Don't Run off Salmon: revegetation matters!

Step 1: Collecting Willows

The people of Cordova, forty volunteers strong, assembled along the Copper River Highway during March and April of 2010 to collect dormant willow shoots for reestablishing plant communities along the shoreline of Eyak Lake. The Eyak Corporation, United States Forest Service Cordova Ranger District, and the Alaska Department of Transportation generously donated the 12,000 willow shoots volunteers collected.

Willows can be collected while dormant (not actively growing) during winter/early spring before leaves appear. Native willows, like cottonwood and poplar, are desired because they root easily. Select branches 1/2 to 2 inches in diameter and 2 to 4 feet long. Always obtain permission to collect cuttings.

Step 2: Storing Willows

Store cuttings in a cold, wet place to maintain viability. Cuttings may be refrigerated or buried in snow until planting. The optimal storage temperature would be between 31 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit with 60 to 70 percent humidity.

Step 3: Planting willows

Remove cuttings from storage 24 to 48 hours between planting and allow the willow shoots to soak in cool/cold water to improve survivability. Do not have cuttings in water for more than 4 days.

Revegetation projects may require approval from federal, state, and/or municipal agencies so it is best to start the permitting process early.

Revegetation assistance is available through the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. A great resource is available through their website:

http://www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/sarr/restoration/techniques/techniques.cfm

Whiskey Creek before revegetation work

Student volunteers digging trench on Whiskey Creek.

Brush layer on an outside bend of Whiskey Creek. 

Growth after three weeks....