Wetland Restoration Project
Overview
A seasonal drainage dominated by a thick stand of reed canarygrass and pocked by invasive roses will be restored to a fully functioning wetland where native rushes, sedges, and woody plants provide food and shelter for birds, bees, and other wildlife. Educational materials will explain the project and inspire similar projects on the Palouse.
Approach
We are replacing the invasive roses and reed canarygrass with planted and naturally occurring rushes, sedges, and woody plants. Wild rose eradication and techniques to remove or suppress reed canary grass such as mowing, mulching with weed mat, and excavating have prepared areas for planting and keep invasive plants in check until wetland plants are big enough to shade and outcompete them. We are protecting woody plants from browsing animals and mowers in plastic tubes or wire-mesh cages, watering them in the early years, and using different mulches to suppress reed canarygrass and conserve water.
To slow the springtime flow of water through the drainage and to raise the water table, we are installing willow gates—sticks inserted into the ground at couple-inch intervals across the width of the creek bed to catch debris and create small dams.
To slow the springtime flow of water through the drainage and to raise the water table, we are installing willow gates—sticks inserted into the ground at couple-inch intervals across the width of the creek bed to catch debris and create small dams.
Progress as of Summer 2021Planting: Quaking aspen, redosier dogwood, lewis syringa, sedges, rushes, willows, and forbs were planted in 2020 and 2021. Overall, the plants planted in 2020 are thriving and those planted in 2021 appear to be doing well. Estimated survival rate is 70%-80%.
Plant Maintenance: Plants have been watered during spring and summer, with two high school interns paid a stipend for weekly watering in Summer 2021 due to the impending drought. Many plants were caged and/or mulched, to protect them. There is constant weeding in progress and needed. Native bee hotels: Our bee hotels erected in spring 2020 are being monitored. Monitoring vegetation and insects: In 2021, we are starting to monitor changes in the wetlands vegetation and insects along the transects, hoping to see an increase in native insect diversity as our native plants start to grow. Summer 2018Mapping and photography: Location posts were placed at 10-meter intervals along the drainage and the area was photographed and mapped before restoration work began. Periodic photo surveys will allow us to document changes in the drainage over time.
Invasive plant control: Invasive roses were pruned back and dug out. Planting: 235 plants in 1- or 2-gallon pots or in plugs were planted, flagged, and mulched with thick layers of straw and Douglas-fir bark in summer 2018. Existing native plants were flagged to locate them during mowing. Plant maintenance: Plants were watered during summer and the reed canarygrass mowed. |
Plant List |
SupportGenerous contributions of funding, materials, and labor have come from the following:
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories—grant funding Moscow Giving Circle—grant funding for related summer camp activities Moscow High School Environmental Club—post setting, planting, weeding, mulching, watering Rotary Club of Moscow—mowing Latah Soil and Water Conservation District—plants Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute—plant protectors (blue tubes) |