Fort Clatsop Administrative History

Reforestation

The restoration of the historic scene through reforestation and planting of native vegetation has significantly altered the memorial's appearance since 1958. Programs carried out at the memorial were aimed at returning the natural environment to the coastal forest environment experienced by the Expedition. This concept, first expressed in 1958, began during site development construction, with plant screening around the fort replica and modern improvements. Primary emphasis was aimed at restoration on the east side of the replica where the previous county road had been. Later, Superintendent Thomson used landscaping and native vegetation to solve the problem with visitor traffic flow bypassing the visitor center.

During the 1970s, reforestation efforts spread to the open field areas targeted in the master plan. In 1973 and 1974, Superintendent Miele arranged for the donation of nursery stock from the Oregon State Forestry Department for reforestation along the county road and the memorial's open field spaces. While Miele's main objective was the restoration of the historic scene, he also saw the measure as cost effective, saving time and money consumed in mowing the surrounding fields. [16] Superintendent Bob Scott continued the reforestation project and over the ten years of his superintendency, 15,000 trees were planted, most of which were planted by Ross Petersen.

By 1980, emphasis shifted from planting to balancing the native vegetation being planted with the second growth vegetation already in existence. A mix of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, western red cedar, and Douglas fir composed the forests seen by Lewis and Clark. The alterations to the landscape over 150 years also shifted the balance of species in the area. Specifically, red alder had spread into areas where other native species had been removed. As the young trees being planted grew, red alder was targeted for thinning and removal to promote the growth of the selected native species. A gradual system of thinning and planting developed that from 1980 and 1986 removed between one-half and three and a half acres of red alder per year. [17] The cut wood was then utilized in the fort replica fireplaces and in the employee residence wood stoves. In 1985, there was enough of a surplus that wood was sold to the public. The following year, surplus firewood was given to Fort Vancouver for use in the bakery and blacksmith shop.

In 1984, the Resources Management Plan and needs were revised, stating the memorial's main objective in natural resources as the continued maintenance of the native vegetation and planting program. [18] Through deliberate maintenance, the memorial would be able to foster a diversity of species and the creation of shelter for elk and deer populations. Another plan revision was completed in 1986. While this revision did not change the objective for maintaining the native planting program, it added two additional natural resource management goals. The planting program was so successful that vistas between the fort and the river needed to be thinned to keep river views open. Second, pest management needed to be addressed to control any threats to the native plants. [19]