Protecting Young Aspen

The Flagstaff Ranger District contains approximately 50 aspen “exclosures:” areas fenced to exclude elk, deer, and livestock. The locations range from the Hochderffer Hills (just north of the San Francisco Peaks) to five miles south of Mormon Lake. Experience has shown that the fences around young aspen need to be maintained for 20 to 30 years. If the fences are removed any sooner—or are allowed to deteriorate—the elk, deer, and livestock make short work of the young aspen.

The Forest Service has also started a project to restore aspen on some 3200 acres in the Hart Prairie area (immediately west of the San Francisco Peaks).

You can join work parties to repair fences that have been damaged by falling trees or have been deliberately cut (by the irresponsible). You can build new fences or rebuild existing fences to endure for the 20 to 30 years that are now recognized as the necessary time span. You can monitor exclosures periodically. There’s a way to help for persons of all abilities and strengths.

Schedule of aspen workdays for 2012

In 2012, we will hold a public workday on the third Saturday of each month--beginning in May and running through September.  For details about the upcoming workday, please click on "Calendar of Events" under the banner.

To participate or for more information, contact FoNAF's Aspen Fence Project Coordinator, Dave Downes. Phone: 928-522-9207 Email: downes@haas.berkeley.edu

If you cannot reach Dave, direct your questions to Patty Ringle, Silviculturist with the Coconino National Forest. Phone: 928-257-8285. Email: pringle@fs.fed.us,

or

Justin Loxley, Volunteer Coordinator for the Forest Service. Phone: 928-527-8213. Email:   jdloxley@fs.fed.us 

The aspen program has been one of our most successful projects to date and has a section devoted specifically to it on the main menu bar. Click on the "Aspen Program" link below the banner for more information.