The Nisqually Indian Tribe contracted ICF International to conduct wildlife surveys in Ohop Valley to track impacts on culturally important species (elk, deer, and beaver) and birds. Troy Rahmig (ICF International) shared the results of the monitoring.

1. Ohop Creek Restoration Phases I & II
Wildlife Surveys
Nisqually Indian Tribe Natural Resources Department
&
ICF International

3. Ohop Creek Restoration
• Remeander construction and replanting
of 1 mile of Lower Ohop Creek and
surrounding 100 acres – 2014
• Maintenance and replacement plantings
were completed – 2015
• Although designed to improve salmon
habitat, creek morphology, and
floodplain function, the project is
expected to benefit multiple species.

6. Species Information
• Nisqually Land Trust worked with Northwest Trek to conduct surveys multiple times per
year.
• Utilized teams of citizens scientists.
• Document all species observed during the field visit.
• Species diversity:
• Amphibians – 7 species
• Reptiles – 5 species
• Birds – 90 species
• Mammals – 32 species
• Invertebrates – 62 species
• Hunting/harvest records and general public knowledge.
• Not much else known about wildlife use in the area.

7. Ohop Creek Restoration Wildlife Surveys
• USFWS Tribal Wildlife Grant
• Although this is a salmon restoration project – what other wildlife
species are utilizing the site?
• Focus on culturally important species
• Elk
• Deer
• Beaver
• Added in bird surveys

8. Methods
• Motion-activated cameras
• Pedestrian Transects
• Focused pedestrian transects for beaver
• Timed area searches (birds only)
• Nest searches (birds only)

10. Motion-activated cameras
• Placed 9 cameras
• Ran cameras continuously
• Collected over 1,300 images of animals
Pedestrian Transects
• Timed walking transects
• Recorded all animal sign
• Primarily wintertime surveys
Focused pedestrian transects for beaver
Timed area searches (birds only)
Nest searches (birds only)

11. Results - Mammals
Transects
• Only animals seen on
transects were coyotes
• Other sign noted: scat,
tracks, tree damage
• Elk was by far the most
detected terrestrial
mammal species
• Surveys were influenced by
site conditions
Cameras
• Most consistent form of data
collection
• Variable animal use of the site
• Elk was by far the most
detected terrestrial mammal
species
• Camera detections were
influenced by site conditions

12. Number of Detections By Species
Camera Feral
Cat
Dog Coyote Deer Elk Bird Unknown Total Percent of
Total
1 - - 4 3 5 1 3 16 1
2 1 - 13 1 133 - - 148 11
3 - 1 45 9 204 46 13 318 23
4 - 2 26 7 235 10 37 317 23
5 - - 12 7 345 - 32 396 29
6 - - 1 7 59 - 10 77 6
7 1 - 14 - 3 - - 18 1
8 - - 1 3 42 - 6 52 4
9 - - 3 13 7 - 2 25 2
Total 2 3 119 50 1,033 57 103 1,367 -
Percent
of Total
<1 <1 9 4 76 4 8 -

15. Results - Beaver
• Increasing beaver activity on site
• Only 1 beaver ever seen by observer
• Never recorded beaver on camera
• All observations were of tree damage

16. Results - Birds
• 55 species detected during surveys
• Most common bird species
• Song Sparrow
• Marsh Wren
• Red-winged blackbird
• American Goldfinch
• Most common nesting species
• Song Sparrow
• Common Yellowthroat
• Cedar Waxwing

21. • Site provides very good elk habitat
• Use of the site by elk is likely more influenced by surrounding
land uses than the site itself
• Site supports and incredible diversity of animal species
• This study is just one glimpse in time – the entire Ohop Valley
could benefit from some longer term studies on wildlife use
• Longer term survey work would illustrate changes that will occur
as more of the valley is restored
Concluding Observations

23. Troy Rahmig
ICF International
troy.rahmig@icfi.com
206-801-2823
Questions?