Native Focus: Black Greasewood, Sarcobatus vermiculatus

Black Greasewood, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, is a native flowering perennial. Its growth form is erect to low and spreading, reaching 10 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet across. The multiple branches are brittle and spinescent; the ends of smaller branches taper to sharp thorns. Deciduous leaves are fleshy and narrow, and are 0.4 to 1.6 inches long. The leaves are green, in contrast to the grey-green color of most of the other shrubs within its range. The flowers are unisexual and appear from June to August.

Their area of distribution is western North America, from southeastern British Columbia and southwest Alberta, Canada south through the drier regions of the United States (east to North Dakota and west Texas, west to central Washington and eastern California) to northern Mexico.

Black Greasewood seeds have long wings, which allow for wind dispersal. After successful germination, these particular seeds are now in the CSR Inc green house. Field photo taken in Vernal, UT.

CSR is now on FaceBook!

Thats right! You can now find more of the amazing CSR, Inc team and what they are doing on FaceBook! We encourage you to join in the conversation….

Photos from Glacier National Park, summer 2009 project
We love our office!

Winter in the CSR Fields

Sulphur-flower Buckwheat, Eriogonum umbellatum

Basin Wildrye, Leymus cinereus.

Currently in the CSR, Inc. fields…plant species are peeking out, looking for signs of spring.

Conviron Growth Chamber

CSR Inc. began an experiment in our Conviron Growth Chamber in order to test its effectiveness for future Nursery/Biology needs. The Conviron is a large growth chamber that will allow us to control light levels, temperature, humidity, and to fluctuate these in any way we need.

We are starting with a simple experiment: we placed half a super cell tray in the Conviron with three grass species and four forb species. An identical group of seeds were placed in the greenhouse, this will serve as our control reference and allow us to measure how effective our light and temperature settings are.

This is the beginning of much more complicated experiments where different soil types and treatments can be tested to determine the most effective procedure.

Red Gulch Brushing Project

Before/After

CSR Inc recently finished clearing Salt Cedar (Tamarisk) from 50 acres in the Shell Valley – Red Gulch Drainage area, near Greybull WY. Many parts of this project involved very difficult terrain, including a ravine that reached only 60 feet in width. Although getting equipment into the project area proved a challenge, the CSR team persevered.

This summer we will revisit this stream and chemically treat the re-growth. It is important to control the growth of Salt Cedar as they can be extremely detrimental to native habitat.

Invasive Focus: Salt Cedar, Tamarix ramosissima

Invasive Focus: Salt Cedar, Tamarix ramosissima

Introduced as an ornamental from Asia, Salt Cedar invades riparian (streamside) areas throughout the American West. The stems and leaves of mature plants secrete salt, forming a crust above and below ground that inhibits growth of many native species. Salt cedar is also an enormous water consumer. A single large plant can absorb 200 gallons of water a day, although evapotranspiration rates vary based on water availability, stand density, and weather conditions. Salt cedar’s high water consumption further stresses native vegetation by lowering ground water levels and can also dry up springs and marshy areas. Paradoxically, salt cedar infestations can also lead to flooding, as its extensive root system can choke stream beds. Infestations also have detrimental impacts on wildlife. Salt cedar seeds have almost no protein and are too small to be eaten by most animals. In addition, its scale-like leaves offer little suitable forage for browsing animals. Studies indicate that salt cedar is not favored bird habitat. In a study of habitat use by birds along the lower Colorado River, Anderson and Ohmart (1977) found that salt cedar stands supported only 4 species per hundred acres, as opposed to 154 species per hundred acres of native vegetation.

Effective control projects often utilize both mechanical and chemical control methods.

Reference: Department of Ecology

The Rattlesnake

The Rattlesnake. Unlike what you may have been led to believe, rattlesnakes are beautiful predators. As such, they play an important role in the sagebrush steppe ecosystem. As widespread disturbance (i.e., human development, livestock grazing, invasive plants and changing fire regimes) in these ecosystems are threatening Great Basin rattlesnake populations, we must think of the rattlesnake as an animal of Conservation Concern in Idaho.

