Category Overview
The State Lands Restoration and Enhancement category provides funding to two state agencies to help repair damaged plant and animal habitat. These grants focus on resource preservation and protection of public lands. Projects in this category help bring important natural areas and resources back to their original functions by improving the self sustaining and ecological functionality of sites.
Project Highlights
L.T. Murray staff had archaeologist review the proposed project area for potential to affect cultural recourses and then worked with WDFW engineers who developed and carried out engineered planning specs. Nine short fences were constructed totaling 860′ to abandon12 miles of vehicle trails that access high value shrubsteppe habitat. The fences were strategically placed so that a person on the trail may not be able to tell where the fence ends but wildlife can easily walk around. 8 of the fences have gates for infrequent administrative or fire access and 6 of the fences have walkthrough gaps designed to allow foot or equestrian access. One deep erosion channel was filled in, two creek banks were enhanced, and 45 water bars/erosion control structures were installed in abandoned vehicle trails to divert rain and melt water, and reduce sediment delivery to local streams and protect seeded areas. Abandoned vehicle trails were seeded with native, locally adapted, grasses. One hundred basin wildrye plugs were planted across 4 acres in disturbed soil sites around and behind the new fences. Evidence of natural plant recruitment was occurring which scaled down the need for additional upland planting. Fourteen signs educating the public about restoration activities where installed in the project area.