Restoration of the pine forest is slated for approximately 1,100 acres. The goals of this effort are
: 1) a combination of open, pine-fir forest and pine savanna across the area; 2) maintenance of
existing native prairie understory and, where feasible, restoration of prairie understory where it
has been lost; 3) a self-perpetuating, all-aged population of pine; and 4) reintroduction of fire as
an important ecological process. To prepare the area for fire, a combination of management
actions is being undertaken: (1) slashing pre-commercial-size Douglas-fir; (2) removing
commercial-size Douglas-fir in timber sales; (3) cutting the densest concentrations of Scotch
broom, and thin out pine saplings. Subsequently, a 3 – to 5-year cycle of prescribed fires will
help keep Scotch broom in check, create a suitable seedbed for pine reproduction, and hopefully,
prevent further loss of native prairie species. Prospects are uncertain for restoration of prairie
understory where it has been completely eliminated. Below are links to additional chapters in the book:
Follow this link to access all other chapters of Ecology and Conservation of the South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape