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A primary goal of TNC at Ellsworth Creek is to restore naturally functioning ecosystems that support species and ecological processes representative of those found within unmanaged late-successional forest landscapes. However, the most effective approach to forest restoration at this scale is unknown. For this reason, TNC has partnered with several outside scientists to develop a large-scale experimental design to test different restoration pathways. These pathways include: active management (includes forest thinning and maintaining roads), passive management (includes removal of forest roads and no forest thinning), and a control (no immediate forest thinning and maintaining roads). Treatments will be applied to 8 experiemental sub-basins within the Ellsworth Creek watershed (see picutre below). Treatment implementation is currently scheduled to begin in 2009. Download the Ellsworth Creek Experimental Design and Study Plan for more detailed information on the experimental approach.

In 2006, TNC began the first of two years of intensive baseline monitoring throughout the watershed. Included in this monitoring are extensive surveys of forest migratory birds, spawning coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch), stream-associated amphibians, benthic macroinvertebrates, stream physical habitat, and forest structure and vegetation (find protocols on the Ellsworth Creek Monitoring page). These data will provide a solid understanding of pre-treatment conditions that will be invaluable in understanding the efficacy of each restoration treatment. Future results of the study are intended to inform restoration discussions and assist others interested in conducting forest restoration on their lands.

Ellsworth Creek Adaptive Management Area. Eight experimental sub-basins are located within the Ellsworth Creek watershed. Each sub-basin is designated by name (e.g., N1, N2) and treatment (active, passive, control).

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