As prey habitat dwindles, so do the rattlesnakes dependent on them. Wildlife management programs interested in maintaining rattlesnake populations, need to consider the broad patterns of landscape disturbance and their resulting impacts on prey availability…and as a result, the devastating effects this will have on the rattlesnake population.

CSR, Inc Seeks Senior Level Biologist

CSR, Inc. seeks an experienced and motivated Senior Level Biologist / Department Manager who will have the responsibilities of providing day-to-day project management and technical direction to a variety of restoration and monitoring projects throughout the Intermountain West.

The ideal individual would have 4+ years experience working as a project manager overseeing monitoring and restoration projects. This would include providing project management and technical guidance in the design, writing, and development of restoration plans, as well as, overseeing research, data collection, field surveys, habitat assessments reports, budgets, schedules and scopes of work, training and client relations. Candidates must have a strong biological skill set with the abilities to oversee and participate in field studies, staff coordination and resource management. Applicant must have previous experience working with regulatory agencies, familiarity with NEPA compliance and regulations, experience with GIS/GPS and geospatial analysis, and the capacity to perform biological and habitat assessments, and vegetation surveys. A strong understanding of the flora of the sagebrush steppe is desired.

Qualifications:

• M.S. or Ph.D. in biology, restoration ecology, rangeland ecology, or related field. Applicants possessing a B.S. complemented with appropriate experience will also be considered.
• A working knowledge of the flora, fauna and general ecology of the Intermountain West
• Field experience with plant identification, monitoring protocols, data gathering, and data analysis
• Experience managing large datasets, and working with relational databases
• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, under adverse weather conditions, and on difficult terrain
• Experience providing positive leadership
• Ability to recruit, hire and retain well-qualified employees, provide informal feedback, coaching and formal evaluations, institute performance plans, and lay off or fire employees when necessary
• Ability to work safely, follow safety protocols, and ensure the safety of others
• Ability to work effectively and communicate with diverse groups including landowners, the general public, and other CSR, Inc. staff
• Willingness to travel
• Sincere commitment to wildlife conservation, native habitats, habitat restoration, and the goals of CSR, Inc.

Location: Kimberly, Idaho

Closing Date: Closes when filled.

Start Date: The preferred start date is February 15, 2010.

Wages: Subject to experience and education * this is a salary position with a competitive benefits package.

To apply: Please send a letter of interest that highlights your qualifications, and ability to perform the summarized duties listed above, a resume, and three references for review via electronic format to idaadmin@csr-inc.com.

For more info or questions call (208) 423-4835.

A writing sample will be requested of qualified applicants. CSR, Inc. reserves the right and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision at any time. It will be to the applicant’s advantage to submit materials promptly in order to be considered for this position.

Landscaping with Native Plants: Part II Forbs and Grasses

Please join the Pahove Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society for the next monthly meeting and presentation:

Landscaping with Native Plants: Part II Forbs and Grasses

Have you ever wondered what a forb is, which grasses are drought-tolerant,
and what locations are ideal for native plants?  Then attend this
presentation by Ann DeBolt, Natural Communities Specialist for the Idaho
Botanical Garden. Ann will answer these questions and more and provide us
with landscaping tips, just in time for spring!

When: Thursday, February 18, at 6:30 p.m.

Where: MK Nature Center, 600 Walnut Avenue (behind IDFG headquarters)

(Board meeting 5:30 p.m.; Introduction and business meeting 6:30 p.m.;
Presentation 7:00 p.m.)

Call Susan for details or directions: 867-6188.  Open to the public.

Native Focus: Hymenoxys hoopesii, Owl’s Claws

(Owl’s Claws as it looks in February)

Native focus: Owl’s Claws (or Orange Sneezeweed), Hymenoxys hoopesii. A stout, 1 ft. perennial with large, yellow, daisy-like flowers in loose clusters. The foliage is yellow-green – large at the base, becoming reduced upward. It is native to the western United States, where it grows in habitats of moderate elevation, such as mountain meadows. Preparations made from the root of this plant have been used to treat rheumatic pains, stomach disorders, and, in infants, colic and diarrhea. (Lady Bird Johnson)

The CSR, Inc. Nursery has Owl’s Claws (Hymenoxys hoopesii) available in one gallon and 10 cubic inch supercells.