North Fork Stillaguamish Riparian Restoration FY 2016

Summary of Accomplishments
The Stillaguamish Tribe’s Riparian Restoration Program led weed control to reduce the density of invasive plant species and installation of native trees and shrubs that resulted in the enhancement of 6.5 acres (0.14 RM) of riparian forest along the Lower Stillaguamish River. The restoration area is located on the Haag property which is owned by the Stillaguamish Tribe (please refer to map titled Haag Property Riparian Planting Area 2018.pdf). The Tribe partnered with the Washington Department of Corrections-Monroe Corrections Complex (MCC) who provided an inmate work crew and an officer to supervise them. The inmates that made up the Riparian Crew significantly contributed to completing the project objectives. The MCC Crew is a community partnership that is beneficial to natural resources and the community.
Activities
The Project Lead under the direction of the Riparian Ecologist delineated a 6.5-acre work area in a fallow field along the Lower Stillaguamish River that was high in invasive plant density (mostly Cirsium arvense and Phalaris arundinacea) and altogether lacking native plants. An initial mowing of the field was conducted before planting. A blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) monoculture was identified along the forested edge and was mechanically controlled with light equipment. Following the initial removal, the MCC Crew then used hand tools to remove remaining blackberry. Stillaguamish Tribe Natural Resources staff applied herbicide to a roughly 25-foot diameter knotweed (Polygonum spp.) patch.
Native plants were positioned and planted by the MCC Crew in rows that were roughly 10 feet wide to allow for easier stewardship of the planting. Within each row, trees and shrubs were randomly planted at roughly 10 feet spacing. Riparian plants were staged and planted in the planting area from the beginning of January to mid-March 2018. The MCC Crew staged and planted 1,189 native trees and 1,700 native shrubs.
Labor towards completing project goals was provided by inmates on the MCC crew. In return, the inmates received hands-on instruction in native plant identification, invasive plant identification and control methods and proper techniques for planting potted and live stake cuttings.

Outcomes
The 6.5-acre riparian restoration area enhanced through invasive weed control and planting of 2889 native plants. The inmates from Monroe Corrections participated in forest enhancement and received instruction in riparian restoration and native plant identification, as well as being educated on the importance of healthy riparian forests along salmon-bearing streams.
Lessons Learned
A different style of plant protector was used on the conifers and larger shrubs that allowed more room for the branches to grow as well as increase air flow around the base of the plant. These protectors, made of heavy plastic mesh, are easy to install and the plants seem to be less susceptible to algae and moss growth around the root crown and lower portion of the stems.
Highlights
The MCC work crew quickly came up to speed and became very efficient at manual weed control. The offenders from Monroe Corrections received instruction in non-native, invasive plant identification and control methods, riparian restoration and native plant identification, as well as education on the importance of healthy riparian forests along salmon-bearing streams.

Initially this project included 2 worksites however the tribe elected to prioritize work at the Haag parcel with the available funding through this project.

The goal of the project is to reduce non-native, invasive vegetation (e.g. non-native blackberry, thistle, reed canary grass) density and plant native vegetation. Species for planting have been identified based on a nearby riparian planting project. As native plants mature we expect that they will provide habitat benefits such as increased shade, floodplain roughness, and future large wood for recruitment to the channel. The Tribe will partner with Monroe Corrections Complex for an offenders crew to conduct weed control and with Sound Salmon Solutions, a Regional Fisheries Enhancement Group, to complete riparian planting.