First-Year Progress Report:
Removal of English ivy and other invasive shade-
tolerant plants from old-growth redwood forests in
the Redwood National and State Parks (RNSP)
An NRPP Project -- PMIS 56602
by Andrea Williams and Jim Popenoe
December 2001
Background
In September 2000, the Natural Resource Preservation Program (NRPP) approved a grant application from RNSP for a three-year program to remove ivy and other invasive shade-tolerant plant infestations from its North District (Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park and Hiouchi). The principal shade-tolerant invasive species targetted were English ivy (Hedera helix), cotoneaster (Cotoneaster species), English holly (Ilex aquifolium), and periwinkle (Vinca major). We had surveyed the area and mapped 80 acres of infestation in the summer of 2000. Approximately 100 acres had been found by the end of 2001.
Accomplishments in 2001
The shade-tolerant invasive removal project has been underway now for one year. In January 2001, a three-year term Biological Science Technician was hired to carry out the project. The position was supported initially by California State Park and REDW base prior to receipt of NRPP funding. California State and National Park project clearances (CEQA #00-635A-014 and amendment; PPC #01-08 and 01-14) were approved in Fall 2000, and some ivy removal began. Initially, only park employee and inmate labor was available for the project. When the NRPP funds for the first fiscal year of the project were transferred to the park in April 2001, a contract with the California Conservation Corp more than doubled the rate of ivy removal.
So far almost 8,000 hours have been spent removing English ivy on approximately 40 acres of park land. The bulk of that time was spent at the western boundary of the park, along Highway 199 and up Kings Valley Road to Camp Lincoln. All sites identified last year, with the exception of Hiouchi Flat, have been at least partially treated.
The south side of Highway 199 at the western park boundary is 2/3 complete (10 acres, 1717 hours); much of the remaining infestation is light, but the heavy portion grows down a sheer road embankment and will pose a challenge when we tackle it in the coming year. Crews and volunteers pulled ivy and holly from the historic Hampson property, and in the woods by the Mary Lee Kellis Grove. The North District exotics technician ranged far back into the old-growth to pull fledgling infestations.
The north side of Highway 199, from its junction with Kings Valley Road eastward, is also 2/3 complete (7.6 acres, plus 2.5 last year, 2747 hours). The remaining acres are very heavily infested, but mature ivy around the trees was cut this year to remove the seed source, lightening the load slightly for removal in FY02.
The infestation continues patchily along Kings Valley Road toward Camp Lincoln, and large cotoneaster and stout holly shrubs can be found sporadically. The ivy and cotoneaster by the turn past the private inholding was partially eradicated this year, and a rare plant (Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora), CNPS List 2) was found. The remaining ivy will be removed in FY02.
Initial removal was done at all of Camp Lincoln (7 acres, 2629 hours), and most of the area was visited for resprouts several times. Native plants are rebounding well, although some pioneer species and creeping buttercup ((Ranunculus repens) which will persist in shade once established) have invaded along lawn edges.
At the junction of Highway 199 and Highway 197 (North Bank Road), removal of a small but challenging infestation (0.03 acres, 94.5 hours) was performed. Total eradication was not possible, as much of the ivy was growing from the top of a large boulder. Visits for resprouts will take place during the winter, as deciduous carpets of poison-oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum), manroot (Marah species), and blackberry (Rubus discolor and R. ursinus) over crevasses in the rock make footing treacherous.
Templeman Grove (0.14 acres, 20.25 hours) was a small infestation at approximately the 1-mile mark of Highway 197, between the road and the river. The ivy has been removed and the area diligently searched for resprouts. Follow-up will continue. Templeman Grove also contains a population of Indian-pipe.
Control around Hiouchi Information Center (8 acres, 469 hours) continued; the entire acreage was treated for ivy, from west of the parking lot all the way to the Fire Personnel Housing driveway. Invading Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor) will be removed as part of the ivy resprout removal process. The population of heart-leaf twayblade (Listera cordata, CNPS List 4) uncovered by previous removal activities remains robust. Slightly further east, the treatment of the area around the Hiouchi Fire Office (known historically as Norm’s Trailer) began (0.1 acres, 239 hours). Total initial treatment of the location should take three more crew days.
The Jedediah Smith Campground (11 acres, 29.5 hours) was lightly infested; it was swept this winter. The housing in the campground (0.12 acres, 34.25 hours), adjacent to the maintenance yard, was more heavily infested. A crew removed ivy, cotoneaster, holly, and creeping St. John’s wort in winter. A spring sweep for resprouts revealed new populations of heart-leaf twayblade. The housing and maintenance yard border Hiouchi Flat, the open, heavily impacted area where control activities are scheduled for the coming year.
The only other location treated this year was the State Park Headquarters at Aubell (0.003 acres, 3 hours). The small infestation is non-fruiting and kept in check by mowing. Removal will take place in the coming year.
Depending on the availability of crew time, we expect the remaining infested areas to be treated by spring 2002. Given that all fruiting ivy on park land has been cut, or will be by the end of the year, further infestation and re-infestation will be minimal. Progress has been good, and we steadily proceed toward our goals.
Newly found infestations
The amount of the NRPP funding request was calculated by projecting from previously accomplished ivy eradication work, using the 80-acre area of infestations mapped in 2000. This work is proceeding well and is on schedule. However, another infestation was discovered in 2001 at the Walker Ranch in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The infestation was surveyed and mapped in 2001, and a grant of $50,000 has been approved from the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) for the labor and materials needed to treat it. The additional grant will ensure that the North District of RNSP is fully treated. With the additional funding from CDPR, the new work will not cut into the previously identified ivy removal needs. The strong partnership between NPS and CDPR and the mutual commitment to this project's goals will go far to protecting the old-growth redwood forests for generations to come.
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