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The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced this week it will conduct a forest thinning project to restore prairie habitat on the West Rocky Prairie Unit of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area near Tenino.
The 119-acre forest thinning project will begin Aug. 1 and is anticipated to last about four months.
According to WDFW, the project will improve forest health by managing the densities of Oregon white oak, Douglas fir and other tree species in the area to align closer to healthy, historical habitat conditions.
This project will preserve some of south Puget Sound’s most impressive oak trees and select Douglas fir in areas to support old-growth forest conditions.
“Oak trees on the prairie die without adequate sunlight and are currently being outcompeted by over-abundant tree species such as Douglas fir, maple and Oregon ash,” said Scatter Creek Wildlife Area Manager Bill Kronland. “Thinning select trees in this area will allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor, promoting the growth of native Oregon white oak and supporting desired habitat conditions.”
Improved habitat on the management unit will benefit species including Mazama pocket gophers, vesper sparrow, and Puget blue and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, according to WDFW.
“Historically, prairies and oak woodlands were more prominent on the West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area Unit than they are today,” Kronland said. “These habitats will continue to be lost over time without active management. We appreciate the public’s patience during this project as we steward this area to support the West Rocky Prairie Unit ecosystem for the long term.”
In addition to improving forest health, the project will maintain over 3 miles of existing forest roads, build almost 2 miles of permanent roads, and decommission approximately a half mile of existing road to support restoration.
The department anticipates a temporary closure to the 143rd Avenue parking area and access road for approximately two weeks in late August or early September for public safety during project work. WDFW will announce temporary closure updates as they become available.
“WDFW land managers emphasize that, while forest conditions immediately after thinning may not look like everyone’s perception of a thriving forest, this is a normal step in the process to restoring healthy forest habitat,” the department stated in the release. “Following forest thinning, the department will replant native species in the project area. WDFW encourages visitors to continue to recreate responsibly and stay on roads and trails to protect sensitive habitat and support the growth of these young trees.”
Puget Sound prairies are one of the country’s rarest ecosystems and Oregon white oak is Washington's only native oak.
“Retreating glaciers approximately 15,000 years ago left behind gravelly soils that dry out quickly in the summer, creating prairies and open oak savannas,” WDFW wrote. “Native American tribes have used fire for thousands of years to maintain these prairie habitats to support harvesting for acorns, bulbs and medicinal plants.”
Prairies and Oregon white oak woodlands are used by an abundance of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Many invertebrates, including moths, butterflies, gall wasps and spiders, are found exclusively in these habitats. Of the more than 200 wildlife species that use prairies and oak woodlands, several are state or federally listed as sensitive, threatened, endangered or candidates for listings.
Since 2014, WDFW has used a variety of forest management tools to mitigate risks and restore forests to their historic, healthier states. Restored forests decrease severe wildfire risk, improve health and habitat for fish and wildlife species and protect homes and local communities, according to WDFW.
Of forest management tools available, the department focuses mostly on forest thinning, prescribed burning and creating fuel breaks.
