Chapter 5—Tools of the Trade and Other Resources
- 5.1 Software
- 5.2 Government Web Sites
- 5.3 Organizational Web Sites
- 5.4 Restoration Tools and Products
No matter what the job, proper tools will make it easier. Restoration in wilderness settings requires a number of specialized tools (figures 5-1a and 5-1b). This chapter includes information about sources of tools that can make your job easier.
Figures 5-1a and 1b-Restoration workers (top) in the Eagle
Cap Wilderness,
OR, with the tools and supplies (bottom)
they packed into the wilderness.
- Biodraw-Autocad drawings for bioengineering techniques. Geared
toward large-scale applications rather than smaller applications used in wilderness
and backcountry. Useful for creating technical drawings for contracts. Also
includes best management practices and color photos of installations.
- Erosiondraw-Similar to Biodraw, but focuses on stabilization techniques that do not rely on living material. Geared toward large-scale applications such as road cutbanks.
Salix
Applied Earthcare
225 Locust St., Suite 203
Redding, CA 96001
Phone: 800-403-0474
Web
site: http://www.biodraw.com/
- Flora ID Northwest-This software is an electronic dichotomous key. Choose between Statewide keys, a Pacific Northwest key, and a Great Plains key.
XIDServices, Inc.
P.O. Box 272
Pullman, WA 99163
Phone: 509-332-2989
Web
site: http://www.xidservices.com
- Aldo Leopold Wilderness
Research Institute- Wilderness research, including restoration of small disturbed
sites. Web site: http://www.leopold.wilderness.net
- Arthur Carhart National
Wilderness Training Center-Offers courses and other tools for wilderness
management. Web site: http://www.carhart.wilderness.net
- Colorado Natural Areas
Program-Download the Native Plant Revegetation
Guide for Colorado.
Web site: http://parks.state.co.us/NaturalResources/CNAP/Publications/
- Conservation
Plant Materials Centers-These centers, a service of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, develop protocols for large-scale production
of native species for conservation. In recent years, they have worked
with the National Park Service to produce plant materials for restoration
projects. The specialists who respond to inquiries are very helpful.
Web site: http://www.plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/ (Select site map
for a list of the centers.)
- Fire Effects Information System-Among
its various features, this database allows a species-specific search.
Web site: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/
- National Plants Database-Helpful
Web site that includes plant life histories (native species and introduced
weeds), species distribution maps, and the most current scientific
names as well as previous scientific names. Web site: http://plants.usda.gov/
- Soil
Quality Institute-This Natural Resources Conservation Service Web site
has helpful publications for assessing and managing rangeland soils
available online. Web site: http://soils.usda.gov/sqi/
- University of Montana Invader Database-Noxious weed database for a five-State area. Web site: http://invader.dbs.umt.edu/
- Erosion
Control-Back issues of journal articles are available online. Web site:
http://www.forester.net/ec.html
- Native Plant Journal-Excellent online
database with plant propagation protocols. The journal features various
native plant species. Web site: http://www.nativeplantnetwork.org/
- Native
Plant Societies-Many of these Web sites have links to additional resources.
Consider
joining your State's native plant society to learn about native plant communities.
Arizona-http://www.aznps.org/ (this site has links to all States)
California-http://www.cnps.org/
Colorado-http://www.conps.org/
Idaho-http://www.idahonativeplants.org
Montana-http://www.umt.edu/sentinel/
New Mexico-http://npsnm.unm.edu/
Nevada-http://heritage.nv.gov/nnps.htm
Oregon-http://www.npsoregon.org/
Utah-http://www.unps.org/
Washington-http://www.wnps.org/
Wyoming-http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/WYNDD/wnps/
- Natural
Areas Association-Publishes the Natural Areas Journal, which includes many articles
on restoration. Web site: http://www.naturalarea.org/
- Society for Ecological Restoration (SER)-This Web site has lots of useful information including the Primer of Ecological Restoration. SER publishes two restoration journals, hosts conferences both internationally and regionally, and is working with Island Press Books to produce a series of books on ecological restoration. Web site: http://www.ser.org/
For a more complete listing of potential restoration tools and supplies see Items To Consider Including in a Restoration Project Budget in section 4.1.2, Budgeting. Most tools and products mentioned in this guide are available through forestry, agriculture, greenhouse, or gardening supply distributors. Several mail-order suppliers are listed below, but you may find a supplier in your area who can help you save on shipping costs.
