the resources to issues in their own communities, creates an inclusive process which could lead to a more practical community and ecological development approach today and in the future. Engaging people in collaborative landscape management from an early age, develops confidence in sharing personal voices, elevates broad understanding throughout the community, and intentionally involves tomorrow’s land managers in today’s decisions. Involvement of youth in collaborative processes increases the likelihood that decisions will be accepted by a wider array of community members. This presentation will raise awareness of the value that youth can contribute to the collaborative process that is currently enveloping the natural resource world. The Umatilla National Forest Collaborative has invited local youth from three different communities to participate in discussions and learning processes in the field and around the table. Initial findings recognize that teens bring new perspectives, represent community interests at the most heartfelt level, and influence desicions in new ways. The field processes integrate with academic standards, and the collaboration stimulates social engagement. The program is transferable to a broad variety of collaborative programs, bringing additional collaborative value to communities, resources, and youth. As collaborative programs mature, new means of engaging the community will become ever more critical. Youth offer new collaborative perspectives.
Collaborative Conservation with Veterans and Wounded Soldiers at Joint Base Lewis-McChord Dennis Aubrey, Jim Lynch, Tom Urvina, Dave Clouse Military bases serve as important refugia for many rare organisms and biomes, both nationally and worldwide. Military personnel represent an underutilized labor force for conservation, and in many cases could benefit from the therapeutic value of such work. Additionally, veterans transitioning to civilian employment could benefit from environmental job training and leadership development. The JBLM Fish and Wildlife Program, a world leader in rare species conservation and ecological restoration on military lands, is now instituting a program to train and employ wounded soldiers and transitioning veterans in environmental field work. In partnership with the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, Operation Warfighter, the JBLM Warrior Transition Battalion, and the Wounded Warrior Project, this program aims to turn soldiers into environmental stewards in order to protect and preserve the ecological value of military lands, while at the same time building resumes for veterans and providing a connection to nature for soldiers recovering from injury.
Collaborative Restoration and Education: A Service-Learning Approach to Ecological Restoration Margaret C. Boulay Service-learning is a pedagogical approach that allows students to apply their academic learning, gain professional skills, serve their community, and integrate their experiences through reflection. Service-learning can be used to effectively teach ecological concepts and skills through field-based projects. In addition to gaining
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 113 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY hands-on experience, students can interact with professionals and gain insights into potential careers. For community organizations, benefits include obtaining helpful services; educating students about their organization’s mission; fostering positive public relations; widening and diversifying job application pools; and demonstrating broad partnerships for cooperative grant applications. However, meeting both student learning objectives and community partner objectives requires a thoughtful, structured approach for choosing projects, designing field methodologies, and preparing students. Successful partnerships require balancing needs and mutually investing creative energy and resources (e.g., technical expertise, equipment and funding). The University of Oregon’s Environmental Leadership Program is a service-learning program that matches student teams with non-profit organizations, governmental agencies and businesses to address local environmental needs. We have addressed some riparian restoration topics since 2005. During the 2013-14 academic year, we created a new focus on ecological restoration. Four teams of 3-11 students took a preparatory course on ecological restoration then spent a term in the field doing site assessment and baseline data collection, restoration planning, stewardship activities, post-project monitoring and outreach in collaboration with our community partners. In Fall 2014, we are launching a conservation photography project called “Restoregon” which will invite students to interpret the term “restore” by capturing compelling images and creating a public art exhibit. I will present results from these projects to illustrate how service-learning projects can be collaboratively developed and implemented to achieve multiple goals. I will share lessons learned regarding successful project design and implementation, academic rigor and reflection, quality control, and team development.
