Guest Blogger: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Representative
Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative Participation: I have participated in the Southern Willamette Forest Collaborative for many years in various capacities. The collaborative provides a constructive platform for diverse groups, agencies, and members of the public to share ideas and prospective in a respectful and productive atmosphere.
Envisioning a Healthy Rigdon Landscape
A healthy Rigdon landscape supports the type of habitat that should be there under natural ecological processes. These natural processes have been altered by conflicting land management activities and the interruption of natural processes. In the long term healthy, naturally functioning ecosystems will be less expensive to maintain and more resilient to anticipated climate change.
The Rigdon landscape encompasses four Middle Fork Willamette sub-watersheds south of Oakridge, Oregon. Click the map to the right to enlarge.
Visiting the Rigdon Landscape
I have both worked and recreated within the Rigdon Landscape for over 17 years. My professional involvement with the Rigdon project began in 2006 long before it was called Rigdon.
Changes Throughout the Years
Many of the large pine and oak trees we are trying to conserve have died since I began working on this project before it was called Rigdon. Semi‑open pine and oak stands have also been invaded by regenerating Douglas‑fir trees, exerting additional stress on the remaining pine and oaks. The shrub and forb understories are converting to barren areas of needle cast. Wildlife associated with pine and oak habitat are also diminishing. The remaining pine and oak habitats in the Rigdon project area will be lost if this project is not implemented.
Favorite Memory
My favorite memory in the Rigdon area was seeing the positive response of pine and oak associated plant and wildlife species to the restoration conducted at Jim’s Creek. This gives me hope that we can accomplish similar responses on a landscape scale.
Favorite Areas
My favorite area in Rigdon is the Jim’s Creek Project demonstration area. The Jim’s Creek area is approximately 400 acres where the Forest Service restored pine and oak habitat by manipulating vegetation and restoring fire to the landscape. Native shrub, forb, and grass planting occurred, but many of these species responded naturally from the dormant seed bed. Jim’s Creek showed me what habitat was on this landscape for hundreds or more years. Restoring this habitat is possible and will produce a landscape more resilient to expected climate shifts in the future.
Restoration Opportunities
From a wildlife and wildlife habitat perspective, I am most interested in the pine, oak, and prairie restoration components of the project. Loss of these habitat types has occurred on a large scale in the southern Willamette Valley. The proposed road closures and decommissioning will also added needed security for wildlife from disturbance, as well as, assist restoration of some interrupted hydrologic processes. Finally, the proposed floodplain restoration will provide quality riparian habitat for numerous riparian associated and dependent species. Most riparian areas located on our national forests currently lack the structural and vegetative components necessary to support wildlife associated and dependent species that rely on this habitat type.
