09-29-2007, 02:10 AM
In addition to providing better rangeland for wildlife and livestock, the project that's underway should reduce the number of fires in the area.
The Bureau of Land Management and the Division of Wildlife Resources are working together on this project in the West Coal Creek area. The project should run through October.
Removing pinyon-juniper trees
Part of the project involves breaking up expanses of pinyon-juniper woodland using heavy equipment. Called "bullhogs," this equipment grinds up the trees.
Land managers and wildlife biologists are not removing all of the pinyon-juniper trees, however. They're leaving patches of trees in random patterns. These patches will provide movement corridors for wildlife, and offer them a place to escape and rest. The patches will also protect wildlife from wind and temperature extremes.
After most of the trees are removed, an airplane flies over the area and drops a mix of shrub and grass seeds. This seed mix should provide excellent forage to a variety of wildlife.
Photo by Brent Stettler
Even though pinyon-juniper trees provide some benefits to wildlife, in this area they've taken over the rangeland. Plants that are more desirable to wildlife can't grow.
A variety of wildlife
The area that's being treated overlaps important seasonal habitat for many wildlife species. For example, it's important winter range for deer and elk. It's also home to coyotes, foxes, squirrels, cottontails and jackrabbits. A variety of songbirds and raptors also live in the area.
People use the area for hiking, biking, camping, hunting and off-road riding.
The area also has rich coal and gas reserves.
For more information about the project, call the DWR's Southeastern Region office at (435) 636-2060.
The Bureau of Land Management and the Division of Wildlife Resources are working together on this project in the West Coal Creek area. The project should run through October.
Removing pinyon-juniper trees
Part of the project involves breaking up expanses of pinyon-juniper woodland using heavy equipment. Called "bullhogs," this equipment grinds up the trees.
Land managers and wildlife biologists are not removing all of the pinyon-juniper trees, however. They're leaving patches of trees in random patterns. These patches will provide movement corridors for wildlife, and offer them a place to escape and rest. The patches will also protect wildlife from wind and temperature extremes.
After most of the trees are removed, an airplane flies over the area and drops a mix of shrub and grass seeds. This seed mix should provide excellent forage to a variety of wildlife.
Photo by Brent Stettler
Even though pinyon-juniper trees provide some benefits to wildlife, in this area they've taken over the rangeland. Plants that are more desirable to wildlife can't grow.
A variety of wildlife
The area that's being treated overlaps important seasonal habitat for many wildlife species. For example, it's important winter range for deer and elk. It's also home to coyotes, foxes, squirrels, cottontails and jackrabbits. A variety of songbirds and raptors also live in the area.
People use the area for hiking, biking, camping, hunting and off-road riding.
The area also has rich coal and gas reserves.
For more information about the project, call the DWR's Southeastern Region office at (435) 636-2060.