Help plant trees at nearby wildlife refuge

Published 11:02 am Tuesday, March 22, 2016

CATHLAMET — All with an interest are invited to a tree cutting and planting day around a nearby refuge to establish new cover and browse for a rare species of deer.

Columbian white-tailed deer require different habitats for browsing, forage and cover. Several different tree species on the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge serve these functions.

“Tree plantings not only benefit the deer, but a variety of other species that are found on the Refuge as well” says biologist Paul Meyers. “Dogwood, cottonwood and willow species are especially useful because you can take cuttings from existing trees and directly plant the stakes into the ground. This saves costs to the refuge but requires a hefty volunteer turn out.”

Meet at the refuge office on Friday, March 25, at 8:30 a.m. to help cut stakes from existing trees and plant them in a new location. All supplies will be provided. Wear gear appropriate for the weather. This volunteer day will occur rain or shine.

Julia Butler Hansen, Willapa and Lewis & Clark National Wildlife Refuges are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, a nationwide network of lands managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. Over 42 million people visit refuges each year, generating almost $1.7 billion in sales for regional economies.

For more information about these events or Julia Butler Hansen Refuge for Columbian White-tailed Deer contact willapa@fws.gov or 360-795-3915 or visit: www.fws.gov/refuge/julia_butler_hansen.