Prairie Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Tom Kaye | Institute for Applied Ecology
Flood, Fire, and Forage: Reestablishing Oregon White Oak Woodlands in Southcentral Washington James R. Evans, Jonathan D. Bakker, Laura B. Colasurdo Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) woodlands have considerable value to wildlife and other forms of biodiversity in the East Cascades Ecoregion. However, habitat conversion, fire suppression, invasive species, and other factors have led to the decline and loss of this habitat. Restoration plantings are a strategy for reversing habitat loss and enhancing the resources available to wildlife populations confronting climate change. However, most research on restoring Oregon white oak woodlands in the Pacific Northwest has been conducted in the Willamette Valley-Puget Trough-Georgia Basin Ecoregion, where climate factors, especially summer drought, are much more moderate. We conducted two long-term outplanting trials using Oregon white oak seedlings in former agricultural fields in a semiarid valley in the foothills of central Washington. In the first trial, initiated in 2008, we tested the effects of seedling age (1- vs. 3-years old at planting), plastic mulch, tree shelters, and first-year irrigation on the survival and growth of bareroot seedlings. After Year 4 of the study overall survival was only 30%, but most seedlings that survived Year1 were still alive. Survival varied among treatments, with plastic mulch contributing the greatest advantage to survival. Wildfire swept through the study site in Year 5, and we will discuss its effects on sapling survival and recovery. In our second trial, initiated in 2011, we used container-grown seedlings to test the effects of different container sizes and types, including air-pruning pots. Year 3 survival was substantially higher than after the same interval during the bareroot trial, regardless of container type. We discuss the implications of the results of these two trials for the reestablishment of oak woodlands in suitable sites in the inland Northwest.
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Collaborative Oak and Prairie Habitat Restoration at Willamette University’s Zena Forest Karen Arabas, Patrick Reynolds, Briana Lindh We report on restoration and research efforts at Willamette University’s 300-acre Zena Forest field station and educational facility in the central Willamette Valley. Zena Forest is part of the largest remaining contiguous block of forested land in the Eola Hills of the central Willamette Valley, where Euro-American agriculture, urban and forestry activities have reduced the area of original oak habitat significantly. The long-term goal at the property is to enhance the fundamentally interrelated and collective function of upland oak habitat at the watershed scale within the context of our conservation easement as well as our educational mission. To that end we initiated habitat restoration activities on 130 acres of upland oak woodland and prairie habitat in 2009. As an educational institution with rich agency and community partnerships (ODFW, BPA, USFWS, NRCS, TMF and IAE, Salem-Keizer School District, The Forest Guild) we are in a unique position to undertake long-term data collection and analysis in permanent monitoring plots in our restoration units, as well as investigate drivers of landscape and habitat change at a variety of temporal and spatial scales. In this talk we present the results of our baseline vegetation monitoring in the prairie and oak woodland habitats, and the impacts of the restoration treatments (herbiciding, thinning, mowing) on the vegetation structure and composition in those units. Additionally, we summarize the work of a number of Willamette University students, whose research at broader scales has advanced our understanding of past climate and human impacts on the landscape. The synthesis of our monitoring work and broader scale research, in conjunction with the expertise of our community partners, has significantly enhanced our restoration efforts and will help to guide our decision making in the future.
The Role of Soil Moisture, Aspect and Seeding Rate in Upland Prairie Restoration Success in the Willamette Valley Briana Lindh, Madeline McClelland, Anna Freitas We report on restoration success in two upland prairies in Oregon’s Willamette Valley: Willamette University’s Zena prairie and Heritage Seedling’s Jefferson prairie. Prior to restoration at Zena, plots were dominated by Agrostis gigantea, while after restoration they were dominated by exotic Vicia species and by exotic annuals such as Galium parisiense, Myosotis discolor and Geranium dissectum. Over time, the community of exotic annuals shifted to one dominated by exotic perennial forbs, such as Hypochaeris radicata and Plantago lanceolata, mixed with Festuca roemeri, which was the only species that we seeded, and exotic grasses. Exotic grasses included persistent Agrostis, along with Holcus lanatus, whose invasion appeared to be facilitated by restoration. In plots that received multiple follow-up grass-specific herbicide applications, Festuca roemeri became the dominant grass by year four. Restoration failed in plots where we failed to eliminate Agrostis, and in valley plots with deep soils and high soil moisture where Holcus invaded. Festuca roemeri cover showed a hump- shaped relationship with soil moisture and depth, with abundance highest at mid-slope locations with intermediate moisture levels. The driest ridge plots were dominated by exotic annual grasses such as Vulpia myuris, but showed potential for restoration success when native forb plugs and bulbs were added. At Jefferson, restoration with a variety of forb and grass mixtures succeeded on south-facing plots (the majority of the site) and failed in plots with more northern aspects, in valleys and in the shade of savanna oaks, where Arrhenatherum elatius, Leucanthemum vulgare or Dipsacus fullorum dominated. Where higher planting densities of Festuca roemeri were used, plots had low diversity and resisted invasion by most exotics, but were still vulnerable to Arrhenatherum and Leucanthemum invasion.
