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Tree replacement program…coming September 2009

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.