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Wilcox Restoration Project

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The Wilcox Cartier Slough Property, containing approximately 390 acres, is located approximately 9 miles west of Rexburg, in Madison County, Idaho. Cartier Slough, a side channel of the Henry’s Fork of the Snake River winds through the Property from the northeast corner to the southwest portion of the Property. The Property consists primarily of horse and cattle pasture, irrigated farm ground, willow riparian communities along the Cartier Slough channel, and a few backwater wetland areas associated with the Slough channel.

Currently, the landowner uses the riparian corridor and the associated floodplain for wintering cattle. Willows in some areas of the riparian corridor are browsed heavily by cattle during winter months. Additionally, cattle and their young calves use willow stands for thermal cover and wind protection during inclement weather. This cover is critical for newborn calves.

The goal of this project is to increase willow and herbaceous residual cover in the riparian corridor and floodplain. Objectives of this project include: 1) working with the landowner to facilitate wintering his cattle in cultivated agricultural lands and upland pastures except during inclement weather and 2) supporting the landowner to upgrade infrastructure and improve efficiency of the cattle operation. Specifically, this restoration project includes: 1) planting two windbreaks in strategic locations along upland pastures to provide protection from weather for wintering cattle; 2) fencing windbreaks to protect from grazing during establishment; and 3) reseeding heavily impacted floodplain areas with grasses to increase the rate of recovery for these disturbed areas and provide cover for landbirds and waterbirds.

The Wilcox Cartier Slough conservation easement is monitored annually by the Teton Regional Land Trust. During annual stewardship visits to the property, the staff notes any man-made changes that have occurred on the property in the last year and tracks wildlife and noxious weeds observed on the property. Monitoring potential impacts to wildlife and riparian areas of the conservation easement property is important to ensure the proper management of the property. ■