Part of conservation plan
CHENEY — Beginning Jan. 16, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will initiate targeted fuels reduction in northern areas of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.
Visitors to the refuge may notice heavy machinery entering and exiting roadways during this time. As part of the ongoing forest management program outlined in the Refuge’s comprehensive conservation plan, this tree thinning effort supports management efforts that "restore aspen and ponderosa pine forests to a natural distribution of stand structure and successional stages to benefit wildlife."
Historical pine stocking levels on Turnbull were 15 to 35 trees per acre (TPA) within the refuge.
Overseeing historic Ponderosa pine tree densities provides conditions in which less trees die from wildfire and reduces individual tree competition for water and nutrients.
This improves forest health and reduces wide-spread beetle infestation among trees.
Current areas scheduled for treatment range from 100 to 500 TPA or more, with most pine trees competing with aspen for resources.
Aspen is a keystone species in the refuge for wildlife ranging from migratory songbirds, elk, amphibians, and more.
In addition to providing wildlife habitats, aspen can function as a barrier to fire spread, a benefit that reduces the effects of catastrophic wildfire.
Turnbull has lost approximately 65 percent of its historical aspen stands due to cattle grazing, pine encroachment, and a lack of fire on the landscape.
Removal of pines around the remaining aspen stands will reduce competition for water, sunlight, and root space.
Fewer pines will reduce lower burnable vegetation also.
By reducing fuel loads, aspen stands are more resilient to wildfire and prescribed fire. This will increase areas for successful aspen regeneration and spur a positive gain of aspen acreage and an overall net benefit for wildlife.
For more information about the scheduled timber harvest, please contact Cassie Roeder, Refuge Manager, at [email protected] or (509) 559-3021.
Matthew graduated from West Virginia University-Parkersburg in 2011 with a journalism degree. He's an award-winning photographer and enjoys writing stories about people.
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