May 17, 2006
Help Aspen, Adopt a Fence
NEWS RELEASE
USDA Forest Service
Coconino National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino
For Immediate Release May 15, 2006
Contact:
Karen Malis-Clark
928-527-3492
Flagstaff-
The Forest Service is asking for help and many have already volunteered to “Adopt an Aspen Fence":
Aspen need help. Not only do aspen communities provide a pleasing patchwork of color and texture across the landscape, but they also represent ecologically unique sites within the Coconino National Forest that contribute to increased biological diversity. Aspen stands have been in a gradual state of decline over the past 50 years due to fire suppression and browsing from elk. A severe frost in June, 1999 literally nipped aspens in the bud as they were leafing out, causing widespread defoliation of trees already stressed by drought. The result of these pressures is the possibility of losing a part of the forest valued by both wildlife and people.
There is hope! Foresters have proven that constructing tall exclosure fences around stands of aspen give them a fighting chance to grow tall enough to withstand munching by elk. The Peaks District and Mormon Lake Districts of the Coconino National Forest have 34 such exclosure fences protecting aspen, about 72,000 perimeter feet. That’s a lot of fence requiring regular maintenance and the Forest Service doesn’t have sufficient staff or funding to keep up on all that fencing.
Volunteers sign up to monitor and repair their adopted section of fence twice a year, May and September-October, for at least one year. Most aspen fences are within a 30-minute drive of Flagstaff. The Forest Service provides coordination, tools, supplies and safety and fencing training. Volunteers provide their time and labor.
Several groups have already signed up as “Adopt a Fence” volunteers, including Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona (VOA), NAU Forestry Club, Flagstaff Nordic Center, as well as local families. Home Depot helped by offering a discount on fence materials.
“Between the elk, falling snags, snow loading and lack of funding, these fences are hard enough to maintain. We’ve seen more damage caused by someone cutting the fences, so it’s nearly impossible for us to keep up with the maintenance,” said Patty Ringle, forester on the Peaks and Mormon Lake Ranger Districts. “We’re relying on people who appreciate aspen to help out.”
For more information and to signup, contact Patty Ringle, 928-527-8285, pringle@fs.fed.us, or Nina Hubbard, 928-527-8213.
Note: Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona have work days planned on May 24 and 25, 9am – 4pm, to rebuild an aspen fence that’s been intentionally cut in several places. Location: North on Hwy 180 about 6 miles past Snowbowl Road, turn right on Forest Road 794, about 2 miles on right. If you’d like to visit the group, contact Patty Ringle by May 23.