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Equipment and Strategies to Enhance Establishment and Diversity of Post-fire Seedings in Former Wyoming Big Sagebrush Communities 2 Session Chair: Nancy Shaw | USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station
Effects of Drilling and Native Plant Seeding on Vegetation in the Northern Great Basin Jeffrey E. Ott, Nancy L. Shaw, Robert D. Cox, Michael Pellant Shrub-steppe ecosystems of the Great Basin are vulnerable to ecological degradation by soil erosion, weed invasion and loss of biodiversity following wildfire. Post-fire seeding is commonly carried out to stabilize and revegetate burned areas but requires careful consideration of plant materials and seeding techniques. Rangeland drills have long been used to plant non-native forage species and can also be used for native species if modified to accommodate different seeds and their seedbed requirements We carried out an operational- scale experiment to test the effectiveness of drill-seeding techniques for establishing native species and suppressing exotic annual weeds following wildfire at four Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata var. wyomingensis) sites in Idaho, Oregon and Utah. We compared a conventional rangeland drill with a minimum-till drill designed to reduce soil disturbance and provide greater precision in seed placement and burial. Both drills were equipped with extra boxes for small seeds that were broadcast on the soil surface in combination with chains or imprinters to enhance soil-seed contact. Seedling density and vegetation cover measurements from the first two years following treatment revealed that (1) large-seeded species generally established equally well with either drill, although Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) establishment was higher with the conventional drill at some sites, (2) small-seeded species established equally or more when broadcast from the minimum-till drill (equipped with imprinter units) than the conventional drill, (3) cover of residual native perennials varied by site but was not significantly affected by drilling and seeding, (4) at some sites, cheatgrass cover was lower in conventional drill treatments, (5) exotic annual forb cover was lower in seeded treatments for both drills at some sites, and (6) variation among sites could be attributed to differences in pre-burn site condition and post-fire weather patterns.
Exotic Plant Species and Soil Characteristics of Rehabilitation Seedings Following Wildfire in Northern Utah Ann L. Hild, Megan Taylor, Nancy L. Shaw Few studies address the impacts of native seedling establishment on exotic annuals. The Scooby wildfire site underwent rehabilitation seedings (13 experimental treatments) in November 2008 after a wildfire that September. Beginning in 2010, we monitored sites for the establishment of Halogeton glomeratus, Salsola kali and Bromus tectorum in controls and plots seeded with natives using one of two drill types (rangeland or minimum till drills). We sampled aboveground biomass of the invasives, volunteer species from the extant seed bank and seeded species the second and third growing seasons following seeding. We also sampled soil microbial communities in microsites beneath native perennial bunchgrasses and exotic annuals. On the Scooby site, high precipitation following seeding resulted in strong native seedling establishment regardless of the drill used. All treatments that were seeded with native species reduced the exotic biomass by at least 90% relative to unseeded controls. Soil microbial communities beneath B. tectorum, Poa secunda and Pseudoregneria spicata microsites differed little 3 years after the fire and seeding treatments. However microbial abundance beneath P. spicata was volatile and increased greatly from June to July, suggesting that soils should be sampled frequently within a growing season to clearly characterized trends in microbial communities. Our results demonstrate that in years of good seeding establishment, native seeded species can limit the return of exotic annuals.
