Wildlife habitat improvement project beginning north of Rifle Gap Reservoir on Cedar Mountain
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SILT, Colo. – Crews began thinning pinyon-juniper on Cedar Mountain this week in the first phase of a wildlife habitat improvement project on Bureau of Land Management land about 1.5 miles north of Rifle Gap Reservoir.
BLM expects the hand crews to continue working for most of the week across about 141 acres. In early October, mechanical work to thin pinyon juniper in smaller patches totaling 233 acres and to create openings in thick stands of mountain shrubs across 149 acres will begin.
“Working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and a host of partners, we’ve identified this area as a priority to improve big game habitat,” said Hilary Boyd, a wildlife biologist with the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office. “We are targeting young pinyon and juniper trees that are moving into sagebrush meadows, as well as creating a patchwork of openings in the areas of thick mountain shrub stands.”
Sagebrush meadows provide key winter forage for mule deer and elk but can be overtaken by pinyon and juniper. In the stands of mountain shrubs, wildlife will benefit from the resulting new, nutritious plant growth in the openings and easier access through the area. Additionally, the risk of larger, unwanted wildfires will be lessened by the breaks in the continuous vegetation.
“This technique has been widely successful in western Colorado for improving wildlife habitat and reducing large wildfire risk,” Boyd said. “The short-term impact to the area will result in a decade or more of great habitat for mule deer, elk and other wildlife.”
The Pass the Buck Chapter of the Mule Deer Foundation in Rifle is funding the work of the hand crews. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Muley Fanatic Foundation, CPW Habitat Partnership Program and CPW Big Game Auction and Raffle Program are funding the mechanical treatments.
“This is just one of seven projects in northwest Colorado where MDF is cooperating with BLM,” said Miles Moretti, President/CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. “Our partnership with BLM continues grow and we look forward to future projects that will not only benefit mule deer but all wildlife.”
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.