Tree replacement program…coming soon

While one of the main goals of SJWWII is to restore riparian systems, the seed source of invasive trees extends well beyond riparian areas, especially in urban and exurban areas, where Russian olive trees have been planted as ornamentals.  Because Russian olive seeds are mainly dispersed by birds and because birds are attracted to riparian areas, seeds are readily transferred back and forth between riparian and upland areas.  Therefore, there is a compelling need to eradicate these trees from upland areas, including urban and exurban yards. 

Program concept

SJWWII will start a pilot program in Durango, Colorado.  The City of Durango is an appropriate location to start a tree replacement program for several reasons:

• It is upstream from the general infestation with very little infestation above the valley.
• There is a city arborist available for consultation.
• There is already mapping that has been partially completed in the area.
• A demonstration site (Cundiff Park on the Animas River) has been established to provide restoration effort data.
• It is a doable project.
• The tree replacement program will be managed by SJINCR and coordinated by Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D).

The program will consist of five major components or phases:

1.             Development of a web-based (front end) computer program.  A web-based computer program is being developed by Fort Lewis College that will allow residents using the internet to (1) provide information about their Russian olive and/or tamarisk trees, (2) request replacement trees, and (3) determine status of their request.  The program will also allow anyone to be able to track the quantifiable state of the program, e.g., how many trees have been removed, and how many (and of what kind) they have been replaced with.  The program will also allow us to populate GIS-based maps with locations of existing and removed invasive trees as well as replacement trees.

2.             Identification of all Russian olive and tamarisk trees within the Animas Valley and in the City of Durango.  This will be accomplished through existing databases, inventories, and mapping.  We will add to this database as trees are reported.

3.             Campaign to join the program.  A wide-scale campaign will be initiated through numerous sources, including (but not limited to) mailings and public service announcements (radio, TV, newspapers).  A database of property owners with Russian olive will be established and tracked through all phases.

4.             Eradication and tree replacement.  Replacement trees will be purchased in bulk quantity at reduced cost from wholesale nurseries.  The trees will be at least 6 feet tall, and a wide variety of non-invasive choices will be made available.  Information brochures or fact sheets will be available on benefits, potential risks (e.g., habitat for wildlife, fruit trees attract bears), and tree needs for all trees available through the program.  The potential partners that may be involved include, but are not limited to the Southwest Conservation Corps, Fort Lewis College students, Durango High School students (need to do a minimum of 20 hours of community service as a graduation requirement), and youth clubs. 

5.             Documentation and evaluation.  Film documentation and interviews with willing property owners and city staff will contribute an important component to the overall documentation of the river restoration and eradication program.  The success of the project will be evaluated in terms of (1) quantifiable objectives: number of willing participants, number and percent of trees replaced, and (2) qualified objectives: satisfaction of citizens based on interviews and surveys. 

Transferability of model

The benefits of this project extend well beyond the immediate scope of the project because it can provide a model for other urban areas, including those immediately downstream on the Animas.  Therefore, the program will be readily transferable to other communities and other regions.