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Linking Soil Erosion and Plant Recovery under Different Post-fire Seeding Techniques in Wyoming Big Sagebrush Communities Beth A. Newingham, Amy C. Ganguli, Jeffrey E. Ott, Nancy L. Shaw Post-fire rehabilitation is often carried out with multiple objectives, including soil and site stability, invasive plant control, and the establishment of desirable plant species. While post-fire monitoring examines the effects of rehabilitation treatments on vegetation, little is known about the effects on soil. Seed drills used for post-fire rehabilitation are designed to create desirable seedbed characteristics for perennial vegetation re- establishment. With increasing emphasis on utilizing diverse seed mixes in post-fire rehabilitation, drill modifications have been made to improve seedbed conditions and seed placement for plant establishment success. While the amount of soil disturbance caused by the various drills is visually different, nothing is known about how different drills affect soil properties. We compared the effects of the rangeland and a minimum-till drill on soil properties and plant establishment. Experimental sites were in sagebrush steppe communities dominated by Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis in Idaho and Utah. We report the effects of the two drills on soil microtopography, soil stability, and dust flux. We also link soil results with invasive and native plant establishment. Results indicate plant-soil feedbacks, including links between plant recovery and dust production. Feedbacks seem to occur regardless of invasive or native plant status. We recommend that future research and post-fire monitoring also include soil properties to further our understanding of ecosystem recovery after post- fire rehabilitation practices.
Fire and Seed Drilling Effects on Soil Water Infiltration in Great Basin Sagebrush Ecosystems Amy C. Ganguli, Beth A. Newingham Rangeland seed drills are designed to handle rough terrain and are used to create desirable seedbed characteristics for perennial vegetation re-establishment. With increasing emphasis on utilizing diverse seed mixes in restoration efforts, modifications have been made to drills to improve seedbed conditions and seed placement for establishment success. We investigated how physical modification of seedbed properties by two seed drills (rangeland and minimum-till) affects infiltration properties after wildfire at sites in Utah and Idaho. We measured infiltration for one year following fire and seeding on both sites and included a second year of sampling on burned and seeded treatments on the Idaho site. We measured infiltration with a mini-disk infiltrometer (2-cm suction) in unburned, burned, and burned plus drilled plots, measurements were also taken in furrows and areas intended for broadcast seed. At the Utah site, there were no differential effects of seed drills on infiltration rates. Furrows had greater infiltration rates than broadcast areas, however neither were different from infiltration rates in the control areas. In contrast, seedbed modification at the Idaho site had no effect on broadcast areas but rangeland drill furrows had higher infiltration in year one and both drills had higher infiltration in year two. At each site infiltration in the interspaces of the sagebrush canopy on non-burned plots were similar to burned controls, however, infiltration was considerably reduced under sagebrush canopy presumably due to subcritical water repellency. Differential effects of the seed drills on our sites are likely due to a combination of soil texture, soil chemistry, and soil erosion/deposition. Improved understanding of physical modifications of seed beds on hydrological properties could facilitate planning to promote seedling establishment and survival.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 117 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY
Physical Ecology of Ecological Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Stuart Hardegree | USDA Agricultural Research Service
Characterizing Drought Response Strategies in Western North American Perennial Grass Species and Ecotypes with Applications for Restoration Jennifer Balachowski, Pauline Bristiel, Florence Volaire One of the expected consequences of global climate change is an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme climate events, including severe droughts. This issue is particularly important in the Western United States where severe drought already imposes substantial short-term limitations on restoration project establishment, and may further challenge the long-term persistence of restored populations. While plant responses to moderate water deficit are well documented, we know little about the mechanisms and strategies that perennial plants use to survive and recover from severe drought. Surprisingly, this is true even for perennial grasses of Western North America that are known to be extremely drought-tolerant. To address this knowledge gap, we used controlled-environment experiments to quantify patterns of seasonal growth and responses to severe drought in eight perennial grass species commonly used in restoration in the American West. In addition, we quantified intraspecific variation in seasonal patterns and drought responses using several ecotypes of one species (Elymus glaucus, blue wildrye) collected along a strong coast-to-inland climate gradient in Northern California. Specifically, we characterized each species and ecotype according to the extent to which it relied upon each of three drought survival strategies: summer dormancy, dehydration tolerance, and dehydration avoidance. We then linked these strategies to seasonal patterns of growth, phenology, and reproductive output across the entire growing season, and determined which plant traits provide the best indicators of drought response. Our results indicate that perennial grasses use combinations of strategies to survive and recover from severe drought, and that species coexisting in the same climatic conditions can rely upon different primary strategies. We will also discuss applications of our work to selecting species and ecotype for use in restoration, and to designing restoration projects that are more robust