Salmon Habitat Restoration
Garrard Creek Riparian Forest Buffer with the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
In 2001, Wild Thyme Farm planted nearly 3,000 trees and shrubs on a 6 acre pasture in the flood plain of Garrard Creek, a tributary of the Chehalis River in eastern Grays Harbor County. The objective was to convert bare cattle pasture and eroding stream banks into a multi-species native forest to provide shade and habitat for the benefit of salmon and other wildlife species in the riparian corridor.
By replacing the essential woody architecture that was removed a century ago, the creek will be able to re-create itself with the structural complexity of an old-growth forest, full of pools, riffles, sunken logs and overhanging trees. Take a look at the progress and setbacks of this project over the years:
How it started: cattle pasture encircled by Garrard Creek, before tree planting - almost no streamside buffer:
Here's the initial planting plan with various native species collections. It was significantly modified over time:
HyGro Tiller dug 3-foot wide holes approximately 10 feet on center - well worth the 75 cents per hole cost!.
Work crews planting thousands of trees and shrubs in February and March of 2001.
Pasture grass started choking out the planted trees, so regular mowing started in 2004.
At year 4, trees are struggling to get a foothold, and extra care and protection is needed.
Clearing around the tree bases to prevent voles from chewing on the bark, among other maintenance tasks.
In 2009, one of many floods to rake across the planted area, but the trees took it in stride.
A moment to reflect on the progress at year 8 - starting to feel like the riparian forest might succeed after all!
At year 9 - the trees are entering an aggressive growth phase - especially the Red alder featured here.
