The Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee Whitebark Pine Subcommittee: Overview and Ideas for the Crown of the Continent

Transcription

1 The Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee Whitebark Pine Subcommittee: Overview and Ideas for the Crown of the Continent

2 Today s Topics Describe the structure and function of the GYCC and it s whitebark pine subcommittee Discuss boundary-less working behavior of GYCC/Subcommittees Lessons learned on GYCC and subcommittee behavior Capstone Project: Whitebark Pine Strategy for the Greater Yellowstone Area (May, 2011) and associated Adaptive Action Plan (July, 2015) Discuss strategy development and products

3 Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC) Mission: Provide for collaborative framework for providing public services and responsible land management in a cooperative and coordinated manner, as the GYCC, to the extent permissible by law and agency-specific missions throughout the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA). History Formed in 1964 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) MOU Revised 2002 Adds U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) MOU Revised 2012 Adds U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM)

4 Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC) Members Executive Coordinator Chair Forest Supervisors Five National Forests across three administrative regions (USFS Regions 1, 2, 3 NF) Custer Gallatin Beaverhead-Deerlodge Caribou-Targhee Bridger-Teton Shoshone Park Superintendents - Two National Parks (NPS) Yellowstone (includes the Greater Yellowstone Network (GRYN) Grand Teton Refuge Managers - Two National Wildlife Refuges (USFWS-NWR) Red Rock Lakes National Elk Refuge Managers Three State BLM Offices (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)

5 Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC) Roles: Provide leadership that serves the public and sustains the resources of the GYA Ensure coordination of planning, monitoring, and practices across NPS, USFS, USFWS, and BLM lands where it makes sense Set GYA Level priorities and assign resources to achieve objectives Provide a forum for interaction with other Federal, State, local agencies, private organizations, and the public. Create a climate that encourages coordination and sharing within the federal units and with partners. Identify and provide for resolution of on-going and emerging issues, applying coordinated strategic thinking. Minimize duplication of effort, seek opportunities to share information, resources and data. Make rules, regulations, processes, and public information consistent across the GYA where it is consistent with agency-specific laws and missions.

6 Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC) Priorities: Protect the Integrity of GYA Landscapes Connect People to the Land Ecosystem Health Air and Water Quality Invasive Species Management Species on the Brink Climate Change Sustainable Operations

7 Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC) GYCC Subcommittees Aquatic Invasive Species Cooperative Clean Air Partnership Climate Change Adaptation Fire Management Team Fisheries Team Hydrologist Team Sustainable Operations Terrestrial Invasive Species Whitebark Pine Wildlife

8 Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC) Whitebark Pine Subcommittee Mission (est. 2001): Create a collaboration of land managers, scientists, and other whitebark pine experts that leads to the long-term viability and function of whitebark pine ecosystems in the Greater Yellowstone Area. Structure One representative (minimum) from each agency Chair/Co-Chair Three-Year Term Co-Chair replaces chair for continuity Executive Liaison Meet once/year minimum Spring Business Meeting (Teleconference) Fall Science/Business Meeting Utilize working groups as needed Cooperate with NGOs and universities Montana State University Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation

9 Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC) Whitebark Pine Subcommittee (Cont) General History/Project Development Established Charter Developed base whitebark pine base map 2004-Present Involved in range-wide tree improvement program (blister rust resistance) 2010-Present Development of Seed Orchard Draft restoration guidelines 2004-Present Establishment/Re-measurement of WPBR monitoring plots (WPEF protocols/gryn) 2006-Present Beetle protection measures in earnest Developed Whitebark Strategy for GYA Updating base map/metadata Stand Level Condition Assessment Ecosystem Function Assessment Ranking System for High Priority Restoration/Protection Areas Tools for Implementation Three Year Action Plan Developed Adaptive Action Plan Tiers off strategy latest climate science/sub-prioritized treatment areas 2015-Present Developing Activity/Monitoring Database

10 Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC) Project Funding Role: Set GYA Level priorities and assign resources to achieve objectives Subcommittee Project Funding Base funding of ~$250,000 annually allocated to individual projects based on ranked proposals $215,000 USFS $35,000 NPS, BLM, USFWS Proportional to land allocation/management priorities with the GYA Project Funding Proposals Timing Federal Fiscal Years (FY): October 1- September 30 Call for Proposals April (FY prior) Submission Deadlines June (FY prior) Project Approval Summer (FY prior) Fund Disbursements October December of FY Project Implementation October September of FY Project Final Reports January (next FY)

11 Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee (GYCC) Project Funding (Cont) Project Evaluation: Based on GYCC priorities Additional prioritization: Tier 1 Subcommittees that have approved GYCC project strategies; eligible for $15,000 base funding Tier 2 Fulfill critical need Not funded in other ways Not eligible for base funding Project Review/Ranking Subcommittee Chairs no limit with prioritization and ranking based on outcomes Participating GYCC units limit 10 with no prioritization and ranking Partners submit proposals in cooperation with GYCC units Outcomes/Ranking System Ranking criteria established by subcommittees to evaluate projects.

