Planting Native Grass on Big Red Mountain

KS Wild, the Applegate Neighborhood Network (ANN), and the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest partnered to host a native grass planting stewardship event up on the Siskiyou Crest at Big Red Mountain. With help from KS Wild and ANN volunteers, we planted a total of 2450 grass plugs, reclaiming the area to its native bunch grass ecosystem. Big Red Mountain is a botanical area that is being damaged by unauthorized off-highway vehicle use. 

The day was spent digging small holes in the old road bed and planting Romer’s Fescue, dismantling an illegal fire ring and concealing an illegal user created road. The views from high on the Siskiyou crest were inspiring and solidified the importance of the restoration work being done in the area.

This place is worth checking out! And, you definitely do not need a car to explore the area. Park your car at Wrangle Gap and hike 10 minutes up to the top of Big Red Mountain botanical area where you can enjoy the biological diversity and views from atop the Siskiyou Crest. Don’t forget your plant identification book in the spring!