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Jake Robinson, Forest Science Coordinator
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Forest Science Coordinator
Jake Robinson is South Slough NERR’s first Forest Science Coordinator. He has been with the Reserve since April of 2008. Jake was hired to draft the Reserve’s Forest Management Plan which details planned management actions within the South Slough Reserve's 4000 acres of upland and freshwater riparian habitats. The planning effort is designed to address two complimentary needs: 1) the need to improve the habitat quality of the forests and upper watershed riparian areas that directly and indirectly affect coastal ecosystem function including salmonid life history patterns in the South Slough watershed; and 2) the need to address potentially fire-prone forest thickets within the Reserve.
Research and Restoration
A combination of innovative restoration techniques and sound scientific research is planned to accelerate the upland forest’s progression towards a variety of healthy mature forest types, specifically benefiting wildlife as well as whole watersheds. This Forest Management Plan ties in directly with the Reserve’s extensive research and restoration projects to expand the examination of coastal ecosystems from estuary to ridge top. The Forest Science Coordinator is responsible for the design and implementation of upland restoration activities while working closely with other Reserve staff to develop effective research and educational opportunities.
Forestry Workshop
In early February 2009 a two day workshop was held at the South Slough Reserve Interpretive Center which gathered a collection of regional and local participants with a wide array of experiences in forest ecology and management. Staff from the South Slough Reserve, Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Bureau of land Management, Forest Service, Oregon State University, Nature Conservancy, Coquille Tribe and others reviewed the latest draft of the Reserve's Forest Management Plan and discussed a wide variety of topics concerning coastal forest management. An incredible amount of information was shared and debated as participants related past experiences as well as innovative new ideas yet to be tried. The management and research of South Slough’s upland habitats will benefit greatly from this event. More interactions and workshops are planned for the future.
The draft of the Reserve's Forest Management Plan is available on the link below.
Draft South Slough NERR Upland Habitat Restoration Plan
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