The Kansas Forest Service (KFS) is “teaming up” with landowners and natural resource professionals in the Delaware River Watershed to identify water quality and quantity issues within the 740,772 acre area that drains into Lake Perry. At a July public meeting at the Whiting Community Center, landowners actually out numbered government employees as the Delaware Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy (WRAPS) hosted a variety of educational presentations about the watershed. WRAPS (http://www.kswraps.org/) is made up landowners and other stakeholders in the Delaware Watershed who have developed a strategy to protect and restore the watershed to “proper functioning condition” considering social and economic factors. At the end of the meeting over 12 landowners had signed up expressing interest in potential streambank stabilization projects to improve water quality on the main stem of the Delaware River.
Sedimentation of Lake Perry has been identified by the Delaware WRAPS as the greatest water quality concern. This is understandable since the lake is a public water source and sedimentation has significantly reduced its storage capacity. Federal reservoirs like Perry serve as the source of municipal and industrial water for more than two-thirds of the state’s population. Reduced storage capacity as a result of sedimentation and increasing demands for water combined with a few years of drought may make water shortages a reality for some Kansans within the near future. Leading science organizations such as the National Academy of Sciences suggest 39 other states will also experience water shortages over the next 10 years.
The KFS is providing assistance based on needs described by the Delaware WRAPS stakeholder leadership team, their plan and with funding support from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Examples include an assessment of the functioning condition of riparian forestland within the Delaware, sharing research on the effectiveness of riparian forests to reduce sediment loads, and providing the tools necessary to protect and establish riparian forests.
With all this activity in the Delaware River Watershed, it only seems appropriate to locate the 15th annual Fall Forestry Field Day there. On October 15 a little west of Valley Falls, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., KFS will join forces with a host of partners and sponsors to provide a variety of outdoor educational sessions to promote the protection and management of forests and other natural resources with a focus on water quality benefits.
Danny Barrow of Danny Barrow Trading Company, will be hosting the event on his 1,280 acre ranch. Barrow has over 20 years of experience buying, selling and harvesting timber and furs in Kansas. He and his family have accomplished a variety of conservation practices on the property such as spring development and improving the health and productivity of grasslands. Danny also has two watershed lakes which will serve as the site for a session on fish pond management, by Kirk Tjelmeland, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), Fisheries Biologist. Kirk will use his shock boat to inventory the fish populations and help landowners understand what they can do to successfully manage farm ponds. Danny, his son Charlie and Dave Bruton, KFS, District Forester, will provide a logging and milling demonstration, by discussing the value of a standing walnut tree. The tree will then be felled and processed on a portable sawmill. Dr. Charles Barden, Extension Forester, Kansas State University, will also lead discussions about proper harvesting techniques within riparian areas to maintain water quality.
Forest health, good wildlife habitat and water quality can all be improved by limiting or excluding livestock’s access to forestland and riparian areas. The benefits to livestock and productivity have also been proven. Will Boyer, K-State Research and Extension, Watershed Specialist, will lead a session on developing alternative watering sites, an excellent tool for getting cows out of the creeks and the woods.
An estimated 35 percent of the Delaware River watershed is in cropland with another 51 percent in grassland. Riparian forests snake through these areas creating abrupt edges between land uses. These “edges” offer important food and cover to many wildlife species. However, wildlife habitat can be greatly improved by “feathering” the transition between forestland and field. Randy Whiteaker, KDWP, Wildlife Biologist, will be on-hand to suggest how landowners can create more gradual transitions by introducing shrubs, forbes and other techniques to improve biological diversity.
Most forestland in Kansas is artificially established with tree seedlings; however, another option available to landowners is planting nuts or seeds, sometimes described as “direct seeding.” Danny Barrow is planning a direct seeding project this fall which will provide a good demonstration opportunity for the field day. Bob Atchison, KFS, Rural Forestry Coordinator, will describe proper seed collection, storage, seed stratification, planting and weed and grass control techniques that are necessary for success.
The Delaware WRAPS (http://www.delawareriverwatershed.org/) is one of over 50 WRAPS organizations in Kansas and one of the most successful. Marlene Bosworth, Delaware WRAPS Coordinator, will provide a presentation about activities in the watershed and opportunities for landowners to participate. Jeff Neel, a Geographic Information Specialist (GIS) with Blue Earth/Kansas Alliance of Wetlands and Streams will compliment Marlene’s presentation by presenting the results of a riparian forest assessment on the Delaware River. A stream trailer, which models hydrologic behavior, will be used to teach how different factors effect streambank stabilization.
A highlight of the Field Day will be the presentation of the 2009 Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year Award to Wilford Sinclair. The award recognizes members of the American Tree Farm System who are practicing good forest stewardship by actively implementing their Forest Stewardship Management plans. Wilford was nominated for the award by Ryan Neises, Forester with Ecotone Forestry, Lake Region Resource Conservation and Development Council, Ottawa. Wilford has improved the health of 46 acres of forestland on his Rantoul Tree Farm, by thinning and releasing desirable trees. He has also planted 10 acres to oak and black walnut. A member of the Walnut Council and Kansas Forest Products Association, Wilford has hosted numerous workshops and field days to promote good forestry and to encourage other forestland owners to follow suit. Wilford will receive a $350 gift certificate from STIHL, a Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year sign to post on his property and a Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year walnut plaque.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided, and there will be a modest registration fee to cover costs. Registration information can be obtained at the KFS web site at www.kansasforests.org by clicking on Calendar of Events or by calling 785-532-3300. In case of rain, the event will be held at the Jefferson County Fair building in Valley Falls.
