Augmenting Tree Species in North Dakota: Evaluating a 'Natural Experiment'

Abstract

A limited number of woody species are approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service for conservation plantings. Unapproved tree and shrub species are sometimes planted if privately funded. This study located such plantings and inventoried them. Thirty-one (31) unapproved species were inventoried on 185 sites in 27 North Dakota counties. Landowner care seemed to play a large role in success (high survival) of such plantings. Sites that were routinely maintained tended to have a higher survival than those without. Study results were shared with local Soil Conservation District personnel. Two surveys were sent out to final presentation audience members. These surveys were used to determine to evaluate how the results from this study affect planting planning strategies. Only 8 out of 27 participants the completed survey one fully completed the second survey. Five of those eight participants (63%) said that they have changed the way they plan conservation plantings.