to severe drought stress. Climate Change and Impacts in the Pacific Northwest Angela D. Jensen Climate Change is already having a significant impact on the Pacific Northwest. Our presentation addresses this and educates the audience on what climate change is and clarifies common misconceptions and synonymously used terminologies. We also discuss the causes of climate change and the importance of mitigation and adaptation efforts. At the center of this presentation, complete with 17 PowerPoint slides, we discuss the expected impacts relevant to the lifestyles and economies of the Pacific Northwest. Specific topics include impacts on coastal shoreline communities, weather patterns, water supply, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry. We also discuss specific mitigation measures that can be supported and encouraged into legislative action by the cumulative population and actions that can be taken on the part of individuals to reduce their “carbon footprint”- focusing on changing small behavioral patterns for significant overall reductions of CO2e as a community. Finally, we speculate as to the necessary adaptation efforts that may become required in the Pacific Northwest with respect to the expected impacts. Adaptation topics include supporting science, focusing on changes in agriculture and forestry practices, greater protections for riparian buffers, and increased shoreline protection.
118 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY
Patterns of Abundance of Principle Native and Non-native Species across Geographic Gradients in John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon Daniel M. Esposito, Ricardo Mata-Gonzalez, Tom Rodhouse
Sagebrush and bunchgrass-steppe ecosystems of the Columbia Basin have been dramatically altered through anthropogenic land use changes, and associated perturbations and landscape fragmentation. Remnant intact steppe communities are not well represented in the network of parks and protected areas within the region. Ecological resilience theory and related concepts of ecological thresholds and resistance (e.g., to invasion) provides a dynamic framework for understanding and coping with the ecological changes underway in these systems. The framework of resilience and resistance theory has increasingly been applied to rangelands in the Great Basin and hot deserts of the southwestern U.S. and it may also prove useful for managers of protected areas that are struggling with management and restoration decisions in the Columbia Basin. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) and nonlinear, non-parametric, multiplicative regression were used to investigate distributions of species across environmental variables. Interpretation of results was informed by the extensive body of literature which exists on resilience theory in these and similar systems. We found the topographic gradients slope and aspect to be correlated with the patterns of abundance of native and non- native invasive grass species. Our results are consistent with some current resilience and resistance theories. This analysis may be used to improve current understanding of the patterns of abundance of plant species within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument in order to advance both the development and applicability of resilience theory to Columbia Plateau ecology and provide necessary information to protected area managers so they may better understand the systems under their stewardship and make more effective management and restoration decisions.
Predicting Foundation Bunchgrass Species Abundances: Model Assisted Prioritization of a Protected Area Sagebrush Steppe Landscape for Restoration Tom Rodhouse, Kathi Irvine, Roger L. Sheley, Brenda Smith, Shirley Hoh, Daniel M. Esposito, Ricardo Mata- Gonzalez Foundation species are structurally dominant members of ecological communities influencing ecosystem resilience to disturbance and resistance to invasion. Being common, they are often overlooked as conservation targets but are increasingly threatened from biological invasions and accelerated global change. The pattern of foundation species abundances may be used to guide decision-making, particularly in protected areas for which they are iconic. Drawing on an extensive monitoring dataset, we used ordinal logistic regression to predict abundances of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoeregneria spicata), Thurber’s needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum), and Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) along gradients of topography, disturbance, and competitive invasive annual grass abundances across the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Our goal was to identify correlates of remnant bunchgrass communities and prioritize the landscape for implementation of Ecologically-Based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM). We found that remnant stands of wheatgrass and bluegrass were associated with steep north-facing slopes in higher and more remote portions of the landscape outside of recently burned areas where invasive annual grasses were less abundant. These areas represented only 25% of the landscape and were prioritized for protection efforts. Needlegrass was associated with south- facing slopes, but in low abundance and in association with the invasive annual cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Abundances of all three species were negatively correlated with medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae) occurrence. The rarity of bunchgrass stands across the landscape underscored the extent of degradation and the
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 119 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY need for prioritization. Our study area was entirely within the Wyoming big sagebrush ecological zone, understood to have inherently low resilience and invasion resistance. However, our study revealed important variation in apparent resilience and resistance along the topographic-soil moisture gradient within this zone that provides an important foothold for restoration and management decision-making. We found the foundation species focus a parsimonious strategy linking monitoring to decision-making via biogeographic modeling.
