Buck and Rail Fences, Prescribed Burn, River Clean Up

Buck and Rail Fences, Prescribed Burn, River Clean Up

October 24, 2017

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By: Jeff Clarke

Restoration Projects:

Jeff Clarke's late October field note shows Aspen recruitment success, fall splendor, and some unique items found along the Bitterroot River.

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Buck and rails, exclosure removal, prescribed burning, river clean up

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The trees and shrubs we planted near the Corral Spring took advantage of the endless water source. The metal exclosures that protected them became packed with vegetation, but the plants that ventured beyond the metal boundary were consumed right away.

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We replaced the restrictive metal exclosures with larger buck and rail fences. The new fences will allow the shrubs and trees to expand outward; they will also allow smaller mammals to take advantage of the fruits within.

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We also replaced the metal exclosures that protected the orchard along Sheep Camp draw. Next year we will watch to see if bears take advantage of the now accessible fruit trees

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Four years ago we placed a metal exclosure around a large cluster of aspens that had been mowed to the ground by ungulates. This year, the aspens are more than ten feet tall, two inches in diameter, and so thick they are tough to walk through!

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We reused the metal exclosure material at a nearby site. In four years we should see another grove of ten foot tall aspens.

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The field crew carried out a couple prescribed burns in wheat fields. The goal was to remove some of the wheat and cheatgrass seeds and to expose the new growth to a herbicide application.

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We tried to burn each field in a complete manner, but some areas just didn’t want to burn.

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Every fall we walk the ranch’s riverbanks and collect all the rubbish that washed ashore. We found more this year than ever before. Some of the more unique items were: a radio, canoe, patio umbrella, fishing poles, tires, and a fake potted plant.

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Three years ago we placed exclosures around a few browsed ponderosa pines to see if we could bring them back. It worked! As a result, we protected several more ponderosa pines in the Clubhouse Floodplain.

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The crew planted 400 forb plugs that Prairie grew into native areas on Baldy’s summit and South Baldy Ridge. The goal was to increase forb diversity and fill in open niches.

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We matted a few new patches of reed canary grass in preparation for next spring’s willow plantings.

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A severe windstorm swept across the ranch, strewing old weak bones across the floodplains.

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A bear deposited a pile of seeds and fur near the Clubhouse Pond

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Ole Gymsock has been petrified of snakes his entire life. He has made significant strides in conquering that fear.

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Not all seasons are created equal.