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THE MOUNTAIN PINE BEETLE AND FOREST MANAGEMENT
Media Contact:
Jenn deBerge, (970) 726-1573
Introduces Vegetation Management Plan
Awarded Grant to Mitigate Pine Beetle
Winter Park Resort, Colo., Summer 2009 – Winter Park Resort, like many locations in western Colorado, has felt the distressing effects of the mountain pine beetle. Since 2004, the resort has seen a significant amount of lodgepole pine mortality throughout several hundred acres of tree islands. In response, Winter Park Resort has implemented a Vegetation Management Plan with the assistance of the United States Forest Service and partially funded by a Colorado State University grant.
About Winter Park Resort's Forest
While the resort's forest is comprised of a variety of tree species, including Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir, our lower elevation tree islands are dominated by the lodgepole pine. These islands are very important for our recreational resource and we are working hard to protect them. Healthy tree islands are visually appealing, help delineate ski runs, and protect ski trails from the effects of wind scour. In addition, healthy trees are important for other resources such as wildlife and water quality.
The ecology of lodgepole pine stands depends on disturbance. Landscapes such as those seen in Colorado have been shaped by fire. Historically, fire was a disturbing mechanism which removed over-mature, diseased, and distressed forests. Over the past few decades as our lodgepole pine stands have matured, fire and logging have had limited impact on the overall timber stands in the area and these pine stands have becane susceptible to a large mountain pine beetle infestation.
About the Mountain Pine Beetle
The mountain pine beetle is native to the forests of western North America. At endemic levels, beetles survive in stressed or weakened trees. When favorable conditions exist, populations can quickly increase to epidemic proportions and healthy pines are attacked and killed. Adult beetles attack lodgepole pine in July or August, introducing blue stain fungi. The beetles construct egg galleries in the phloem where larvae feed and together with the fungi, girdle and kill the tree. Larvae winter in the tree, complete development, and emerge as adult beetles in the spring.
About our Vegetation Management Plan
Approximately 1,000 acres within the ski area boundary are lodgepole pine stands. Since 2004, Winter Park Resort has worked closely with the United States Forest Service to proactively manage these tree islands through the implementation of a Vegetation Management Plan. The objectives of this plan include:
• Establish replacement stands on sites where mature lodgepole pine is the dominant species
• Diversify the size and age-class of these tree islands
• Reduce safety hazards to skiers and riders by removing dead, woody material
• Maintain healthy, stable riparian zones and wetlands
• Reduce wildfire hazard and risk
• Maintain a scenic quality from critical viewpoints and travel routes
In implementing our Vegetation Management Plan, several forest management techniques have been used to manage the lodgepole tree islands during the past five years. These methods have included thinning, spraying high value trees, individual tree removal, and most recently, the implementation of large regeneration harvests.
Regeneration harvests involve the removal of all dead, dying, and susceptible lodgepole pine trees within a specific area, and protecting the existing regeneration and mature spruce / fir trees. Last year, Winter Park Resort implemented approximately 70 acres of regeneration harvests within the Cooper Creek and Vasquez Ridge areas of the resort. This summer, the resort will continue to implement regeneration harvests throughout the impacted tree islands with the assistance of the Colorado Community Forest Restoration Grant Program. The resort, with the cooperation of the Denver Water Board, Town of Winter Park, and Grand County Water and Sanitation District No. 1, received a $70,000 grant from the State of Colorado to support continued implementation of harvests this summer.
The Forest's Future
Proactive management of our forests is crucial for maintaining and improving the landscape for resources such as wildlife and recreation, which depend on healthy forests. Although the short term visual impact of tree harvesting is apparent, the removal of thousands of red and dying lodgepole pine trees will promote the establishment and growth of natural lodgepole pine regeneration. Over time, this regeneration will thrive and quickly mature. The next diverse generation of tree islands will continue to provide an important vegetation component to our recreation and natural resources.
For all media inquiries, including digital images and b-roll film, contact Jennifer deBerge at (970) 726-1573.
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About Winter Park Resort
Home to over 600 miles of cross-country mountain bike terrain, 30 miles of chairlift accessible mountain biking trails, Colorado’s longest Alpine Slide, an entire village and base area of family-friendly activities, and the summer’s most anticipated event – Crankworx Colorado, Winter Park Resort’s location provides a place for adventure, fun and culture for the young and young at heart. For more information on Winter Park Resort, visit www.winterparkresort.com.
About Intrawest
Intrawest is a world leader in experiential destination resorts. The company has interests in eleven resorts at North America’s most popular mountain destinations including Whistler Blackcomb, a host venue for the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Intrawest network also includes Canadian Mountain Holiday- the largest heli-skiing operation in the world; Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Florida; and Club Intrawest—a private resort club with nine locations throughout North America. In addition, Intrawest develops real estate at its resorts and at other locations across North America and in Europe. Intrawest is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.intrawest.com
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