Join the Forest Service and partners for a unique Observation opportunity!
A photo of the damaged Shush Kin fen. Hoofprints and trampled vegetation are visible.
Click on the image to view a brief presentation explaining what a histosol fen is and how the District is working to protect this one.
Located at the headwaters of Bluewater Creek is a histosol fen (a unique feature occurring in wet areas where the soil is saturated year-round) in need of restoration. Overgrazing, trampling, and compaction have denigrated the condition of Shush Kin fen, while fences in need of repair have reduced the ability of the nearby grazing permittee to restrict the movement of cattle in the area.
The Mt. Taylor Ranger District and Bat Conservation International are working together to protect Shush Kin fen and restore the form and function of this wetland while also creating wildlife habitat. Interested individuals are invited to observe the team building a pipe fence around the fen during the week of June 26-30.
The Forest Service has worked to restore three nearby springs - which feed into Bluewater Creek - by installing wire fencing. Beaver dam analogues and erosion control dams will also be installed in the future to stabilize stream banks.
This project is being carried out in partnership with New Mexico Game & Fish, Bat Conservation International, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, NM EMNRD - Forestry Division, the local grazing permittee, and USFS Range staff and the Region 3 Biologist.
The project is located north of Forest Road 50 next to the Cerna homestead. Click here for directions to the parking area.
All interested individuals should contact Consuelo Lemaire, District Biologist, at consuelo.lemaire@usda.gov to arrange a site visit while work is in progress.