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by Bill Bartush
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Gulf Coast Prairie LCC Coordinator Bill Bartush December 7, 2012
Gulf Coast Prairie (GCP) Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC)
• Cooperatives (LCCs) are a continental effort to engage in collaborative Conservation;
• Taking on multi-‐state & international issues; • Focus on Landscapes; • Species & Habitats; • Change Indicators; • Prairie Wildlife TRULY a Canary in the Coal Mine!
“partnerships can enable a level of conservation that no single agency or organization can accomplish alone”
The Power of Partnerships
…to ensure that we accomplish the right things, in the right places, at the right times based on sound science, good
planning, monitoring of outcomes, and adaptive management
Outline – Prairies, LCCs, and Climate
• Background on LCCs • Why? How? Who? What? Where?
• The Gulf Coast Prairie LCC • The place, partners, and resources • Function and form – examples of value-‐added LCC
• Why are we here? • Issues – More People, Declining Resources, Climate Change • Climate, Weather, or People?? • Where Are We ? What can WE DO?
GCPLCC -‐ Purpose Today
• Celebrate Prairies – our rich Heritage • Bring Global Issues to our doorstep • Discuss CLIMATE or Weather • Discuss People – Urban Growth “demand more”
• Recognize Disturbance – Drought, Flood, Fire • Conservation -‐ with many more people • Adaptation – what can we do?
• Habitat System for North America • All Things PRAIRIES – Partner & Plan
Urbanization and Habitat Loss Pollution and Contaminants
We’re headed here 2040: 10 B
The Impetus for LCCs: Why “The conservation challenges of the 21st Century
represent a force of change more far-‐reaching and consequential than any previously encountered.”
We are here 2010: 6.7 B
Energy Development Changing Land use and
Agricultural Practices Invasive Species
Emerging Infectious Diseases Water Quality and Quantity Issues Global Climate Change
Mission of LCCs: Who and What • LCCs are self-‐directed, non-‐regulatory conservation partnerships comprised of private, state, and federal agencies and organizations that exist to define, design, and deliver landscapes capable of sustaining natural and cultural resources at desired levels nationwide, now and into the future.
• Seamless network – founded on Science
LCC Geographic Boundaries: Where GCPLCC: The Place
GCP LCC: The Partners
• The Partners* • State
• Louisiana DWF • Oklahoma DWC • Texas PWD • MS & KS
• Partnerships • Joint Ventures • Fish Habitat Partners
Federal US Fish and Wildlife Service US Geological Survey National Park Service Natural Resources Conservation Service Department of Commerce NOAA
Private & NGO American Bird Conservancy Ducks Unlimited The Nature Conservancy The Conservation Fund
GCPLCC – Setting Context
Let’s Bring Global Issues to our doorstep
Discuss CLIMATE or Weather
Is it just ME OR
Do we seem kinda dry?
• Increase in the magnitude and frequency of extreme events • More untimely freezes • Longer summers • More intense but less frequent rain events • Increase in the frequency of ice storms and blizzards • Fewer cold, hard winters
NOAA scipp.org
Expect More Extreme Weather
Texas Weather
Less Rain Dry Winters
Summer Rain
GCPLCC – Setting the Context
Let’s Bring Global Issues to our doorstep
Our Growing Population
Is it just ME OR
Do you feel crowded?
Head of Elm
St. Jo TX
1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
Conservation – In the News • Texas Fires 2011:
• Over 1 Million Acres Burned In Wildfires
• Drought: “rearing its ugly head” • Agriculture Loss of Over $7.62 billion
• Reservoirs LOW (many less 60% capacity) • Rice Farmers Disappointed
• LCRA decision to withhold water • Rice farming good for economy, good for waterfowl
• Fish Kill on Red River Still Under Investigation
Purple Finch:
Considered an … "irruptive species“ winters far south in some winters; as temperatures increased birds have not gone as far south overall North movement of over 433 miles in the last 40 yrs.
moving NORTH
Almost gone from Texas in 1940, prompting Research & Conservation actions. White-winged Dove
White-winged dove Texas history - Ups & Downs; Farming = over 12 million WW dove by 1923; By 1939, WW dove in TX dropped to less than 300,000; White-winged Dove Stamp 1971 to 2005 = $$ $$ Used to Purchase 12,000 ac Rio Grande Valley
Once restricted to far South Texas & Mexico, the White-winged dove now nests well north into the TX Panhandle, North TX & Oklahoma!
