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by Reed Tollefson
“Planting and stewarding trees is one of the
best ways to capture and store carbon for
climate protection, while at the same time
enhancing quality of life where we live, work,
and play. Over the course of its life, a tree
can store 10,000 lb of carbon dioxide (CO2), or
4.5 metric tons (t)” (McPherson and Simpson
1999). Trees also release oxygen, filter
pollutants from the air and hold down wind
erosion thus reducing particulate pollution.
Considering Kern County has some of the worst
air in the nation these are “environmental
services” that are much needed in our community.
Before the Kern River Preserve was established
in 1980 this land was part of the A. Brown Ranch
which was managed to maximum financial profit
through year round livestock grazing, wood
cutting for firewood and active forest clearing
to make room for pasture and cultivation. Since
that time, financial profit has taken a back
seat to our mission is to maximize wildlife
habitat which has also lead to benefits for our
wider “human” community.
“Active riparian restoration” is when we plant,
irrigate and care for young native trees and
shrubs for the first year until they can sustain
themselves. This is applicable on higher and
dryer sites that seldom flood and were therefore
cleared for cultivation of hay and alfalfa.
Until the river meanders through or floods over
these sites new forest will not regenerate and
this could take decades. In 20 years, Kern River
Preserve volunteers and staff have planted over
342 acres on former farm fields with an average
of 120 trees per acre for a total of 41,040
trees. That’s a lot of carbon!
We
have had a far greater impact through “passive
riparian restoration” when we change land
management to promote natural regeneration and
growth of riparian vegetation. This is
applicable on lower wetter sites that flood
regularly and therefore were used as pasture but
not cultivated. To encouraging the recovery of
the river forest, we reduced grazing to only in
the winter on about 50% and to no grazing on
about 50% of the preserve. We now use livestock
grazing as a conservation management tool and
have working partnerships with several local
ranch families. Through grazing we to help
manage fuel loads, utilize old grasses to keep
meadows “fresh and productive” and our ranch
cooperators help us with heavy equipment needs,
labor and expertise in management. About 500
acres on the Kern River Preserve have gone from
pastures or “open forest” with a few scattered
old trees to dense forest with tens of thousands
of young and middle aged trees. That’s a lot
more carbon!
In
20 year, I’ve been told more than once “What
good is this place it doesn’t produce anything?”
It’s true we don’t “produce” anything that we
can sell to generate income. But the trees at
Kern River Preserve provide a home to many rare
and wonderful creatures while at the same time
they work everyday to make the air we breathe a
little cleaner.
What can you do to help us continue with our
mission? Be informed by visiting our webpage and
the preserve, volunteer to help with stewardship
and outreach, make a donation or planned gift to
Kern River Preserve. To carry on we need your
help.
Reference:
McPherson, E.G.; Simpson, J.R. 1999. Carbon
Dioxide Reductions Through Urban Forestry:
Guidelines for Professional and Volunteer Tree
Planters (General Technical Report PSW-171).
Albany, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific
Southwest Research Station; 237 p. |
