Season Review
During the 2011-2012 season, the Jawbone crew completed a whopping 15,467 square meters of restoration across six polygons in Jawbone. The crew restored 54 incursion sites, planting 3389 vertical mulch bushes and building 61 erosion control structures over the season. As side projects, the crew also completed pre-restoration monitoring for the 2012-2013 season, worked on revegetation monitoring in the Rand Mountain Management Area, and completed two hard barrier projects. Restoration work in Jawbone can be both physically and mentally challenging due to the unpredictability and intensity of the weather as well as potential for monotony in the work, but the crew did a great job of managing these circumstances.
Some highlights of this season’s work include closing a route system within polygon JB13 and completing restoration on both sides of a massive hill climb on polygon JB19. Much of the six days working on one side of the hill climb were spent collecting rocks for the 24 erosion control structures. Though there would be other rocks collected and structures built, this was the largest and most demanding project of the season. One aspect of the work the crew particularly enjoyed was learning about the ecological benefits of restoration in the desert. Seeing work from years past with substantial regrowth was encouraging throughout the season.
Thank Yous
On behalf of the Jawbone crew, I’d like to thank all the BLM Ridgecrest staff who contributed to our successful season. In particular, I’d like to acknowledge the immense amount of time, support, effort, and tasty treats Steve Gomez dedicated to the Jawbone and Rands crews this season. I’d also like to thank Craig Beck for overseeing the projects and being supportive of the needs of the crew. Many thanks to the Salt Wells Fire Station and Don Washington for S-212 Chainsaw training, and Eddie Duque for ATV Safety Training. I’d also like to Danny Tyree for his archaeological oversight and contributions throughout the season. Again, we are greatly appreciative of all that the BLM staff have done to make our season so wonderful.
Special thanks to the Kern River Preserve for having us out to work for a hitch when our fate was uncertain, and also to Inyo County Towing for rescuing us from the backcountry…twice!
Conservation Work Totals
Restoration Sites Restored 54
Sites Monitored 58
Line of Site Meters Restored 7992
Square Meters Restored 15467
Polygons Restored 6
Vertical Mulch (#) 3389
Seed Pits (#) 3327
Hard Barriers Installed (#) 2.2
Hard Barriers Installed (m) 20.1
Erosion Control (#) 61
