Just thought I'd pass along a newsletter item I received that may be of interest to others. It affects the portion of the Ozark Highlands Trail that we adopted a few years ago. FYI, our section runs from MM (mile marker) 144.1 to 147.8.
"Tremendous changes are coming to the OHT neighborwoods in the Richland Creek Campground area as the result of approval of the 38,000 acre Bearcat Hollow II Project of the Big Piney Ranger District of Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Huge areas of the project will be thinned and converted to savannah by use of machinery, herbicides and fire between MM 136.2 (FR 1203) and 151.7 (FR 1201), but without directly impacting the trail corridor (includes the tread and 206 feet to the sides) except from MM 150.4 to 151.7.
After OHT President Mike Lemaster and Duane Woltjen met with District Ranger Bruce Davenport and two of his staff on July 13, 2012 at Stack Rock TH, the project plan was modified to protect and encourage development of the closed canopy along the OHT where creation of savannah had been planned from MM150.4 to 151.7.
We asserted that closed canopy was critical to the ability of the OHTA to maintain the OHT (Ask any trail volunteer maintainer!) because forest floor exposed to open sky produces extreme bramble, and closed canopy is what hikers expect, want and have enjoyed along the OHT. (Hikers designed and built the OHT for hikers).
The win-win ending of this hood top conference at Stack Rock TH is the Bearcat Hollow II Project now offers the OHTA and the Forest Service an opportunity to open the under-story by selectively removing excessive trees and ground level growth from the under-story by use of tools, machinery, herbicides and carefully controlled burning, and by retaining “recruit” trees and releasing desirable sprouts to grow to become succeeding generations of canopy trees.
Flowering favorites such as dogwood, redbud, service berry and wild plum are to remain. Any trail damage as the result of the project is to be repaired by the FS or under their directive. Annual meetings are now planned to evaluate progress and determine corrective action to achieve these objectives (Do we have to meet in the mid-July heat?).
The OHT is a downright pleasurable way to access many scenic locations near the trail as well as on the trail. Variations in landscape from panoramic views to waterfalls, pine forest to hardwood forest, cedar glades to clear stream swimming holes, bluffs and caves and huge boulders and pedestal rocks are all easily accessible, or right on the trail.
Missing from the scene is savannah, reportedly more common in the pre-Columbian time when Native Americans were the soul human occupants of the land. At that time and not for long thereafter, an eastern variety of elk and buffalo wandered the Ozarks along with passenger pigeons, ivory-billed woodpeckers and a myriad of other plants and animals. Prairie landscapes were large and common in many areas of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma that are now in row crops or fescue, or succeeded to woodlands. Fire was more common then because it was beneficial to Native Americans as they managed the landscape to keep those buffalo and elk in their tribal territory for convenience, to keep the peace or perhaps assert rights.
Keep watch in the coming years for added attractions along or near this section of the OHT such as elk, stands of bluestem, prairie flowers, and birds you hardly know like meadowlark, dickcissel, quail, or Henslow’s sparrows, and all varieties of savannah critters."
Thanks for posting this Bill. I thoroughly enjoyed the times we spent on our "Gatherings" through out the area. It's nice to see someone stepping up and looking to the future enjoyment of those who follow.
Yep Tom, 38,000 acres is a lot to clear. I can't imagine this will not affect the color and clarity of the water draining Falling Water and RC. This isn't looking good...
We've had a lot of fun and inspiring times here, Merle, and will continue to do so I'm sure. Don't be such a stranger up there in Missouri ...
Discussion
3 replies"Tremendous changes are coming to the OHT neighborwoods in the Richland Creek Campground area as the result of approval of the 38,000 acre Bearcat Hollow II Project of the Big Piney Ranger District of Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Huge areas of the project will be thinned and converted to savannah by use of machinery, herbicides and fire between MM 136.2 (FR 1203) and 151.7 (FR 1201), but without directly impacting the trail corridor (includes the tread and 206 feet to the sides) except from MM 150.4 to 151.7.
After OHT President Mike Lemaster and Duane Woltjen met with District Ranger Bruce Davenport and two of his staff on July 13, 2012 at Stack Rock TH, the project plan was modified to protect and encourage development of the closed canopy along the OHT where creation of savannah had been planned from MM150.4 to 151.7.
We asserted that closed canopy was critical to the ability of the OHTA to maintain the OHT (Ask any trail volunteer maintainer!) because forest floor exposed to open sky produces extreme bramble, and closed canopy is what hikers expect, want and have enjoyed along the OHT. (Hikers designed and built the OHT for hikers).
The win-win ending of this hood top conference at Stack Rock TH is the Bearcat Hollow II Project now offers the OHTA and the Forest Service an opportunity to open the under-story by selectively removing excessive trees and ground level growth from the under-story by use of tools, machinery, herbicides and carefully controlled burning, and by retaining “recruit” trees and releasing desirable sprouts to grow to become succeeding generations of canopy trees.
Flowering favorites such as dogwood, redbud, service berry and wild plum are to remain. Any trail damage as the result of the project is to be repaired by the FS or under their directive. Annual meetings are now planned to evaluate progress and determine corrective action to achieve these objectives (Do we have to meet in the mid-July heat?).
The OHT is a downright pleasurable way to access many scenic locations near the trail as well as on the trail. Variations in landscape from panoramic views to waterfalls, pine forest to hardwood forest, cedar glades to clear stream swimming holes, bluffs and caves and huge boulders and pedestal rocks are all easily accessible, or right on the trail.
Missing from the scene is savannah, reportedly more common in the pre-Columbian time when Native Americans were the soul human occupants of the land. At that time and not for long thereafter, an eastern variety of elk and buffalo wandered the Ozarks along with passenger pigeons, ivory-billed woodpeckers and a myriad of other plants and animals. Prairie landscapes were large and common in many areas of Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma that are now in row crops or fescue, or succeeded to woodlands. Fire was more common then because it was beneficial to Native Americans as they managed the landscape to keep those buffalo and elk in their tribal territory for convenience, to keep the peace or perhaps assert rights.
Keep watch in the coming years for added attractions along or near this section of the OHT such as elk, stands of bluestem, prairie flowers, and birds you hardly know like meadowlark, dickcissel, quail, or Henslow’s sparrows, and all varieties of savannah critters."
Hope all is well with you.
merle
We've had a lot of fun and inspiring times here, Merle, and will continue to do so I'm sure. Don't be such a stranger up there in Missouri ...