Photo:Mike Oldham 3/24/2006 Prescribed Burn

Photo:Mike Oldham 3/30/2006 Restoration Work

Nature Works, Inc. agreed last fall to partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in purchasing and restoring a 70 acre-tract of private land (improved pasture) to bottomland hardwood and wetland habitat.  Nature Works purchased the 70-acre Gillum tract in October, 2005.  Restoration will include constructing a 30-acres shallow wetland, and planting approximately 35 acres to bottomland hardwood tree species.  Deep Fork and Wichita Mountains Refuge staff were able to conduct a prescribed burn on the open pasture during mid March prior to planting trees or wetland construction.  A total of 315 containerized trees were purchased by Apache Corporation and planted by staff on March 30.  The mixture of hardwood species included Northern Hackberry, Red Bud, American Sycamore, Swamp White Oak, Southern Red Oak, Bur Oak, Pin Oak, and Shumard Oak.

The wetland construction work should begin in the near future.