Scaling-up Collaborative Riparian Stewardship in the Klamath River Basin Session Chair: Laura Van Riper | BLM-NRST
The Social Dimension of Riparian Stewardship: Facilitating Collaborative Processes Mike Lunn Some of the most controversial debates in the US today concern the appropriate management of natural resources. Conflicts over natural resource management are frequently termed ‘wicked problems,’ and are characterized by: (1) technical complexity, little scientific agreement, and incomplete information; (2) regulatory complexity, and inequalities in distribution of political power, resources, and access to information; and (3) diverse, multidimensional, and often competing values and goals. Wicked problems are typically clusters of interrelated or interdependent issues that cannot be resolved in relative isolation from one another; and they often have more than one possible solution - each with differing tradeoffs and levels of uncertainty regarding outcomes. Successful negotiation of wicked problems requires a re-examination of management approaches in order to move beyond traditional problem-solving strategies. Historically, natural resource policy, planning, and management in the US has been more attentive to and adept at addressing the biophysical dimension; while social processes have not been adequately understood or addressed. The resulting tension has spawned distrust, inaction, polarization and litigation between citizens, agencies and organizations. One area where these tensions have been and continue to be evident is in the management of riparian resources. The Creeks and Communities strategy is grounded in the belief that by bringing together the right people, in constructive ways, with good information, they will produce better decisions (more informed, effective, sustainable and popular), improved relationships, and sustainable landscapes and communities. Recognizing that a recipe for collaborative problem-solving does not exist, this presentation will focus on consensus-based facilitation tools and techniques that foster the creation of safe spaces for dialogue and deliberation, relationship and trust building, mutual learning and the creation of a shared vision among diverse individuals.
Scaling-Up Collaborative Riparian Stewardship in the Klamath River Basin Using the Creeks and Communities Model Laura Van Riper Since the early 2000s, National Riparian Service Team (NRST) members and their affiliates have worked throughout the Klamath Basin to foster dialogue, learning and coordination among the federal agencies, Klamath tribes, landowners, and non-governmental organizations. NRST assistance centered on building interest in riparian restoration, guiding local individuals and organizations towards methodologies that focus on riparian function as a foundation for restoration, and helping to create agreements over riparian management and monitoring. This seminal work laid a foundation for the riparian guidelines set forth in the Upper Klamath Basin Comprehensive Agreement (UKBCA), a historic agreement signed on April 18, 2014 to restore fisheries and stabilize the agricultural community after decades of division between the various stakeholders in the basin. Central to these guidelines is a landowner commitment to achieve riparian restoration and monitor to ensure the maintenance or trend toward riparian proper functioning condition. The overarching, long-term outcome of the riparian program is to re-establish and/or maintain the full expression of successional dynamics of the riparian plant community within riparian management corridors as a critical step in restoring habitat for several
120 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY listed fish species that also have high cultural values to the several Tribal nations within the Basin. In exchange, the Klamath Tribes agree not to preemptively exercise their senior water rights. In the end, this unique agreement will restore 233 miles of interlocking stream reaches and provide critically important spawning and rearing habitat for the suckers, salmon, steelhead, and native redband trout. This presentation will describe the activities undertaken by the NRST and their affiliates in their attempt to build capacity among individuals and groups within the basin to confront and resolve the biophysically and socially complex and contentious issues they faced. Over time efforts were scaled-up from the Yainix Ranch, to Sprague River Watershed, to the entire Upper Klamath River Basin.
