The John Day Native Plants Nursery Program started in 2004 under the John Day Watershed Restoration Project (1998-018-00; nka 2007-397-00).  In 2011, the nursery program was moved under the Forrest Conservation Area Project because of county land zoning and the project's ability to generate revenue.  This contract will fund work that propagates, grows, and plants at least 15,000 plants for the Tribes' BPA-funded projects including the Forrest Conservation Area, the Oxbow Conservation Area (2000-015-00), and the John Day Watershed Restoration Project.  The nursery will also assist with growing plants for partners including Federal and state agencies where project goals seek to enhance anadromous fish habitat.  

This Contract funds two full-time staff, partially funds other staff as needed.  This contract will be funding O&M of the nursery operations including utilities, supplies, office support, and travel/transportation.  This contract shares some materials and support from the main Forrest Conservation Area O&M contract.

Core Components:
I.E. Greenhouse: 30'x72', plastic covering, with electricity and propane source for winter growing. Gravel floor with foundation; currently the greenhouse could propagate about 20,000 small plug-style plants, but with larger containers and other styles of planting this facility will likely have an operational capacity of no more than 15,000 plants.

One 20'x48' coldframe for plant storage in winter.

Outdoor nursery: Currently growing out 588 natives plants across 1.79 acres. Given the reduction in plant size from some harvest and transfers, 2012 cutting supply from the nursery is about 8,200 cuttings.  Potential harvest for this nursery is 1045 plants with a cutting capacity of 13,000 per year.  Current irrigation is mostly drip with some overhead units.  Watering various zones is performed manually, but a new system is planned for the future.  Currently 30 different species, 10 different sedges, and 6 forb varieties.  Potential exists for use of tree spade to harvest whole plants from the outdoor nursery in the future.

2012 capacities:
Projected annual output of seedlings for WST projects:12,000

Projected annual output of seedlings for other entities: 4,000

Cutting capacity: 8,200

As much of the greenhouse is stocked and planted in January through March, this contract will expend supplies for 2013 growing operations.

Plants produced under this contract may be planted at conservation project sites throughout the John Day River basin on projects that seek to enhance, protect, and/or benefit anadromous fish populations.  Nursery staff may also offer education and outreach to the local communities to further promote better riparian zone vegetative conditions in the basin.