Recommendations

Deep ecological and cultural conscience should be at the epicenter of recreational development. We recommend consultations for tribal involvement in management. Willamalane should consult with Kalapuya people, now included in the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Confederated Tribes of Siletz, whose ancestors managed land in the area for thousands of years, to begin a process of collaborative decision making. Local tribal members are currently involved in a similar collaborative management project with the Long Tom Watershed Council. In the project, private landowners and tribal members are working to ensure tribal access for traditional practices and incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into management decisions.

Invasive plant community eradication should be given topmost priority, with a primary focus on Himalayan blackberry. Other invasive species include shining geranium and false brome. Eradication should be implemented prior to further restoration efforts to minimize on site spreading from logging tools and other equipment used for conifer removal or trail construction. To prevent recolonization and continue management efforts, native forbs and grasses can be seeded to establish an understory community after invasive species removal with methods such as mowing and spraying. With the removal of invasive species and establishment of natives, conifer removal is the next necessary step in oak restoration.

Conifer removal and girdling, a method of killing involving cutting through bark all the way around a tree, is recommended after invasive removal to release the oak canopy. Stands targeted for thinning should consider the density of urgent and high priority oaks, number of suppressant conifers, and feasible access. The figure to the left shows the recommended management areas. Priority level took into consideration the density of urgent priority level of oaks, access, and conifer density.

Currently, THNA is being managed as a park, and the team had to consider recreational opportunities along with oak habitat management goals. Recreational trail implementation is a goal in the THNA management plan, and placement should consider ecological impact of oak savannas and camas while maximizing educational and leisure opportunities for patrons. Trails should run near, rather than through fields of camas and oak savannas to provide views and educational opportunities. Trail placement should also give a wide berth to game trails to maintain natural food webs.