Revegetation

Invasive plant species such as salt cedar aggressively take over disturbed areas along the Colorado River. Native trees such as cottonwood, willow, and mesquite have trouble competing with this invasive species. The staff at Havasu National Wildlife Refuge works to remove Salt cedar and other invasive plants and revegetate the refuge with native species.

The refuge established a nursery for the purpose of harvesting cottonwood and willow cuttings. The nursery trees are harvested annually by pruning limbs. The limbs are cut into one foot long poles and planted vertically in the ground. After a few weeks, the poles grow roots and sprout leaves. In a few months, the poles will have grown into small trees. Over the following years, these new trees will provide food, shelter, and nesting habitat for native wildlife.

With the help of local elementary school students, the refuge also revegetates sites with mesquite trees. Mesquite trees do not reproduce well by poles so they are raised from seed. Two local schools, Diamondback Elementary School in Bullhead City, Arizona and Topock Elementary School in Topock, Arizona raise the trees over the school year in their greenhouses. In late spring, the students plant their trees on the refuge. Please see our Little Greenhouse Project page to learn more about this phenomenal educational program.