Gila Watershed Partnership: Restoration to Mitigate Tamarisk Beetle Impacts

In 2015, the Gila Watershed Partnership (GWP) began work to restore native vegetation in 200 acres of tamarisk-dominated habitat along a 54-mile stretch of the Upper Gila Watershed. The goal was to create islands of native vegetation to act as refugia for threatened and endangered species and reduce tamarisk beetle impacts on flycatcher habitat. The team mechanically removed tamarisk using chainsaw crews and mulching machinery, applied triclopyr-based herbicide using foliar backpack sprayers, and conducted prescribed burns to remove piles and debris. GWP maintained land use agreements with partners and private landowners to execute the restoration.