Equipment used in Moist-Soil Marsh Management

Tractors and different equipment are used in Moist-Soil Management at the refuge. After completing a prescribed burn on Columbia National Wildlife Refuge, the Engine Captain of Columbia NWR Fire Management discs the burned area. Prescribed fire was used here to reduce a monotypic stand of cattail, creating more suitable marsh habitat. After conducting the prescribed fire, the burn area was disced to disturb the soil and better break up the remaining roots of cattail. With the completion of this work by month’s end, the marsh unit will be re-flooded. This practice, called Moist-Soil Management, encourages the growth of naturally occurring seed bearing plants for the benefit of migrating and wintering waterfowl , including lesser sandhill cranes, western and lesser Canada geese, Taverner’s cackling geese, northern pintails, lesser scaups, mallards, redheads, canvasbacks, blue-winged teals, and others.