By SYDNEE ANDERSON
The Progress
A group of local volunteers, organized by the local nonprofit Virgin River Coalition (VRC), worked to restore habitats for the endangered Southwest Willow Flycatcher during a conservation project held on Saturday morning, March 9.
The effort was part of a program initiated by Bureau of Land Management to restore the Flycatcher habitats where they first masticated non-native tamarisk trees. The plan was to plant new native-species trees for better habitats. These trees include the Coyote Willow and the Gooddings Willow.
The Coyote Willow is a lower growing, more shrubby willow that provides a good cover on the ground for the birds. The Gooddings Willow is a taller tree that provides more structure for the bird’s habitats. Both of these trees work together to give the birds the best chance for an excellent habitat here in the Virgin Valley.
This purpose of the project was to improve the human benefits and ecological health of the Virgin River.
The VRC had a booth at the project site that informed people of the project and accepted sign ups for interested volunteers. The City of Mesquite and the Virgin Valley Water District also contributed to the project.
The project started with a safety briefing. Lillian Setters from the BLM and Nadia Rivas from the Great Basin Institute, discussed the Southwest Willow Flycatcher habitats and what the volunteers were going to be doing to help. That would consist of planting the two types of willows in holes previously dug by the BLM.
Then the 20 volunteers, young and old, went to work to plant as many of the trees as possible.
The small plant starts are expected to grow, and one day make a huge impact for these endangered birds, said Setters.
“The BLM has been working really hard to restore this area for the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher,” Setters said. “We’re so grateful for all the volunteers from the Mesquite area, and even Las Vegas, that came out and helped!”
Nadia Rivas added, “The Virgin River is home to endangered species such as the Southwestern Willow Flycatcher and the Yellow Billed Cuckoo. The habitat for these species has been quickly invaded by non-native tamarisk or salt cedar, which is causing these species to become displaced. Thanks to the volunteers that showed up today, we were able to get 300 native Coyote Willow and Goodings Willows in the ground! We hope these trees will combat the spread of Tamarisk and help bring the endangered bird species back to this habitat. It was a beautiful day to help our wildlife!”
VRC Coordinator Denise Houston said that he organized welcomed the partnership with the BLM and The City of Mesquite on the project. “Riparian restoration is an area of focus for the VRC,” she said. “Our desire is to make this an annual event. Thank you to the volunteers that came out today. Your time is appreciated.”
For more information about volunteering with the VRC, or joining the VRC email list email Denise Houston at virginrivercoalition@gmail.com or call 702-308-6736.
