New Project!
Key Peninsula Gulch Restoration
Summary
The Key Peninsula Gulch was once a diverse, healthy ecosystem that today is overrun with blackberries and ivy. Despite these invasive species, the gulch is still frequented by both black bears and bobcats in addition to many native birds, deer, and small mammals. We aim to use a seasonal process to remove blackberries and ivy, while also planting native trees, shrubs, and eventually wildflowers to return the area to its previous state.
Background
The Key Peninsula Gulch is a small (approx. 5 acres) ravine located off Taylor Bay on Key Peninsula, WA. Local landowners have been removing any trees over ~5ft tall to create and preserve views of the water, which has led to near-complete blackberry invasion. This has led to erosion of the slopes, which threatens many of the homes along the top of the ravine. Landowners of two properties support and are assisting with gulch restoration and replanting, and discussions are ongoing with a third property owner.
Current Ecosystem Status
Stream: Although runoff contributes to the streamflow, there may be an additional water source that is currently unknown. Water quality is unknown.
Soil: Mostly clay
Invasive Species: Himalayan blackberries are the primary species in the gulch. Ivy is also present on all standing trees and stumps, and much of the ground. Holly is an increasing problem.
Native Plants: There is one tall Douglas fir in the restoration area, in addition to shrubby alders in one region. There are five mature alders planted along one edge of the ravine. One property owner has been planting native trees in their garden, mostly around 10 feet from the edge of the ravine. Although madrone is present in the area, there is only one young tree along the top of the gulch. Huckleberries, primarily black but some red, are also present throughout the gulch. The gulch contains many sword ferns, as well as some red currant. Continued monitoring through the spring and summer seasons will help us to identify other species present. Nettles are known to be present, as well as some salal, but their scope has not been mapped at this time. Landowners report frequent sprouting of madrone, redcedar, alder, and Douglas fir in the area, and it is hoped that they are present in the seedbank and will naturally regenerate when light is available.
Native Mammals: The gulch is commonly occupied by racoons and deer. Black bears have been identified in the area recently and are believed to live either in this or the adjacent gulch. One landowner also identified a bobcat living under a garden shrub within 10 feet of the gulch.
Project Goals
Through discussions with landowners, we have identified three primary goals for this restoration project
Restore native habitat
Reduce or prevent slope erosion
Increase shade
Restoration Plan
Restoration currently takes place once a week, with several landowners assisting with the project.
This project will occur in alternating stages, which are seasonally limited. During the fall and winter, blackberries and ivy will be removed from a select area (“plot”) and the plot will be marked. We will attempt to remove roots, where possible. Any other invasives identified will also be removed. Branches and bundled leaf litter will be staked along the slope to prevent erosion during the replanting process. Plot size will be determined by success in blackberry removal. During late winter / early spring, blackberry-competitive species and slope-stabilizing species will be planted. These will be watered frequently until the next fall. During spring and summer, when blackberries are largely impassable, we will work to prevent invasive regrowth in the plot and continue to water the new plants. At the start of the rainy season in the fall, we will plant additional slopes-stabilizing and shade species. After the first year, we will both expand our existing plot and create 1-2 new plots to achieve access from multiple points.
As the project continues, we will introduce more native species that have ecological function.
Winter 2022 Progress
So far during the winter 2022 season, we have achieved several important milestones:
Mapped presence of native species in the gulch
Begun blackberry removal at first plot
Cut ivy on all trees
Conclusions
Although this a daunting project, I think that it will ultimately be successful. Steep slopes and blackberries will make movement complicated for some volunteers, but general activities like blackberry removal and planting should proceed well. A pilot project initiated by one of the landowners shows that long-term blackberry removal is possible, and that planted trees and shrubs can survive for multiple years if watered through the summer.