- Forestry Suppliers, Inc.
P.O. Box 8397205
West Rankin St.
Jackson, MS 39284-8397
Phone:
800-752-8460 (customer service); 800-430-5566 (technical support)
Web site:
http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/
- IFM (Integrated Fertility Management, an organic growing supplier)
1422 N. Miller St., No. 8
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Phone:
800-332-3179
- Steuber Distributing Co. (greenhouse and nursery wholesaler)
P.O. Box 100
Snohomish, WA 98291-0100
Phone: 800-426-8815
(continental U.S.)
5.4.1 Pick Hoes or Miniature Plowshares
Fine garden supply companies are the most likely sources for these tools. Pick hoes (see figure 3-130) are the best tools for planting small greenhouse transplants. Unlike trowels, they use the power of the arm and shoulder, not just the hand, and keep the wrist in a more neutral position.
- E-Z Digger Oriental Garden Tool (Item 52604)
Lehman's
One Lehman Circle
P.O. Box
321
Kidron, OH 44636
Phone: 888-438-5346
Web site: http://www.lehmans.com/
- Long-Handled Ho-Mi Digger (Item CB103)
Lee Valley Tools, Ltd.
P.O. Box 1780
Ogdensburg,
NY 13669-6780
Phone: 800-871-8158
Web site: http://www.leevalley.com/
- Hoematic Pick and Digger (Item 627050)
Aubuchon Hardware
95 Aubuchon Dr.
Westminster,
MA 01473
Phone: 800-431-2712
Web site: http://aubuchonhardware.com/
- Pick & Hoe (Item G-2107)
Hidatool, Inc.
1333 San Pablo Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94702
Phone: 800-443-5512
or 510-524-3700
Web site: http://www.hidatool.com/
This tool (see figure 3-27) breaks up compaction to a depth of a foot (300 millimeters) or more. It will even pierce a hard plow-pan layer, but doesn't work well when compaction is at the soil surface. Push the tool's prongs in the soil, step onto the crosspiece, then use the handles to rock the tool back and forth gently (see section 3.2.3a, Scarification). This tool saves much backbreaking work that would otherwise require a pick or shovel. If you use stock to transport a U-bar digger, cover the tool's sharp tines with a homemade scabbard (figure 5-2).
Figures 5-2-When transporting a U-bar digger using stock,
cover the tool's
sharp tines with a homemade scabbard.
- U-Bar Digger (Item LB101)
Lee Valley Tools, Ltd.
P.O. Box 1780
Ogdensburg,
NY 13669-6780
Phone: 800-871-8158
Web site: http://www.leevalley.com/
The French watering can refers to a handle design that arches all the way from the base of the watering can up to the top front near the spout (see figure 3-140a). This design is easier on the back and arms because it allows the user to balance the can easily as it is tilted back and forth. Workers can carry full watering cans in pairs to balance the weight on both sides of their body. If you find this style of watering can at your local garden store, buy a supply, as they are hard to find in lightweight plastic.
- French Blue Watering Can (Item 06-341)
Gardener's Supply Co.
28 Intervale Rd.
Burlington,
VT 05401
Phone: 888-833-1412
Web site: http://www.gardeners.com/
A repellant treatment lasts for about 3 months after planting. There are formulations for deer and rodents (gophers and mice). The repellant is expensive, but not as expensive as replacing plantings.
