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Camille Keith (pictured) and Lindsay Sandoval watered the trees that recently were planted along Stollsteimer Creek.
Southwest Conservation Corps workers pound T-posts into the ground as they prepare caging that will protect the young trees from wildlife.
EPA Senior Water Quality Specialist, Pete Nylander prepares the tree for planting at Stollstiemer Creek Thursday, June 16
EPD Senior Water Quality Specialist, Pete Nylander and Phillip Martinez, EPD recycling technician get together to plant a tree sapling.
A young sapling has just been planted and will have caging placed around it to protect it from wildlife.
Phillip Martinez, EPD recycling technician lends a hand with the planting and watering of the trees.
A Narrowleaf Cottonwood sapling (front) compared to one that was planted five years ago (back).
Southwest Conservation Corps workers Eagle Bear Williams, Austin Roll and Micah Bevore pound in the T-posts for the caging enclosures for the tree saplings.
Southwest Conservation Corps worker Dylan Lang prepares the fences for the tree sapling.
Equipment used for the planting of the trees sit alongside the trailer of the young saplings along the creek bed.
Wire fencing used for the caging to protect the trees.
The two-week riparian enhancement project covered 1.7 miles and 9.7 acres along Stollsteimer Creek which flows south from Lake Capote.
The Southern Ute Environmental Programs Division planted over 1000 trees along Stollsteimer Creek running downstream from Lake Capote.
A process called long-stem planting was utilized to drill down to the watertable, giving the newly planted trees an advantage so watering needs to be less frequently.
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Chris J. Cloud | SU Drum
Photo Credit: Pete Nylander | SU EPD
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Reestablishing the forest along Stollsteimer

Thursday - June 23, 2016 by Robert L. Ortiz | The Southern Ute Drum

The Southern Ute Environmental Programs Division (EPD) is working hard at reestablishing tree growth downstream from Lake Capote. The riparian enhancement project included the planting of approximately 1,100 plants 1.7 miles along Stollsteimer Creek totaling 9.7 acres of planted ground.

Southern Ute EPD Senior Water Quality Specialist, Pete Nylander and a 10-person crew, along with assistance from other Southern Ute tribal departments planted the trees from June 13 through June 16.

“The area we are replanting was overgrazed, right up to the creek, with bad land use practices – we want to reestablish the forestation so the wildlife can enjoy the vegetation,” Nylander said.

The area south of Lake Capote is established as a conservation area. Archeologists have already done surveys to the land prior to the Wildlife Divisions tree planting five years ago.

EPD Recycling Technician, Phillip Martinez also assisted during the week with planting and watering, two additional EPD interns also watered the trees.

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) crewmembers constructed the caging and provided additional labor. SCC also operates conservation service programs across Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico.

Chokecherry, Golden Current, Woods Rose, Redosier Dogwood, Narrow leaf Cottonwood, Rio Grande Cottonwood, Three Leaf Sumac and Silver Buffaloberry were planted and all had to be caged to protect them from being damaged by elk and beavers.

The purpose of the project is to improve water quality along Stollsteimer Creek, but there are other benefits to wildlife and the land by having a healthy riparian area.

The project was funded through EPA grant funds. The project was successful due to the Southern Ute Range and Wildlife Divisions assistance with labor and use of their equipment. The Agriculture Division also helped unload caging materials with their forklift.

“There is no way I could handle this project by myself, it’s great to get the support from different departments.” Nylander said.

The project complemented previous work to Stollsteimer Creek done by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Forestry Division. The division provided hand augers for the project use of their shade house to store the plants, and technical assistance on the plants as well.

The Southern Ute Wildlife Division planted the larger existing trees along the creek.

“It’ nice to rebuild and have a riparian forest along the creek and in 20 years to see the lands growing for the better,” Nylander said. “We are continuing the work the Wildlife [Division] has already done 5 years ago.”

 

 

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