Biologist honored by mule deer group

A U.S. Forest Service wildlife biologist, who worked on the the 3,000-acre Jacks Valley Wildlife Management Area located in northern Douglas County was recently recognized by the Mule Deer Foundation for her work improving deer habitat.

Maureen Easton, of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest's Carson Ranger District, was one of two employees recognized for her work toward the conservation of mule deer at the foundation's annual convention as part of the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo on Feb. 13, in Salt Lake City.

"With the loss of critical mule deer winter range from wildfires, urban development, and other disturbances, Maureen's ongoing efforts to maintain the existing population has been outstanding," said Rene Mabe, Acting Carson District Ranger.

Easton said that she was both honored and surprised to receive this award, and will continue to work to improve habitat for mule deer along the Carson Front.

The Jacks Valley project provides an example of how Easton has worked with other specialists to design projects to reduce fuels and potentially improve wildlife habitat conditions.

"We removed and mowed brush on about 400 acres to encourage re-sprouting of overgrown and crowded bitterbrush and sagebrush," said Easton. Native grasses were seeded following the brush treatments to reduce potential cheatgrass invasion.

During the last few years, several burned areas have been replanted that are considered critical winter habitat for mule deer, including Robb fire (3,000 acres on Peavine Mountain in Reno); Voltaire Canyon and Highway 50 fires (south and west of Carson City); and, Waterfall Fire (around 1,000 acres west of Carson City).

In most burned areas, bitterbrush and sagebrush seedlings were planted from the forest service's Lucky Peak Nursery in Idaho. Nevada Department of Wildlife and local Mule Deer Foundation volunteers have planted bitterbrush seed throughout much of the Waterfall fire. About 100 acres in the Hawken fire will be re-planted this spring with mountain mahogany seedlings, to replace a burned stand of mahogany.

The Mule Deer Foundation has previously awarded seven such honors. The other employee was Kathleen Johnson, a wildlife biologist on the forest's Ely Ranger District.