- Repellex
Repellex Seedling Protection Systems
1888 Bobblett St.
Blaine, WA 98230
Phone:
877-737-3548
Web site: http://www.repellex.com
This Polydura 19 sign (see figure 3-142b) can be attached to a stake or hung from cord to close restoration sites.
- Restoration Sign (Item P1479)
J.L. Darling Corp.
2614
Pacific Hwy. East
Tacoma, WA 98424
Phone: 253-922-5000
Web site: http://www.riteintherain.com/
5.4.6 Erosion-Control Blankets
A variety of erosion-control blankets are on the market. Each company will probably refer you to a regional distributor. Prices vary by area. The products included here are all degradable-a desirable attribute for wilderness and backcountry applications. Nettings are photodegradable over a period of years; the knots of the net are the last to degrade and can remain for many years. Small animals can become entangled in any netting product. With many products, the netting is loose and can be removed when the product is installed. Nondegradable geotextile products are also on the market. They may be needed to stabilize the soil in extreme situations. Straw and excelsior products are very bright when first installed, but they turn gray in a season or two. Compare figures 3-138a and 138b (new Curlex and Curlex after one winter) with figure 3-147d (Curlex years after installation).
American Excelsior Co.
850 Ave. H East
Arlington, TX 76011
Phone: 800-777-7645
Web
site: http://www.curlex.com
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.4) | 101.25 (30.8) | 810 (75.25) | 66 (30) | 40 |
Description: Aspen wood shavings with photodegradable plastic mesh (see figure 3-147b). Natural-colored netting on one side of the blanket. Available with white photodegradable netting that decomposes in 30 to 60 days.
Advantages: Easy to install, promotes seedling survival, decomposes in 2 to 5 years. Proven to work well in subalpine environments. Netting can be removed.
Disadvantages: Another blanket application may be needed every 3 to 4 years if the site has not stabilized adequately.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.4) | 67.5 (20.6) | 540 (50.2) | 75 (34) | 54 |
Description: Aspen wood shavings with black heavy-duty plastic netting on both sides. Available with biodegradable woven jute thread.
Advantages: Effective on steep slopes and areas with high-velocity runoff.
Disadvantages: Netting is visible and lasts for many years.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.4) | 90 (27.4) | 720 (67) | 58 (26) | 44 |
Description: Aspen wood shavings with 100-percent biodegradable stitching.
Advantages: Protects seeds, enhances germination, and hastens revegetation. No netting to ensnare animals. Attaches to soil surface with biodegradable plastic staples.
Disadvantages: Too new to evaluate.
Contech Construction Products, Inc.
9025 Centre Pointe Drive, Suite 400
West
Chester, OH 45069
Phone: 800-338-1122
Web site: http://www.contech-cpi.com
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12.5 (3.8) | 432 (132) | 5,400 (502) | 90 (41) | 300 |
Description: Lightweight biodegradable green synthetic jute.
Advantages: Holds seed and soil in place. Allows unobstructed growth of woody material. Degrades in 12 months.
Disadvantages: Doesn't control erosion as well as denser products. Breaks down too quickly to be useful for many restoration projects. Highly flammable.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 (2.3) | 120 (37) | 900 (84) | 40 (18) | 50 |
Description: Straw blanket with yellow netting on one side.
Advantages: Protects slopes as steep as 3:1. Degrades in 12 months.
Disadvantages: Some risk of importing weed seed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 (2.3) | 120 (37) | 900 (84) | 40 (18) | 60 |
Description: Straw blanket with yellow netting on both sides.
Advantages: Good for slopes as steep as 3:1. Degrades in 18 months.
Disadvantages: Some risk of importing weed seed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 (2.3) | 120 (37) | 900 (84) | 40 (18) | 65 |
Description: Straw/coconut blend blanket.
Advantages: Good for slopes as steep as 2:1. Degrades in 24 months.
Disadvantages: Some risk of importing weed seed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 (2.3) | 120 (37) | 900 (84) | 46 (21) | 110 |
Description: 100-percent coconut blanket with tan biodegradable netting.
