The Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group (LCFWG) will host its third annual Arbor Day Volunteer Tree Planting Event on April 25th and 26th from 9am to 3pm. This event is an perfect opportunity to celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day and for local folks to plant a tree. 100 trees are planned to be planted and caged to protect them from browsing by Beavers and Ungulates (Deer, Elk and Moose). The work will take place in the Bull River watershed, within riparian areas inundated with Reed Canary Grass (an invasive, non-native grass). Reed Canary Grass is shade intolerant and by planting native trees, the grass presence is reduced, wildlife habitat is enhanced and water quality is improved. A healthy river is lined with diverse vegetation which has varied root systems that hold streambanks intact (in addition to providing important shade, cover, forage, and habitat for many fish and wildlife species). Once introduced in hay fields across areas of Sanders County, Reed Canary Grass has spread extensively along the banks of the Bull River. Reed Canary Grass forms a dense rhizomatous mat in the uppermost layer of soil, but does little to protect or stabilize the soil underneath. This leaves much of the exposed streambank underneath exposed and prone to erosion. Once underlying soil has been washed away with the river, large clumps of Reed Canary Grass often fall into the river as well, starting the cycle over again. Planting native vegetation can help with combatting the presence of this grass and improve the health of the floodplain.
This project is anticipated (over time) to transform the Bull River’s banks into a healthy riparian area that promotes water quality and provides better habitat for native fish and wildlife. The Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group partners with other organizations and landowners to steward to the river – hoping to leave it in better condition than we found it.
If you are interested in volunteering at our Arbor Day Planting Event, or interested in volunteering in other ways, please reach out to Sarah Poiesz, Watershed Coordinator for the Lower Clark Fork Watershed Group at (406) 203-4725 or at sarah.poiesz@lcfwg.org for more details.