Partnering Together to Reduce Hazardous Fuels and Enhance Wildlife Habitat on Mendocino National Forest
WILLOWS, Calif. — The Mendocino National Forest entered into agreements in 2017 on a project with the Mendocino County Blacktail Association and the Mule Deer Foundation in a 600-acre area that has been the focus of wildlife habitat improvement and hazardous fuels reduction as funds were available. As a result of this partnership, 170 acres of thinning were accomplished with contributions by partners and agency funds.
The Forest identified a need to improve watershed and wildlife habitat conditions and to protect resources by minimizing the risk of a large, destructive wildfire in the area of Atchison Campground near the Black Butte Wild and Scenic River on the Covelo Ranger District. In the project area, oaks were being encroached upon by conifers and the crowded conditions resulted in the hardwoods being more susceptible to insects, disease and severe wildfire occurrence. Large portions of the project area fall within key winter and summer deer ranges and oaks play an important part for deer where acorns provide food in late summer, fall and early winter. Browsing on oak leaves and twigs is also very important for deer in early spring when the new growth emerges.
Work on the project included mechanically thinning conifer and mixed hardwood trees less than 10 inches in diameter and leaving tree spacing up to 25 feet. The thinning left the biggest and most desirable trees – trees that are free from disease and insects. The mechanical treatments on the Baseball Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Fuels Reduction project were completed in late 2018. The next step will be to conduct prescribed fires in the area.
Fuels Specialist Hinda Darner said, “We share common goals with the Mendocino County Blacktail Association and Mule Deer Foundation to improve forest health, enhance wildlife habitat, increase recreation and hunter opportunities and decrease the risk of destructive wildfires. These shared goals contributed to the success of this project. We look forward to future forest health improvement projects with our partners.”
The Baseball Wildlife Habitat Improvement and Fuels Reduction project of the USDA Forest Service, Mendocino National Forest, is voluntarily funded in part by the Mendocino County Blacktail Association and the Mule Deer Foundation.
The Mendocino County Blacktail Association" https://www.mcbadeer.com/ is working with the US Forest Service in the Mendocino National Forest to conserve and restore the blacktail deer to this area. Donations to help support this project are appreciated and can be sent to: Mendocino County Blacktail Association, P.O. Box 1357, Willits, CA 95490. Attn. Paul Trouette, CEO.
Media Contact: Punky Moore
530-934-1137
sjmoore@fs.fed.us