04-28-15 Field Note

04-28-15 Field Note

April 28, 2015

Jeff Clarke's field note documents the hard working field crew clearing roads, transplanting basin wildrye, and pulling fence.

Download (2.57 MB)

Basin wild rye transplanting, prescribed burning, goldfish, currant, clematis

Every winter, freeze/thaw events cause large rocks to tumble down the steep hillsides in the boondocks. Many of these rocks land on the flat roads. Every spring the field crew removes the tire-popping obstacles.

We had to conclude our basin wild rye transplant project last week due to dry soil conditions. In 2 ½ weeks we transplanted a couple thousand plants to the field near the entrance. Next spring we will add more to the open spaces.

The field crew burned some areas to make tree planting easier. The location in the photos was once an apple orchard. It will become a more plentiful orchard again this year!

Two weeks ago I introduced 50 goldfish to five different stock tanks (250 total). Most continue to survive! We hope that they clean the tanks and feed on mosquito larvae.

The virgin’s bower that we planted around the orchard last year continues to thrive. This year we will use string to encourage the vines to move upward.