Woodlands Habitat Improvement a Year-round Project

First posted on 07-01-2011

If you want to go forward with your wildlife habitat improvement on your land, look at the past, said biologist Wesley Wright of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Wright talked to landowners at a recent workshop in Jasper and on the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area.

Take a strong look at how your land has been used in the past, Wright said. If it has been pasture land, that’s an indication that there is a poor seed bank for native vegetation. If it is former forest land that had been logged, that’s a sign of a good seed bank.

With a favorable seed bank, bush hogging and disking can promote the germination of natural plants that have been dormant, even those not seen for many years. Former pastures may have been dominated by fescue, a grass that is invasive and often chokes out all other vegetation. This results in few native seeds for the bank.

Land that has had trees that were cut and removed, however, usually has a supply of native grasses, shrubs and bushes that will spring up when there is an opportunity.

Wright said the components for working land for wildlife habitat are bush hogging, disking, drilling and herbicides. After the preparation, the desired new plantings can be done by drilling, and the selective use of chemicals stimulates the sought-after vegetation and knocks back species that are not wanted.

A variety of food for wildlife is needed, he said. Natural vegetation can supply much of this, and the growths can be supplemented by plantings such as sunflowers, buckwheat and alfalfa that are used by many animals, including birds.

Landowners who want to improve their acreage to benefit wildlife can call on professionals for suggestions and to draw up plans of action. The advice from the AGFC and the Arkansas Forestry Commission is free.

To reach a regional AGFC private lands biologist, phone toll-free Beaver Lake 866-253-2508; Jonesboro, 877-972-5438; Brinkley, 877-734-4581; Fort Smith, 877-478-1043; Monticello, 877-367-3559; Mayflower, 877-470-3650; Calico Rock, 877-297-4331; Camden, 877-836-4512, and Hope, 877-777-5580.

For help from the Arkansas Forestry Commission, phone 501-296-1940 for its Little Rock headquarters or district offices: 870-367-6767, Monticello; 870-286-2139, Dierks; 870-633-6693, Forrest City; 870-533-4641, Stamps; 501-332-2081, Malvern; 479-754-2741, Clarksville; 870-269-3441, Mountain View; 870-994-2187, Ash Flat, or 501-679-2806, Greenbrier.

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