Umatilla Native Plant Nursery Operational Support IV

The CTUIR Tribal Native Plant Nursery exists primarily to provide materials for restoration projects conducted by the Fisheries and Wildlife Habitat programs of the tribes and their conservation partners in the region. Plant materials produced at the Nursery are planted along numerous tributaries of the Lower Snake River and the Mid Columbia River. These plants provide shade and bank stabilization: practices that benefit Threatened summer steelhead, Threatened bull trout, and Threatened and reintroduced Chinook and Coho salmon. Nursery employees collect seed near each project site to produce plants that are adapted to the unique soil and climate conditions of each site. Collection procedures and cultural practices are followed to maintain genetic diversity and to produce plants that are capable of surviving the austere conditions of this region. PCSRF funding for salaries has made this labor intensive work possible.

The purpose of the project was to provide nursery services and locally adapted native plant products in support of restoration projects within the territory of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Plant materials from the native plant nursery may be used throughout the Columbia Basin for fish habitat restoration and watershed restoration projects with a focus on the Umatilla, Grande Ronde, Walla Walla, Tucannon and John Day Basins. Projects supported include CTUIR and their conservation partners. Services include site assessment and treatment prescription development, plant collection and propagation and maintenance of specified native plant species. There are currently very few native plant nurseries in the area and none that specialize in the production of locally adapted stock.

The funds supplied by the PCSRF for salaries benefitted the CTUIR Tribal Native Plant Nursery by providing a crew to perform everyday needed tasks for running a nursery, maintaining infrastructure and producing plants.
Retaining full time as well as seasonal employees year after year has increased the vision of the program. Crew members are contributing more than just their time and energy. Because of their history and commitment to the programthey are evaluating procedures in production and suggesting modifications to increase quality and reduce expenses. Challenges of a changing climate are providing new learning opportunities each year as we seek to produce hardy resilient plants with increased ability to survive in the severe conditions of the Eastern Oregon out-planting sites.

Worksite #1 Accomplished Work: CTUIR Tribal Native Plant Nursery

Developed planting plan with Habitat project managers, conservation partner project leaders, and contractors for restoration projects.
Collected seed and/or cuttings from proposed site and prepare for propagation.
Produced plants that are suitable for project site and meet target dates for out-planting.
Maintained plants in a manner that encourages robust root growth and adequate shoot growth.
Monitored for diseases and pests, changing practices as needed to produce healthy plants. Harden plants with changes to fertilizer and irrigation protocols to encourage dormancy.
Where necessary for planting plan, overwintered plants in protected space and transplanted to desired container size, then managed growth until the next planting season.
Communicated with habitat managers regarding success of particular species and container types, making necessary adjustments to future planting plans.

Plant materials produced at the Nursery will benefit Threatened summer steelhead, Threatened bull trout, and Threatened and reintroduced Chinook and Coho salmon by assuring the availability of healthy and vigorous locally sourced native plant materials for use in habitat restoration projects by the CTUIR and conservation partners. Locally sourced materials assure higher planting success and prevent unintended introduction of non-adapted genetic materials to the watersheds. Native riparian plants provide shade, structure and a substrate for macroinvertebrates that feed native fish stocks.

Native plant products support CTUIR’s “River Vision” which identifies a healthy riparian condition as a key component or touchstone to achieving healthy floodplain conditions necessary to protect, restore and enhance tribal First Foods for the perpetual cultural, economic, and sovereign benefit of CTUIR. Use of locally adapted plant stocks helps protect the ecological integrity of the local plant communities while improving overall floodplain health and fish production potential.