Tule Elek State Natural Reserve Restoration Project

The Project aims to restore and enhance up to 825 acres of habitat throughout the Reserve, including degraded upland habitat and riparian habitat along the Buena Vista Slough (Figure 2). Historically, this site was part of a dynamic and diverse floodplain ecosystem on the valley floor, supporting a wide array of native plant and animal species. Since the Reserve was established in the 1930s to protect the small remaining population of Tule elk at the time, the upstream dam and diversions have reduced flows to the slough and low elevation channels, resulting in a loss of riparian and wetland habitat. Combined with the introduction of non-native grasses and overgrazing by the elk, today the site primarily consists of non-native grassland and small patches of native forbs and shrubs. The Reserve currently has a herd of five to six Tule elk. The lack of habitat and forage has resulted in a supplemental feeding program to provide the elk with sufficient nutrients, and several elk have been recently relocated from the Reserve. Restoring high-quality native habitat at this site will enhance its capacity to support declining wildlife populations, including riparian songbirds, reptiles, small mammals, and pollinators. Project implementation will include enhancement and active restoration activities. Implementation would occur over several phases. Phasing of implementation will allow elk to be safely excluded from the restoration areas and will be necessary due to limitations on water available for irrigation within the Reserve. Project Objectives include: 1. Establish self-sustaining riparian habitat along Buena Vista Slough. 2. Expand wetland habitat. 3. Enhance upland habitat across the Reserve. 4. Improve wildlife use of restored area. 5. Create pollinator and invertebrate habitat. 6. Expand rare plant populations. 7. Increase climate resiliency of the site. 8. Provide cultural and land stewardship opportunities for surrounding tribes. Enhancement Activities Portions of the Reserve that still host high-quality remnant herbaceous, wetland and upland scrub habitat supporting wildlife will be designated as enhancement areas where work will primarily consist of weed control—including hand weeding, mowing, herbicide application, and prescribed fire—and possibly supplemental seeding of native forbs and shrubs. Prescribed burning may be utilized to reduce non-native annual grass cover across the Reserve to prepare the area for restoration activities while minimizing ground disturbance to avoid impacts to sensitive species. Restoration Activities Other portions of the Reserve that are dominated by weeds (including non-native grasses) will require active restoration. Active restoration techniques may involve the use of prescribed fire, herbicide application and irrigation installation to prepare the site for seeding and planting. After hand-planting and seeding, using a drill-seeder or broadcast seeder, the site may be irrigated and weed control (herbicide, mowing, string trimming, hand-weeding) will be conducted to promote native plant establishment during the first three to five growing seasons, after which the Docusign Envelope ID: 6AB63BB5-3867-817F-831B-6E0B490AF028 DPR 508 (Rev. 4/2003)(Word 2/11/2005) plants will be self-sufficient. Container plants and cuttings will be irrigated using a drip irrigation system to supply a precise, targeted amount of water to plants, and a sprinkler system may be utilized for the seeded areas to ensure even water distribution. Irrigation water for restoration may be sourced from both the existing wells within the Reserve, as well as potentially purchased from a surrounding water district. Irrigation systems will be temporary in nature, providing water for three to five years, with the exception of demonstration plantings around the Day Use Area which will utilize an existing permanent irrigation system. For a more detailed project description contact the Great Basin District of California State Parks.