Managing natural resources, as viewed by GBK, encompasses the physical, biological, social, and economic aspects of natural resources providing for sustainable systems. Today, the conservation of limited natural resources is critical. GBK's interdisciplinary team of professionals innovate solutions to resolve issues related to natural resource restoration, management and conservation.

• Terrestrial Biology
• Endangered Species Assessment
• Habitat Conservation Planning
• Habitat Restoration
• Nuisance/Exotic Vegetation Removal
• Environmental Toxicology
• Natural Resource Economics

Reference Project:

Invasive Species Identification and Eradication

Fort Sill Ranges, OK

Following an initial survey whereby invasive salt cedar (tamarisk) was surveyed and identified on over 90,000 acres of rangeland at Fort Sill, GBK was tasked with performing an eradication action. Eradication efforts concentrated on Fort Sill's east range where the vast majority of growths (1000+) had been discovered and recorded with handheld GPS dataloggers. Team members qualified as certified pesticide applicators and service technicians in accordance with ODAFF requirements for commercial pesticide applicators. Field teams returned to the ranges where they treated the growths with a mix of 1% Habitat herbicide in water with a 0.5% surfactant using portable spray tanks with handheld pressure sprayers rigged to All-Terrain-Vehicles . Up to 150 gallons of herbicide mix were applied per day. Pesticide treatments were stored according to code on site and full records were kept. Treated salt cedars were GPS logged and marked with orange marking paint to prevent unnecessary retreatment. Eradication was performed in a number of lakes where salt cedar was found. Field teams were able to reach the growths using a small propeller boat to perform eradication. All salt cedar identified on the ranges during the initial survey were treated over a three month period.

 

Some milestones and deliverables included:

1. Team members qualified and registered as pesticide applicators;
2. Worked closely with BASF to develop effective application methodology;
3. Recorded all treated salt cedar with handheld GPS devices;
4. Produced a GIS layer showing population volumes and eradicated growths for integration with Ft. Sill’s systems;
5. Achieved 98%+ observed eradication rate 2 years after treatments applied.