Sierra Streams Institute has received a grant from Sierra Nevada Conservancy’s Proposition 1 funds to implement the Hirschman’s Pond Forest Health Project. The goals of this project are to improve forest health by reducing dense overstocked trees and invasive plants, to help prevent catastrophic wildfire and impacts to water quality and wildlife habitat, and to protect the community.
In the century following the end of hydraulic mining operations, this landscape transitioned from its denuded moonscape state to a dense forest composed of even-aged stands with a lack of structural diversity. Naturally, forest structure and health was maintained by intermittent fire which decreased plant competition, and increased water, light and nutrient availability. Suppression of wildfire, in conjunction with severe drought and climate change, has amplified forest stress resulting in disease, pests, and increased tree mortality.
In this project, we will reduce fuel loads through selective thinning of trees less than 6 inches in diameter, highly flammable understory vegetation, dead and downed material, and invasive species, such as Scotch broom, in order to promote healthier forest conditions. Trees including black oak, madrone, and buckeye will be protected to provide diversity and wildlife habitat for species such as Western pond turtles, Pacific chorus frogs, songbirds and waterfowl.
The California Conservation Corps will be working January 30 through February 10th starting at the Cement Hill parking lot. The trail will be closed during work hours (8am-3pm Mon-Fri) because the use of chainsaws and brush in the trail poses a hazard. The trail will be open in the late afternoons and on the weekends.
SSI staff and volunteers will be monitoring amphibians, birds, mammals, water quality and vegetation. Scotch Broom Challenges will occur in March and throughout the year. If you would like to join us in the stewardship of Hirschman’s Pond, please contact denise@sierrastreams.org. Stay tuned for more…