The Understory Initiative

This Project Aims to Reduce the Abundance of Exotic Annual Grasses Within the Upper Rogue Oak Initiative Project Area. Currently, Most of the Meadows and Savannas That Occur Within the Project Area Are Highly Invaded by Medusahead Grass, North Africa Grass, and Various Annual Bromes. These Species Increase the Risk and Rate of Spread of Wildfire. They Also Degrade Habitat Characteristics, Such as Ungulate Forage and Pollinator Resources. Upper Rogue Oak Initiative Partners Will Collaborate to Time and Spatially Apply Prescribed to Clear Meadows of Exotic Annual Grasses and Thatch Build Up. Following Prescribed Burning, the Understory Initiative Will Work With BLM to Apply Additional Weed Treatment to Prevent Short Term Reinvasion. Finally, Seeding With Appropriate Native Species Will Be Conducted When Exotic Annual Grass Cover Has Been Adequately Diminished. Monitoring and Experimental Data Collection Will Be Utilized to Report the Efficacy of Treatments to Better Inform Future Exotic Annual Grass Removal Efforts in Southwest Oregon.