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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Hammer and concrete block used as weapons in attack ... Emergency Services, Oct. 31 ... OR-7 goes off the radar ... Hammer and concrete block used as weapons in attack ... Emergency Services, Oct. 31 ... OR-7 goes off the radar ... ENVIRONMENT Top of Lower Table Rock will be set ablaze Feds are removing non-native grasses on lower mesa Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 21, 2015 at 2:27 PM Updated Oct 21, 2015 at 5:56 PM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 21, 2015 at 2:27 PM Updated Oct 21, 2015 at 5:56 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Burning to protect native plants starts on Lower Table Rock » Social News Federal land managers plan their first-ever intentional burn on the top of Lower Table Rock today to rid the mesa of non-native grasses encroaching on sensitive vernal pools that are home to a plant not seen anywhere else in the world. About 20 acres of vernal pools that house the unique dwarf wooly meadowfoam are threatened from encroaching medusahead rye, downy brome and other non-native grasses that are outcompeting native grass, according to the Bureau of Land Management, which manages the Table Rocks. The plan is to burn away the non-native grasses to give native plants a leg up on one of the Rogue Valley's signature formations and protect the vernal pools and rare dwarf wooly meadowfoam. The BLM plans to plant a collection of native grasses and wildflowers in the burned areas. "The strategy is to remove the non-natives and let the natives prosper," BLM spokesman Don Ferguson says. Crews will use drip-torches to touch off the controlled burn based on wind and weather conditions to ensure they keep the flames in check and reduce the impact of smoke, assuming conditions will be ripe for burning Thursday, Ferguson says. If so, it will be the first time BLM has used prescribed fire on top of either of the Table Rocks, though burning on lowlands around the rocks has been conducted, Ferguson says. "We want to let people know what we're doing because that's a huge view-shed," Ferguson says. "A lot of people will see it." Recent rains as well as cooler, damper weather should make burning conditions favorable, he says. "The fuels should be just right, but burning grass is a little bit tricky," Ferguson says. "It likes to shift with the wind." If conditions are not prime, the burning effort will be delayed, he says. BLM botanist Bridgette Cuffe says the grasses native to Lower Table Rock that will be planted include June grass, Lemmon's needlegrass, Sandberg's bluegrass and California oatgrass. The wildflower seeds in the mix will be those that naturally occur there, Cuffe says. The Lower Table Rock trail will be closed during the burning, Ferguson says. Hikers, however, are encouraged to hike nearby Upper Table Rock Thursday and view the activities from there, he says. Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 21, 2015 at 2:27 PM Updated Oct 21, 2015 at 5:56 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501