Embedded Files
Grant Overview: Our team wrote a grant application for Willamalane Park and Recreation so that they may acquire more funding to continue management efforts for oak restoration at Thurston Hills Natural Area in Springfield, Oregon. We utilized research to compose a problem statement which gave an overview of threats to the ecosystem and provided a brief look at land management projects that have occurred within THNA. We finalized a solutions statement which detailed how the goals in the grant will be met, and learned how to estimate costs of the implementation of restorative actions to create a budget within our management plan. This grant will be submitted to the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board this upcoming fall.
Management Plan: Within our grant is a management plan for the project site which includes the following solutions:
Improve community structure: Return the current community structure to reflect Oregon white oak habitat by removing invasive species such as blackberry (Rubus armeniacus), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), and False brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum).
Improve habitat structure: Increase the presence of plant and animal species by improving habitat quality through actions such as girdling conifers to create snags, and create downed log habitat for reptiles and amphibians.
Optimal oak growth: Optimize and support oak woodland and savanna habitat structure to provide long-term survival of legacy oaks by managing the encroachment of woody vegetation and conifers.
Enhance local experiences with engagement and educational opportunities by focusing on public visibility: Engage the community in ongoing restoration in locations where benefits can be reaped by the community, using interpretive signage, and offering community science bird outings.
Create habitat resiliency to reduce fire risk: Create a more optimal habitat entering climate change by maintaining forest openings, removing non-native trees, mowing near roads, and controlling highly flammable invasive species. Maintain habitat longterm through control of invasive species, mowing every 1-3 years, employing volunteers to implement hand removal, and implement foot brushes at trail entrances to reduce spread of invasive species.
Field Data: Due to COVID-19, we were unable to go out into the field as a team for the duration of our project in the Thurston Hills Natural Area. Thankfully, we were able to rely on the data created and reports curated from the 2018-2019 Oregon Oaks ELP Team which informed our decisions. Particularly, we used information regarding presence of oaks and urgency of restoration from the previous ELP team and determined the focus area of the grant application and restoration management plan. We are extremely grateful that despite these less than ideal circumstances, we were able to lean on the hard work done by fellow students in ELP to continue to support our community partners.
Oregon Oaks 2019
Photos taken by 2019 Oaks team
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