Crews plant willows and cottonwoods along Encampment River

Laramie Region Aquatic Habitat Biologist Christina Barrineau had help from the Laramie Habitat and Access crew and employees of Stantec to plant willows and cottonwoods on the Boykin Reach of the Encampment River habitat project.

The cobble rocks used to stabilize the river bank make it difficult for vegetation to grow, so biologists plant woody species to help hold soil in place. Native grasses should eventually establish in the cobble with adequate amounts of soil. The crews planted the cottonwoods in plots made up of a 4-foot by 4-foot diamond pattern to encourage sediment deposition. Twelve plots were established at various locations within the project site. Blue plastic tubes are used to protect the vulnerable cottonwoods from depredation by deer and other ungulates, and Barrineau sprayed the willow plants with Plantskydd® in efforts to discourage browsing.

Barrineau also worked with Saratoga Habitat Biologist Katie Cheesbrough to kick off the Platte Valley Speaker Series in November. The first speaker was Lindsy Ciepiela, a graduate student at the University of Wyoming, who spoke on her research on estimating trout movement and use of tributary streams in the Upper North Platte Watershed. About 25 people attended the presentation. Game and Fish will host a Speaker Series talk every other month in either Saratoga or Encampment to promote various habitat topics. Information can be found online at wgfd.wyo.gov.