Klamath Falls Field Office to Conduct Aerial Native Seed Treatments
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will conduct aerial native seeding treatments across approximately 1,525 acres within the Klamath Falls Field Office. Aerial native seeding applications are anticipated throughout December, weather permitting, within the following areas: Van Meter Fire adjacent to Weber Road on Stukel Mountain, sagebrush restoration projects near the Town of Bonanza (Harpold Ridge & Windy Ridge 4).
The goal of the proposed native seeding treatments is to promote the establishment of native shrub, grass, and forb species that are locally adapted to Klamath County. Restoring native plant species also reduces the likelihood of invasive annual grass invasions, including cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), medusahead rye (Taeniatherum caput-medusae), and North African grass (Ventenata dubia). The BLM has sprayed the non-native, invasive annual grasses as site prep for seeding to restore native bunchgrass and shrub species within sagebrush restoration project areas and burned areas.
The native seed mix to be used for these projects includes the following species: mountain big sagebrush, bitterbrush, Idaho fescue, squirreltail, Sandberg’s bluegrass, bluebunch wheatgrass, great basin wildrye, yarrow, sulphur buckwheat, and tapertip hawksbeard.
Maps will be posted along the main roads entering the project areas. Treatments may take up to two weeks for implementation and are dependent upon weather conditions.
For more information regarding these projects, please contact KFFO Assistant Field Manager Trisha Roninger at 541-885-4109 or Kerry Johnston, KFFO Botanist, at 541-885-4136.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.