Advantages: Good for slopes as steep as 2:1 and for protecting channels. Degrades in 48 months.
Disadvantages: Does not work as well as excelsior products for retaining moisture and preventing soil recompaction in subalpine settings.
Erosion-Control Systems
9015 Energy Lane
North Port, AL 35476
Phone: 205-373-8900
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.4) | 112 (34) | 900 (84) | 55 (25) | 25 |
Description: Agricultural straw with photodegradable plastic netting on one side, sewn on 2-inch (51-millimeter) centers.
Advantages: Lightweight, encourages growth for 6 to 8 months. Available in custom widths.
Disadvantages: May decompose too quickly. Some risk of introducing weed seed. The 8-foot-wide rolls would have to be cut in half before they could be packed by stock.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.4) | 112 (34) | 900 (84) | 60 (27) | 28 |
Description: Agricultural straw with photodegradable plastic netting on both sides, sewn on 2-inch (51-millimeter) centers.
Advantages: Encourages growth for 6 to 8 months in areas with medium runoff and on slopes from 2:1 to 3:1. Available in custom widths.
Disadvantages: May decompose too quickly. Some risk of introducing weed seed. The 8-foot-wide rolls would have to be cut in half before they could be packed by stock.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.4) | 112 (34) | 900 (84) | 85 (39) | 35 |
Description: Excelsior fiber mat covered with photodegradable plastic netting, sewn on 2-inch (51-millimeter) centers.
Advantages: Provides erosion maintenance for 6 to 12 months. Promotes seedling survival. May be easier to install than Curlex.
Disadvantages: The 8-foot-wide rolls would have to be cut in half before they could be packed by stock.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.4) | 112 (34) | 900 (84) | 120 (54) | 45 |
Description: Wood excelsior with photodegradable plastic netting, sewn on both sides.
Advantages: Erosion control for 12 to 24 months. Good for areas with high erosion potential.
Disadvantages: Heavy. The 8-foot-wide rolls would have to be cut in half before they could be packed by stock.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.4) | 112 (34) | 900 (84) | 120 (54) | 45 |
Description: Durable coconut fibers encased in heavyweight UV-stabilized nets on both sides.
Advantages: Erosion control for up to 3 years. Good for slopes as steep as 1:1 and areas with high runoff. Dark brown color blends in faster on dark soils (see figure 3-139a). Other products need a couple years to weather before blending in. Easy to install.
Disadvantages: Doesn't work as well as excelsior products for retaining soil moisture and preventing soil recompaction in subalpine settings. The 8-foot-wide rolls would have to be cut in half before they could be packed by stock.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.4) | 112 (34) | 900 (84) | 65 (29) | 54 |
Description: Straw and coconut fibers that will degrade more slowly, sewn with photodegradable plastic netting on both sides.
Advantages: Erosion control for up to 3 years. Good for slopes as steep as 2:1 and areas with medium runoff.
Disadvantages: Some risk of importing weed seed. The 8-foot-wide rolls would have to be cut in half before they could be packed by stock.
North American Green
14649 Hwy. 41 North
Evansville, IN 47725
Phone: 800-772-2040
Web
site: http://www.nagreen.com
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.7 (2) | 108 (33) | 720 (67) | 40 (18) | 50 |
Description: Straw fiber blanket with photodegradable netting on both sides.
Advantages: Erosion control for up to 2 months. Lightweight. Stitched every 1½ inches (38 millimeters).
Disadvantages: Netting may decompose too quickly. Some risk of importing weed seed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.7 (2) | 108 (33) | 720 (67) | 40 (18) | 50 |
Description: Straw blanket with photodegradable netting on both sides.
Advantages: Erosion control for up to 12 months on 2:1 to 3:1 slopes and in areas with drainage channels carrying moderate flows.
Disadvantages: Decomposes rapidly. Some risk of importing weed seed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.7 (2) | 108 (33) | 720 (67) | 40 (18) | 50 |
Description: Straw blanket with photodegradable netting on one side.
