Program Draft
River Fork Ranch Master Plan
November 8, 2000

The following draft program is based on an October 29th memo from Graham as well as notes and comments from Judy, Ame and others. This program should be the basis for our plan. The final master plan will be a synthesis between the program and the site analysis. Please take some time to review and send me your ideas or discuss them with me for inclusion in a second draft program. In the meantime, I am using this November 8th draft to start generating plan alternatives, i.e. access points, parking areas, interpretive trails, bridges, boardwalks, etc.

MISSION STATEMENT:

It is the mission of River Fork Ranch to provide permanent protection of the ranch, conserve and improve biodiversity, demonstrate compatible ranching protection, and provide for educational opportunities and public outreach programs.

Goals:
Protection - It is the intent of the Nature Conservancy and Timken-Sturgis Foundation to provide in perpetuity permanent protection for River Fork Ranch.

Biodiversity - The River Fork Ranch provides a great opportunity to show how biodiversity can be restored and conserved within a working livestock ranch.

Ranching - As the ranch is developed for multi-purpose use, ensure that River Fork remains a viable ranching operation and demonstrate compatible wholistic ranching practices.

Public Outreach - Provide the general public, nature study enthusiasts and school children with opportunities to learn about River Fork biodiversity and how ranching and wildlife can work together.

In response to the above mission and goals, the following categories represent action statements that will lead the development alternatives for River Fork Ranch.

Land Use
In an effort to organize various activities on River Fork there will be a need to identify and segregate uses to avoid potential conflicts. Conflicts revolve around public access. Three potential activities that will be affected by public access trails include ranching activities, wildlife disturbance at certain times of year, and hunting. Other conflicts involve cattle grazing in wetland and riparian zones. Two important methods of resolving potential conflicts are through the use of fencing and location and management of interpretive trails. Fences and gates will be added to River Fork to better manage the relationship between biodiversity and cattle grazing. Some areas may be permanently fenced from cattle, others will be selected to limit access to cattle between March 1st and July 15th. In the beginning, interpretive trails will be located generally away from ranching activities. In time, based on experience, a trail to view portions of the river may be desirable. A trail in the Carson River Fork area may be desirable at this time. Other land use considerations will be discussed under visitor facilities and restoration.

Visitor Facilities
A building located off Foothill Road will be developed to include restroom facilities, office space, conference room, storage, and a relatively small interpretive center where classes could be seated before going out on the trails. This space may have audio visual capabilities and minimal interpretive displays. General parking should be kept to a minimum with overflow parking (at school bus parking) located on the west side of Foothill Road. A deck is envisioned overlooking the wetlands where deck railing exhibits could be located.

Interpretive trails will be located along already existing ‘animal’ trails and along the tops of berms. Small bridges and a boardwalk into the bulrush area are envisioned. Trails will be organized to provide a range of lengths and locations in all the habitat zones. Each habitat type should have a wayside exhibit that explains it’s unique qualities and suggests what kind of wildlife may be seen in this habitat. Wayside exhibits should be site specific, interactive, entertaining, and send a clear massage about how the reader can apply this information.

Two other potential public access points that will be investigated are south of Wally’s and along Genoa Lane across from the corral area. Wally’s may be suitable for a very small parking area and outlook. An easement from Wally’s to use their access road would be advisable due to steepness on River Fork property in that area. A very short trail to the hot spring with a wayside exhibit may be interesting to many visitors.

The Genoa Lane access may be desirable for launching river rafts, although this activity needs to be further researched in the spring. A trail linking Genoa with River Fork seems to be highly beneficial. Bicycling should be a low priority due to conflicts with nature study hikers and habitat quality. Horseback riding should also have a lower priority and should not be developed at the expense of wetland or meadow habitat.

1. Restoring Wetlands: The areas along both the west and east channels that contain tule-cattail wetlands and wet meadows should be restored with a minimal effort. What actual practices should be implemented? Fencing? More water? Planting wetland species?
   
   
2. Restoring Cottonwood-Willow Riparian Habitat: The Carson River Forks and along the west and east slough channels should have their riparian trees and shrubs restored. This implies planting and protection. Planting small trees and shrubs in wet soils (late autumn, spring) is probably the highest cost benefit. Protecting young and more mature trees along the rivers will require protection from cattle. How is this to be accomplished? Planting lots of willow and poplar seedlings and fencing the rivers or planting larger trees and individually fencing each planted tree? Riparian planting could certainly start in the slough channels after fencing is accomplished. In certain areas, just fencing will allow young self sowed riparian plants to germinate.
   
   
3. Evaluating river and slough channel geomorphology: Determine the best methods to enhance river channel health and water quality.
   
   
4. Adding a cottonwood grove and other bird attracting plants around the proposed interpretive center: Planting a song bird garden that shows local residents how to attract song birds could be a valuable addition. The garden could feature both nature and introduced shrubs and small trees and show how a song bird garden is organized to maximize bird diversity.
   

d) aquatics - get assistance from Don Sada to inventory spring sources and channels. Hot water taxa could be an interesting subject for a wayside exhibit!

to River Fork to better manage the relationship between biodiversity and cattle grazing. Some areas may be permanently fenced from cattle, others will be selected to limit access to cattle between March 1st and July 15th. In the beginning, interpretive trails will be located generally away from ranching activities. In time, based on experience, a trail to view portions of the river may be desirable. A trail in the Carson River Fork area may be desirable at this time. Other land use considerations will be discussed under visitor facilities and restoration.

Visitor Facilities
A building located off Foothill Road will be developed to include restroom facilities, office space, conference room, storage, and a relatively small interpretive center where classes could be seated before going out on the trails. This space may have audio visual capabilities and minimal interpretive displays. General parking should be kept to a minimum with overflow parking at school bus parking located on the west side of Foothill Road. A deck is envisioned overlooking the wetlands where deck railing exhibits could be located.

Interpretive trails will be located along already existing ‘animal’ trails and along the tops of berms. Small bridges and a boardwalk into bulrush area are envisioned. Trail will be organized to provide a range of lengths and locations in all the habitat zones. Each habitat type should have a wayside exhibit that explains it’s unique qualities and suggests what kind of wildlife may be seen in this habitat. Wayside exhibits should be site specific, interactive, entertaining, and send a clear massage about how the reader can apply this information. General parking should be kept to a minimum with overflow parking at school bus parking located on the west side of Foothill Road.

1. Restoring Wetlands: The areas along both the west and east channels that contain tule-cattail wetlands and wet meadows should be restored with a minimal effort. What actual practices should be implemented? Fencing? More water? Planting wetland species?
   
   
2. Restoring Cottonwood-Willow Riparian Habitat: The Carson River Forks and along the west and east slough channels should have their riparian trees and shrubs restored. This implies planting and protection. Planting small trees and shrubs in wet soils (late autumn, spring) is probably the highest cost benefit. Protecting young and more mature trees along the rivers will require protection from cattle. How is this to be accomplished? Planting lots of willow and poplar seedlings and fencing the rivers or planting larger trees and individually fencing each planted tree? Riparian planting could certainly start in the slough channels after fencing is accomplished. In certain areas, just fencing will allow young self sowed riparian plants to germinate.
   
   
3. There is a need to evaluate river and slough channel geomorphology and determine the best methods to enhance river channel health and water quality.
   
4. Adding a cottonwood grove and other bird attracting plants around the proposed interpretive center. Planting a song bird garden that shows local residents how to attract song birds could be a valuable addition. The garden could feature both native and introduced shrubs and small trees and show how a song bird garden is organized to maximize bird diversity.