America’s Big Six Focal Region: Colonial Forests
Focal Landscape: Central Appalachian Mountains
Location: George Washington National Forest, North River Ranger District; Wallace Marshall Stewardship Project near Williamsville, Virginia
Cost estimate of completed project: $167,264; NWTF contribution: $ 25,887
Overview: Stewardship project on the George Washington National Forest along the Cowpasture River in Bath County, Virginia. The agreement was signed in March 2014 and concludes Dec. 31, 2018.
Description of work:
- Reduce nonnative invasive plants
- Establish and restore native hedgerows and enhance riparian buffer by planting native shrub species
- Enhance and restore wetland
- Establish and maintain permanent fire line
- Convert cool-season grasses to native warm-season grasses
- Improve sportsmen access
- Create wildlife openings
- Create early successional habitat through timber harvests
Partners: USDA Forest Service, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Ruffed Grouse Society, Virginia Deer Hunters Association, NWTF Virginia State Chapter
Species targeted: American woodcock, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, white-tailed deer