12 USFS Region 1 Forest Health Protection Proposals Enhance/Restore WBP throughout range in U.S. Base funding of ~$100,000-$300,000 annually Criteria States, NGOs, universities, tribal, or federal agencies can apply Non-federal partners may need to meet costshare requirements Ranking Scope Products Likelihood of Success Technical Merit Cost Efficiency Level of Matching Funds Timing Call for Proposals: October Submission Deadlines: December Project Approval: February/March Fund Disbursements: March-April Implementation: April September Final Reports: by next call cycle Whitebark Pine Subcommittee Other Funding Sources

13 Whitebark Pine Subcommittee Other Funding Sources USFS National Reforestation Partnership Proposals National Agreements with NGOs National Forest Foundation Arbor Day Foundation American Forests National Garden Clubs Pant-A-Tree/Batesville Casket Provides funding for seedlings and/or planting contracts National Forest Health Protection Ecosystem Management Poposals National Gene Conservation Proposals American Forests Separate Agreement with WBP Subcommittee Climbing/Cone Caging supplies Verbenone (SPLAT and/or pouches) Cone collection services (contracts) Seeking additional funding for weeding/cleaning projects Congressionally appropriated funding from each agency

14 Subcommittee Project Implementation Working Across Agency Boundaries Funding Transfer Tools Memorandums of Understanding establish agency commitment and operating parameters between four federal agencies. Interagency Transfers movement of money between Department of Agriculture (USFS ) and Department of Interior (NPS, USFWS, BLM) or vice versa. Between National Forests use of override/shorthand codes between forests. All this moves money to the agency(ies) that need(s) it to implement strategy projects. All activities coordinated to minimize overlap and maximize ground coverage.

15 Subcommittee Project Implementation Working Across Agency Boundaries Results: Efficient On-the-Ground Management Force Account Climbers (Grand Teton NP, Bridger-Teton NF, coming soon to Shoshone NF) Contract Implementation (USFS Regions 1, 2, and 4 Acquisitions Management Offices (AQM)): Solicit multi-agency, multi-region cone collection and planting contracts or blanket purchase agreements (BPA). Funding moved to agency that houses contracts/bpas. Use of override/job codes budgets between National Forests needing cone collection or planting services. Minimized administration! Sweat Equity: All agencies provide expertise, labor, and supplies to manage their individual whitebark programs in conjunction with overall strategy Gallatin NF provides employees to manage the seed orchard; all National Forests help fund the seed orchard via a MOU.

16 Subcommittee Project Implementation Working Across Agency Boundaries Lessons Learned GYCC Federal agencies only CMP has more layers of agencies Subcommittee members perform this work on top of their regular jobs Need to focus outward and find additional funding sources for implementation (NGOs); limited internal funding sources. Focus on one or two items at a time and progress slowly but surely. High cost/logistics to whitebark pine management

17 Questions???????

18 WBP Strategy Strategic Goals Ensure natural regeneration and genetic diversity through protection of conebearing whitebark pine. Maintain and restore the role of whitebark in ecosystem function. Augment natural regeneration through strategic planting. Promote population resilience through genetic conservation and planting of rust resistant seedlings. Promote fire planning and use that protects high value whitebark pine and provides for long-term restoration. Work collaboratively across administrative boundaries to implement the strategy for the GYA. In cooperation with FS Region 1-4 Geneticist, Greater Yellowstone Network (GRYN), and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs)

19 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Updated Range Map/Metadata Original 2001 Map Poor! No metadata No crosswalk between agencies Mis-used! Metadata wasn t described Differences among agencies were too wide Map Revision New and Improved! Identified characteristics to map Defined metadata for each mapping criteria Cohesive metadata Melded 2 NP s and 6 NF s (among 3 Regions) into a cohesive map with one set of metadata

20 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Stand Level Condition Assessment Ranking System for both Protection and Restoration 1 = low 5 = high

21 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Ecosystem Function Assessment (high elevation dominant) Grizzly Bear Habitat Land Status Access Plus Trees/110-Seed Source Locations 1=low, 5=high Or addition of overlays

22 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Identification of High Priority Restoration and Protection Areas

23 High Priority Restoration Areas

24 High Priority Protection Areas

25 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Quantified amounts of management activities to accomplishment in a three-year time period.

26 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Adaptive Management Strategy Adjusting Three Year Action Plan every year, with ground truthing. Climate Change: Montana State University (MSU): researchers investigating potential effects of a future warmer climate. Managers and MSU researchers will together evaluate modifying the Strategy to consider climate change.

27 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Identification of Implementation Tools or Protection or Restoration Protection Tree Protection (individual tree, stand or landscape) Verbenone (Pouches/Flakes/SPLAT) Carbaryl Spraying Pruning Preventative Sanitation Fire Proofing Preventing Loss of High Value Cone Bearing WBP from Wildland, Prescribed, or Prescribed Natural Fire Long-term blister rust monitoring program (with Yellowstone Monitoring Network)

28 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Identification of Implementation Tools or Protection or Restoration Restoration Tree Improvement/Seed Orchard Identification, selection, cone collection, and testing of superior trees within GYGT seed zone Protection of superior trees from bark beetle attack. Cone, pollen, scion, aeciospore, and other tree part collections. Seed orchard establishment on the Gallatin NF 1 st grafted out plantings in 2012 and 2013 Performance test and in-situ clone bank

29 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Identification of Implementation Tools or Protection or Restoration Cone Collection and Planting Restoration Operational and Plus tree cone collections genetically diverse areas and 110 seed source study areas (known high resistance). Pre-planting and stocking survyes in burns/beetle hit areas Restoration Planting

30 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Identification of Implementation Tools or Protection or Restoration

31 Whitebark Pine Management = Glorified Cage Management!

32 Whitebark Pine Strategy Framework Identification of Implementation Tools or Protection or Restoration Restoration Managing Wildland, Prescribed, Prescribed Natural Fire Mixed Species Stands Limited Access Moderate-High Rust Infection/Mortality Avoid Current MPB Activity Low Intensity kill SAF/competing vegetation Protect seed sources from fire areas. Creation of Nutcracker Openings Natural Regeneration Thinning

33 Questions???????