PARENT SESSION
Oral Session #49: Restoration of Public Lands.
Presiding: D. Gordon
Wednesday, August 7. 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Mohave Meeting Room, TCC.

Successful native plant salvaging.

SCHRENK, ANNA^*,1, ¹ Joshua Tree National Park, Twentnine Palms, CA

ABSTRACT- Joshua Tree National Park, in partnership with Federal Highway Administration, has recently completed the rehabilitation of 6.5 miles of road through the park. Park vegetation staff initiated intensive salvage efforts to mitigate the loss of vegetation within the project area. Boxing methods and a tree spade were used as the primary methods of salvage based on documented success rates, cost and time. Nearly 2500 individuals were salvage based on plant health, size and location. Joshua Trees (Yucca brevifolia), Mojave Yucca (Yucca schidigera), Cats Claw Acacia (Acacia greggii) and several cactus species were selected as the primary vegetation to be salvaged. Important data was collected during the salvage process on each individual so that we could look at success based on salvage method as well as other attributes. Monitoring criteria was established to evaluate plant health and survivability. First year monitoring data has been collected and the results are in and very promising for future salvage efforts.

KEY WORDS: salvage, joshua trees, boxing, tree spade