California

Grigsby Aspen Project

By George C. Garcia, Wildlife, Fish & Rare Plants Program Manager, Plumas National Forest

The Grigsby Aspen Enhancement Project began during a lunch time conversation between District Conservation Dan Martynn and Plumas National Forest Wildlife Program Manager George Garcia while discussing partnerships, volunteers and working with limited budgets.

The conversation centered around a small grove of Aspen within the Grigsby Unit of the Upper Trosi Allotment on the Plumas National Forest. The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) had provided some limited fencing supplies to exclude livestock grazing within a 6 acre aspen grove and spring, and to relocate two watering troughs near the spring to a site that would lie outside the fenced aspen grove. Since Plumas Wildlife funds were already dedicated to other projects, the Plumas decided to contribute staff time to coordinate volunteers for the project. George, who also happens to be a member of the local Plumas County Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation, called upon his fellow chapter members to help out with the project.

The first volunteer day was held on Sept. 27, 2008, in celebration of both National Hunting and Fishing Day (www.nhfday.org) and National Public Lands Day (www.publiclandsday.org).  Personnel from the Plumas NF, NRCS, and volunteers Plumas County Chapter and the Upper Trosi Permittees were on hand to lay out the fence, install all the fence post and complete a section of fence.

The second volunteer day was held on Nov. 8, 2008, with more help from volunteers of the Plumas County Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation, the Plumas NF and NRCS. The remaining sections of fence were completed, and the trough relocation was initiated and completed as well. Funding for the second volunteer day was provided by a grant from the Plumas County Fish & Game Commission which paid for the remaining fence materials, waterline and miscellaneous plumbing supplies and rent for a trencher that was used to bury the water line connecting the spring and two troughs.

The Grigsby Project enhanced the six-acre aspen grove by eliminating grazing pressure on young aspen seedlings and saplings, reducing trampling within and near the spring source by re-location of the two watering troughs outside the fenced aspen grove and at a farther distance from the spring source.

This project was supported by volunteer labor from members of the Plumas County Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation (www.muledeer.org), financial assistance by the Plumas County Fish & Game Commission, contributions by the Upper Trosi Permittees, and Cabela’s (www.cabelas.com) who is a corporate sponsor of National Hunting & Fishing Day events, and who donated thank you items to the volunteers. Agency contributions were made by the Natural Resource Conservation Service, Plumas National Forest Wildlife Staff and the Beckwourth Ranger District Range Staff.

For more info visit Plumas National Forest Web site.