Urban Restoration Contributed Session Session Chair: Mary Bushman | City of Portland Bureau of Environmental Services
10 Years of Successful Collaboration Among Rural and Urban Partners – Individual Project to Landscape Scale – in Washington County, Oregon Laura G. Porter, Nicole Ahr, Logan Lauvray, Kristen Taylor Clean Water Services (District), a water resources management utility west of Portland, Oregon, has built and strengthened partnerships with the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), Friends of Trees, SOLVE and many others. As a result of this collaboration, we have planted over 4 million trees and shrubs, restored over 60 miles of riparian area, and enhanced 15,000 acres in the Tualatin Basin. We credit success to extensive partnerships and capacity building throughout the urban and rural areas of Washington County. By collaborating with the Tualatin SWCD, we have added incentives to the USDA’s Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and enrolled over 60 farmers in the riparian planting program. By partnering with Friends of Trees, SOLVE, and others, we’ve reached into our cities and schools for volunteer tree planting events and built project ownership. The collective impact keeps the watershed healthy through improved water quality, habitat, resilience, and long-term local ownership. And, as the old adage “success breeds success” goes, we anticipate partnering on more large-scale projects with USFWS and Metro in the near future. The genesis of this program, Tree For All, was a 2004 watershed-based permit issued to the District with daunting temperature requirements that included provisions for water-quality trading. The District was faced with a choice to build expensive chillers at the end of our wastewater treatment plants or release stored water from a reservoir and plant trees. The District chose the latter and challenged its member cities and itself to plant 2 million trees in ten years. Based on the relationships developed, capacity built, and planning completed, there is a new challenge: Plant one million, in one year, for one water (www.JoinTreeForAll.org). This challenge, starting in September 2014, will celebrate a decade of success and ready us for the next decade.
Lower Willamette Natural Area Collaborative Restoration Tonia Burns, Bill Norris, Justin Isle, Ben Johnson Parks, neighbors, non-profits, agencies, cities and a wide variety of public volunteers both individuals and businesses are partnering to improve natural area elements within Spring Park Natural Area. The project aims to enhance ecological functions for fish and wildlife, improve watershed health awareness, provide community stewardship opportunities, increase educational opportunities, and enhance access to nature along this highly degraded section of the Lower Willamette. This biodiversity hotspot is important to restore complex off-channel habitat for ESA listed fish species coming from upper Clackamas and other Willamette tributaries, and to restore riparian, floodplains, Oregon White oak, cottonwood gallery and wetland habitat. Unique designs have been drawn to achieve the wide array of goals and objective set forth by this long time community driven project. We will summarize the committed partnerships, funding mechanisms (multiple grants), preliminary designs and permitting, education, outreach and stewardship and monitoring strategy.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2014 | REDMOND, OR 121 ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY
Are We There Yet? The Green Seattle Partnership Turns 10 Michael T. Yadrick, Lisa A. Ciecko, Oliver F. G. Bazinet, Jillian Weed The Green Seattle Partnership (GSP) is a unique public-private venture dedicated to restoring 2,500 acres of forested parklands by 2025. With over 500,000 volunteer hours, work ongoing at 80 different parks, and several thousand volunteer events annually, the partnership has seen much success. Now almost 10 years into the 20 year program, we are asking ourselves, “Are we there yet?” This talk will focus on how we have tracked restoration, developed thresholds for success, and will identify some of the trends influencing future restoration efforts in the largest urban forest restoration effort in the nation. To track restoration progress, GSP uses a combination of data collection methods. Baseline data collection in 2000 was used to develop “Tree-iage,” a restoration prioritization system that categorizes sites by invasive plant cover and existing tree cover. Work is reported by volunteers, contractors, and parks staff using a data portal, called CEDAR. Rapid inventory and mapping of restoration sites is carried out annually, and to provide more details about change over time, a plot- based monitoring program also exists. In the last several years, target ecosystems have been identified for all sites to guide restoration efforts and provide thresholds in which to measure success. As we make decisions about work planning and restoration best practices, the thresholds are starting to guide our approach, especially in understanding when we have reached the phase of long term maintenance. Data suggests a continued issue with invasive woody species in restored sites, as well as needs for higher plant diversity, and increased conifer cover. In addition, many questions exist about the applicability of these target systems in an urban environment given the fragmented condition of much of Seattle’s parklands as well as the influence of climate change.
