Industry and Natural Area Manager Partnerships for Plant Community Restoration

Transcription

1 Industry and Natural Area Manager Partnerships for Plant Community Restoration Jeff Nelson 1, Ernest S. Flynn 2, Byron Sleugh 1, and Robert Masters 1 ; 1 Dow AgroSciences, Indianapolis, IN 2 Dow AgroSciences, Ankeny, IA 1

2 Agenda - A history of R&P product differentiation to meet existing, changing, and future customer needs New customers, with unique challenges & expectations in managing vegetation Development & collective success of partnerships Future opportunities & collaborations 2

3 R&P Product Portfolio & Market Needs s 1970 s 1980 s Today Products ,4-D Tordon 22K Grazon P+D Spike 20P Spike 80DF Redeem R&P PastureGard Surmount Remedy Milestone ForeFront R&P Reclaim GrazonNext Remedy Ultra Chaparral PasturAll 2,4-D Picloram Picloram + 2,4-D Tebuthiuron, Triclopyr Aminopyralid & Mixtures Clopyralid Fluroxypyr Active Ingredients

4 Formulation & Application Then & Now 1947 (Then) Today Cut Surface Foliar Low Vol. Basal 4

5 Customers Then A 70 yr history in vegetation management New customers with unique vegetation management strategies & expectations Customers Now 5

6 Partnerships & Collaboration Keys to Success Example Aminopyralid & Forb Tolerance Canada Thistle Infestation The obstacles & the end in mind 6

7 Partnerships & Collaboration Keys to Success Aminopyralid & Forb Tolerance 2005 to 2012 Academia Dow AgroSciences Natural Res. Manager Scientific Reach Technology Validation Expertise, Technology Transfer, & Superior Tools Application, Validation & Endorsement North Dakota State Univ. Colorado State Univ. University of Montana University of Minnesota South Dakota State Univ. 7

8 >90 Forb species Collaboration & Partnerships Key Outcomes 1. Technology Validation Efficacy & Scope 2. Technology Transfer & Outreach 3. Technology Infused into Practice 8

9 2016 Partnerships: Example National Fish & Wildlife Foundation The Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund focuses on three priority conservation needs to restore the monarch butterfly to a more robust and healthy population: 1. Habitat restoration to plant native milkweed for caterpillars and nectar plants for adults in both large, contiguous areas as well as in smaller patches, especially in edge habitat along the butterfly's migration route. 2. Increasing organizational capacity and coordination among organizations, states, and regions engaged in monarch conservation and monitoring, science coordination, milkweed seed blend production and distribution, and monarch programming to ensure efficiency and the use and sharing of best practices. 3. Native seed production and distribution to increase production and availability of seeds and plants essential to habitat restoration 9

10 Current Partnership The Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund focuses on three priority conservation needs to restore the monarch butterfly to a more robust and healthy population: Project Description Monarch butterfly habitat across the state of Kansas will be restored/enhanced by this project via private landowner conservation plans that address threats such as invasive species, in-proper grazing management and lack of prescribed fire. Project Abstract The primary objective of this project is to increase approximately 12,000 acres of habitat for the Monarch butterfly by restoring and enhancing native mixed-grass and tallgrass ecosystem functions, improve rangeland health on private working lands through invasive species control, proper grazing management, prescribed fire, native grassland and forb planting, and other beneficial rangeland management practices. 10

11 The Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund Proposal Aminopyralid & Invasive Species Management Species such as sericea lespedeza, musk thistle, old world bluestem, eastern red cedar, honey locust and rough-leafed dogwood outcompete native grasses and forbs, leading to undesirable plant community dynamics. At the same time, these invasive species reduce the forage yield for cattle production, threatening the livelihood of rural families. Dow AgroSciences plans to provide products to target the undesirable invasive species while their staff and the USFWS Kansas Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program will provide the expertise to plan for the restoration and enhancement of native grasses and forbs that can support the recovery of Monarch butterflies. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund 2015, Full Proposal (Easy GrantsID: 50578) 11

12 Summary Collaborations & industry partnerships are key ingredients for sustained success in habitat restoration > Many of these opportunities to restore, rebuild, or repair habitats are complex, each with unique challenges Each of us (Natural Resource Managers, Academia, Industry, etc.) have a role to play Our voice (expertise), our science, and our technology are being heard & practiced in habitat restoration efforts 12

13 Go Forward (Group Discussion) We need your engagement & involvement to identify the next generation of opportunities with respect to habitat restoration Consider > Our tools (expertise, products, technology) as part of the conversation when developing a habitat restoration strategy > Leveraging the strength in collaborations & partnerships don t go it alone > Utilizing technology, application, and methodologies that have been validated no need to reinvent the wheel 13