Narrowleaf Cottonwoods Along Silver Creek, ID.

Narrowleaf cottonwoods, planted early this spring, are enjoying thier view of Silver Creek near Picabo, Idaho.

Invasive Focus: Berteroa incana, Hoary Alyssum

Invasive Focus: Berteroa incana, Hoary Alyssum, is a plant in the mustard family. It grows from a deep taproot and is an annual, biennial or short-lived perennial herbaceous plant with alternate, simple gray-green leaves. The foliage is rough with star shaped hairs. Young plants have a basal rosette of leaves that give rise to upright stems with simple, alternate leaves. The leaves are longer than wide.

This invasive weed can out compete beneficial plants when habitat is stressed. It spreads rapidly due to the high number of seeds per plant. Hoary Alyssum emerges early in spring and continues to flower and produce seed until frost. Small infestations can be pulled or dug out. Bare ground should be cultivated or replanted with native species. Mowing can prevent seed production. (source)

Ouray National Wildlife Refuge Spring 2011

CSR is contracted as a consultant to the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge. This Restoration project consists of installing the revegetation experiment as designed, monitoring the response of native species and invasive species, collecting and interpreting raw data including statistical analysis, and to provide interim and final reports on the project status and results.

The experimental revegetation projects are located on two study sites and will examine the success of reclamation with differing factors: native grass species, seeding methods, seeding time frames, soil amendments, herbicide application and irrigation regimes.

CSR’s Biology and Construction Team continue Restoration work this spring at the Ouray National Wildlife Refuge.

Measuring the distance of plots

Diane Pentilla, of US Fish Wildlife Service, spreading zeolyte on plot.

Dropping seed into the Kincaid Drill.

Seeding plots with the Kincaid Drill.

Charcoal banding over the seed rows.

Applying liquid organic amendments on plot.

Mowing as a Restoration Tool

Mowing annual weeds early before they successfully set viable seeds is an effective management strategy. This technique will reduce the seed production capabilities of annual weeds and lessen the seed bank in the soil. Mowing will also open up the understory allowing more light and water to be utilized by newly germinated native plants.

Native Focus: Juniperus scopulorum, Rocky Mountain Juniper

Native Focus: Juniperus scopulorum, Rocky Mountain Juniper, a columnar to somewhat rounded evergreen tree, Rocky Mountain Juniper often supports several main stems. The juvenile foliage consists of pointed, white-coated needles. Adult, scale-like foliage varies in color from dark- to bluish- or light-green. Round, dark-blue, berry-like cones, covered with a whitish bloom, ripen in the second year. Mature size is from 30-40 ft. high with a spread of 3-15 ft. Bark is reddish-brown or gray and shedding.

A graceful ornamental, often with narrow crown of drooping foliage, several varieties differ in form and in leaf color. The aromatic wood is especially suited for cedar chests and is also used for lumber, fenceposts, and fuel. Wildlife eat the berries. This species is closely related to Eastern Redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.), which has dark green foliage and berries that mature in one year. (Lady Bird Johnson)

Conservation Seeding and Restoration Inc. has one hundred Rocky Mountain Junipers awaiting a happy home. These lovely beauties would make a excellent contribution to a hedgerow or windbreak.

“Hedgerow is an old English term that refers to narrow planting strips that grow along field borders, fence lines and waterways. In the Northwest this ancient design method is being expanded to incorporate a diverse number of plant species with a wide variety of functions. Hedgerows often consist of trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials, annuals, and vines depending on the function, size, and location of the planting strip. Hedgerows provide habitat for a large variety of mammal, bird, reptile, and insect species, many of which are beneficial predators of plant pests.” (view source, and learn more about hedgerows)

Twin Falls ID. County Sheriff Search & Rescue Unit, 2011 Annual Fundraiser Raffle

Conservation Seeding and Restoration Inc’s main office, located in Kimberly ID, now has raffle tickets available for purchase, benefiting the T.F. County Sheriff Search and Rescue Unit, 2011 Annual Fundraiser.

Only 2,000 tickets will be sold with a chance to win the grand prize of a 2011 Polaris RZR or Ranger XP! Ticket Prices: 1 for $20, 3 for $50, or 7 raffle tickets for $100. The drawing is September 5, 2011. Winner need not be present to win. Good luck!

Rocky Mountain Native Plants & Conservation Seeding and Restoration Inc.

Rocky Mountain Native Plants (RMNP) and Conservation Seeding and Restoration (CSR, Inc)

As of May 6th, 2011, CSR, Inc has assumed the day to day operations of RMNP, and in doing so, elevated its capabilities to new heights. CSR, Inc has always been capable of producing high quality, native plant material for the restoration and retail industry throughout the western United States. With the operation and subsequent acquisition of RMNP, CSR, Inc expects to be the industry leader, supplying quality Native Plants to venues reaching farther geographically and into more diverse habitat types -Mohave, West Cascade, and Front Range to name a few.

I feel it’s important to note that RMNP has been very influential in the choices CSR Inc, has made in focusing on native plants and the native plant industry. CSR, Inc uses the mentorship provided in competition with RMNP to model and influence its staff, product quality, and product deliveries.

I am very humbled, and at the same time, very proud of CSR, Inc and its exceedingly capable staff. They have taken on the challenge of the RMNP acquisition with grace and effective implementation that only the CSR, Inc team can. RMNP will live on as a staple in the native plant restoration world and will benefit greatly from the vertical integration CSR, Inc brings to the table.

Thank you to all who have worked so very hard, and to those who continue working to move native plants into the spotlight.

Steven Paulsen
Owner and CEO, CSR, Inc.

Now Blooming: Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) is now blooming in the South Hills (Sawtooth Natl. Forest). Take care not to trample, this native plant must mature many years before it blooms.

CSR Donates Trees to the YMCA

CSR donated 6 trees (3 Ash trees and 3 flowering Hawthornes) to the YMCA for a recent benefit auction. This auction helped to fund the Strong Kids Campaign, provide financial assistance for qualifying children, and support the 3rd Grade Swim Program.

Conservation Seeding and Restoration Inc. happily contributes to such a worth-while cause as children are the future care-takers of native flora and fauna.