Advantages: Erosion control for up to 12 months. Promotes seedling survival on 3:1 to 4:1 slopes.
Disadvantages: Some risk of importing weed seed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.7 (2) | 108 (33) | 720 (67) | 44 (20) | 70 |
Description: 70-percent straw/30-percent coconut fiber blanket with netting on both sides.
Advantages: Erosion control for up to 24 months. Provides long-term erosion control and allows vegetation to become established on slopes as steep as 1:1 and in areas with drainage channels carrying moderate flows.
Disadvantages: Some risk of importing weed seed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.7 (2) | 108 (33) | 720 (67) | 52 (24) | 70 |
Description: 100-percent coconut fiber blanket with biodegradable natural netting on both sides.
Advantages: Erosion control for up to 24 months. Provides long-term erosion control and allows vegetation to become established on slopes steeper than 1:1 and in areas with drainage channels carrying high flows.
Disadvantages: Does not work as well as excelsior products for retaining soil moisture and preventing recompaction in subalpine settings.
Mirafi Construction Products
365 South Holland Dr.
Pendergrass, GA 30567
Phone:
706-693-2226
Web Site: http://www.mirafi.com/
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 (3.7) | 100 (30) | 1,197 (111) | 100 (45) | Call for estimate |
Description: An ultraviolet-stabilized polypropylene rolled mat created for revegetation and to reinforce turf.
Advantages: Highly porous, very flexible. Enhances vegetative growth.
Disadvantages: Heavy, takes a long time to degrade. Would need to be cut before it could be packed by stock.
Propex Fabrics, Inc.
6025 Lee Hwy.
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: 800-445-7732
Web
site: http://www.geotextile.com
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 (2.2) | 1,200 (366) | 9,000 (836) | 44 (20) | 450 |
Description: Flexible, scrim composite blanket of polypropylene fibers reinforced with polypropylene netting. Good for slopes up to 1.5:1 and for areas with heavy rainfall.
Advantages: Lightweight, conforms to the surface of the ground, and promotes absorption of water by the soil. Fibers mimic root structure. Applying water on the product's surface helps it adhere to the soil.
Disadvantages: Netting degrades in about 2 months, which may be too soon for some restoration sites.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.45) | 112.5 (34.3) | 900 (84) | 55 (25) | Call for estimate |
Description: Wheat straw blanket with photodegradable netting on both sides, stitched on 2-inch (51-millimeter) centers.
Advantages: Degrades in 12 months.
Disadvantages: Some risk of importing weed seed. The stitched netting cannot be removed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.45) | 112.5 (34.3) | 900 (84) | 55 (25) | Call for estimate |
Description: 100-percent coconut fiber blanket with photodegradable netting on both sides, stitched on 2-inch (51-millimeter) centers.
Advantages: Degrades in 36 months.
Disadvantages: Does not work as well as excelsior products for retaining soil moisture and preventing soil recompaction in subalpine settings. The stitched netting cannot be removed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.45) | 112.5 (34.3) | 900 (84) | 53 (24) | Call for estimate |
Description: 100-percent wheat straw with photodegradable netting on one side, stitched on 2-inch (51-millimeter) centers.
Advantages: Degrades in 12 months.
Disadvantages: Some risk of importing weed seed. The stitched netting cannot be removed.
| Width ft (m) | Length ft (m) | Area Covered sq ft (sq m) | Weight lb (kg) | Cost per roll dollars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (2.45) | 112.5 (34.3) | 900 (84) | 55 (25) | Call for estimate |
Description: 70-percent wheat straw/30-percent coconut fiber. The top netting is UV-stabilized polypropylene. The bottom netting is photodegradable polypropylene. Mesh openings are 3/8 by 3/8 inch (9.5 by 9.5 millimeters).
Advantages: Degrades in 24 months.
Disadvantages: Some risk of importing weed seed.
