For Immediate Use                                                                                               Contact: Alison Sheehey, (760) 378-2531
June 10, 2008                                                                                                                              rtollefson@audubon.org

Doing our part for Climate Change and Air Quality in the Kern Valley

Students from Burroughs High School planted trees in May 1990. photo courtesy EK Schafhauser ©

Almost 20 years later the forest is 35' tall in the Palmer restoration site. photo © Alison Sheehey, Audubon

Active Riparian Restoration - In 20 years, Kern River Preserve volunteers and staff have planted over 342 acres on former farm fields with an average of 120 trees per acre for a total of 41,040 trees.

by Reed Tollefson

“Planting and stewarding trees is one of the best ways to capture and store carbon for climate protection, while at the same time enhancing quality of life where we live, work, and play. Over the course of its life, a tree can store 10,000 lb of carbon dioxide (CO2), or 4.5 metric tons (t)” (McPherson and Simpson 1999). Trees also release oxygen, filter pollutants from the air and hold down wind erosion thus reducing particulate pollution. Considering Kern County has some of the worst air in the nation these are “environmental services” that are much needed in our community.

Before the Kern River Preserve was established in 1980 this land was part of the A. Brown Ranch which was managed to maximum financial profit through year round livestock grazing, wood cutting for firewood and active forest clearing to make room for pasture and cultivation. Since that time, financial profit has taken a back seat to our mission is to maximize wildlife habitat which has also lead to benefits for our wider “human” community.

“Active riparian restoration” is when we plant, irrigate and care for young native trees and shrubs for the first year until they can sustain themselves. This is applicable on higher and dryer sites that seldom flood and were therefore cleared for cultivation of hay and alfalfa. Until the river meanders through or floods over these sites new forest will not regenerate and this could take decades. In 20 years, Kern River Preserve volunteers and staff have planted over 342 acres on former farm fields with an average of 120 trees per acre for a total of 41,040 trees. That’s a lot of carbon!

We have had a far greater impact through “passive riparian restoration” when we change land management to promote natural regeneration and growth of riparian vegetation. This is applicable on lower wetter sites that flood regularly and therefore were used as pasture but not cultivated. To encouraging the recovery of the river forest, we reduced grazing to only in the winter on about 50% and to no grazing on about 50% of the preserve. We now use livestock grazing as a conservation management tool and have working partnerships with several local ranch families. Through grazing we to help manage fuel loads, utilize old grasses to keep meadows “fresh and productive” and our ranch cooperators help us with heavy equipment needs, labor and expertise in management. About 500 acres on the Kern River Preserve have gone from pastures or “open forest” with a few scattered old trees to dense forest with tens of thousands of young and middle aged trees. That’s a lot more carbon!

In 20 year, I’ve been told more than once “What good is this place it doesn’t produce anything?” It’s true we don’t “produce” anything that we can sell to generate income. But the trees at Kern River Preserve provide a home to many rare and wonderful creatures while at the same time they work everyday to make the air we breathe a little cleaner.

What can you do to help us continue with our mission? Be informed by visiting our webpage and the preserve, volunteer to help with stewardship and outreach, make a donation or planned gift to Kern River Preserve. To carry on we need your help.

Reference:

McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R. 1999. Carbon Dioxide Reductions Through Urban Forestry: Guidelines for Professional and Volunteer Tree Planters (General Technical Report PSW-171). Albany, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station; 237 p.

Passive Riparian Restoration - About 500 acres on the Kern River Preserve have gone from pastures or “open forest” with a few scattered old trees to dense forest with tens of thousands of young and middle aged trees.

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