Tongass National Forest

The Forest Plan encourages natural re-vegetation and use of native seeding/plantings when appropriate. Non-native species are being used for re-vegetation work especially when the cost of native species is prohibitive or they are unavailable. There is a letter of direction (file code 2600/2500 dated June 16, 1999) from the Forest Supervisor that specifies that native plant species should be used and what plant species to use for re-vegetation depending on their availability.

Data could be assembled for all recent re-vegetation efforts to determine if native species are being used or not. If they are not, then we could assess what are the real or perceived barriers to using native species for re-vegetation. Potential actions could be identified to overcome the barriers to using more native species for re-vegetation efforts.

Assemble a small group to assess recent re-vegetation efforts in relation to use of native plants for projects and assess whether or not use of non-native species was effective. Prepare a status report with recommendations as appropriate to re-vegetation efforts.

• Forest Ecologist
• Forest Engineering Staff Officer
• Forest Management Staff Officer

• Status report with recommendations as appropriate to re-vegetation efforts.