Kincaid Ravine: A Case Study of Collaborative Restoration in a Small Urban Forest on the University of Washington Campus in Seattle, Washington Jim Cronan, Martha Moritz, Matt Schwartz This case study provides an overview of the Kincaid Ravine Project, a student led initiative to increase the ecological and educational value of a previously unmanaged 4 acre tract of urban forest through ecological restoration treatments. Like many tracts of urban forests in the Puget Sound region Kincaid Ravine has an overstory of early seral native species but a large fraction of the understory vegetation is comprised of invasive species which have reduced biological diversity at the site and changed forest succession by inhibiting establishment of shade tolerant tree species. This tract of land also represents an unused and degraded public green space in a city whose residents place a high value on parks, outdoor recreation, and healthy ecosystems. Seeing the potential for Kincaid Ravine as an intact example of Puget Sound lowland forest, an educational tool for the University of Washington and as community green space, a grant was secured from the University of Washington to initiate restoration at this site though collaborative relationships with the University, students, non-profit organizations, local government, and the broader community. Restoration of Kincaid Ravine encompasses the goals described in the City of Seattle’s Urban Forest Stewardship Plan and in many ways mirrors restoration projects taking place in small urban forests throughout the region. This presentation will detail project goals, steps taken to restore the site, challenges of restoration in urban areas, metrics being used to gauge success, and future plans.
122 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
STEERING COMMITTEE Jim Hallett, SER Northwest Allison Warner, SER Northwest Abstracts Chair Conference Co-Chair, Sponsorships Co-Chair Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA Tulalip Tribes of Washington,Tulalip, WA Anne Halford, SER Great Basin Rolf Gersonde, SER Northwest Workshops Co-chair Conference and Program Committees Co-Chair USDI Bureau of Land Management, Boise, ID Seattle Public Utilities, Seattle, WA Russ Lawrence, SER Northwest Nancy Shaw, SER Great Basin Workshops Co-chair Conference Co-chair, SER Great Basin StreamFix, Oregon City, OR USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, Boise, ID Ricardo Mata-Gonzalez, SER Great Basin Stuart Hardegree, SER Great Basin Poster Session Co-chair Program Committee Co-chair USDI Bureau of Land Management, Boise, ID USDA Agricultural Research Service Fort Collins, CO and Boise, ID Emily Platt, SER Northwest Poster Session Co-chair Berta Youtie, SER Great Basin PhD Candidate, College of Forestry, Oregon State Arrangements and Field Trip Committees Co-chair University, Corvallis, OR Eastern Oregon Stewardship Services and Deschutes Basin Seed Bank, Prineville, OR Matt Fisk, SER Great Basin Student Papers Chair, Student Volunteer Co-Chair Keith Nevison, SER Northwest USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station, Boise, ID Arrangements Committee Chair Graduate Fellow in Public Horticulture, Longwood ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE Graduate Program, University of Delaware Keith Nevison, SER Northwest Matt Horning Arrangements Committee Chair Field Trip Committee Co-chair Graduate Fellow in Public Horticulture, Longwood USFS Deschutes National Forest Service, Bend, OR Graduate Program, University of Delaware
Frank Reckendorf, SER Northwest Alaine Sommargren, SER Northwest Finance Committee Chair Publicity and Registration Chair Reckendorf and Associates, Salem, Oregon Natural Resources Specialist, Mercer Island, WA Lisa Chang, SER Northwest PROGRAM COMMITTEE Student Volunteer Co-Chair Region 10 US EPA, Seattle, Washington Mike Pellant, SER Great Basin Technical Sessions Co-chair Matt Orr, SER Northwest USDI Bureau of Land Management, Boise, ID Field Trip Co-Chair Instructor of Biology, Oregon State University- Carleen Weebers, SER Northwest Cascades, Bend, Oregon Symposia Chair Lecturer ,Restoration Ecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
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124 2014 JOINT CONFERENCE | SERNW & SERGB CONFERENCE CENTER MAP
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