ADAPTATION Majority of nesting occurs within the cities; nesting white-winged doves seem to prefer older more established residential neighborhoods with live oak, pecan, and ash trees. Perhaps protection from predators, consistent food and water (lawns & bird feeders).
In contrast - Mourning dove are on long-term decline; Agricultural practices in southern plains have changed; Climate and other stressors may be factors in this change.
Black-capped Vireo
Restricted by Disturbance Can we Grow & Manage ??
Fire Frequency • More East • Less West
What will be the IMPACTS of
Dryer & Hotter Climate On Habitat?
GCPLCC – SO what do WE do?
Work together Private, State, Federal, & NGO
Partner and Collaborate use science – seek facts
Use Data & Develop Tools Plan to Manage
manage through the PLAN
Global, National, State, & Local!
GCPLCC – Adding Value to Conservation
Global, National, State, & Local!
use science – seek facts Use Data & Develop Tools
Temperature
Urbanization Projections
GCPLCC – Adding Value to Conservation
Work together Private, State, Federal, & NGO Partner and Collaborate
use science – seek facts Use Data & Develop Tools
Incorporate change into conservation planning #1 in adaptive management process
Stressors: Energy Development & Fragmentation Urban Growth Climate & Sea Level Rise
Global, National, State, & Local!
GCPLCC – WE can SUPPORT collective Vision
Work together Private, State, Federal, & NGO
Partner and Collaborate use science – seek facts
Use Data & Develop Tools Plan to Manage
manage through the PLAN
Global, National, State, & Local!
WHPRP.org Sponsored by:
WILDLIFE HABITAT POLICY RESEARCH PROGRAM
To develop, synthesize and disseminate information and tools that help
accelerate conservation of wildlife habitat in the United States.
38
Costs Benefits Effectiveness Efficiency Equity
How much land needs
and what will it cost?
What ecosystem
services from
conserved land ?
How much funding is
available across
sectors for habitat
conservation?
What are the
relative financial
efficiencies of
deeds, easements,
and stewardship
agreements?
What portion of
the conservation
bill is paid by
public vs. private
entities?
• Wildlife conservation must occur on a scale beyond single species or threatened species and focus on regional communities and habitats.
• Requires cross-jurisdictional approaches with multi-stakeholder engagement including: landowners, conservation, recreation, agriculture, forestry groups, and local/state/federal governments.
Landscape-scale conservation is imperative
40
GCPLCC – WE can SUPPORT collective Vision
Work together Private, State, Federal, & NGO
Partner and Collaborate use science – seek facts
Use Data & Develop Tools
Plan to Manage manage through the PLAN
Connectivity and Corridors Global, National, State, & Local!
SGCN/SERI, Habitats, and Landscape Priorities: Enhancing Conservation Delivery Duane German, TPWD Landscape Ecology Wendy Connally, TPWD Action Plan Coordinator+
Gulf Coast Prairies & Marshes
South Texas Plains
Edwards Plateau
Cross Timbers Texas Blackland
Prairies
Overlap State Wildlife Action
Plans, SEAFWA, GCPLCC, JV,
International Priorities
• Texas • Oklahoma • Louisiana • Mexico
Issues species selec@on
habitat classifica@on priority seCng
available technology resource alloca@on coordina@on capacity
SGCN – Focal Species – Surrogates Habitats, Systems, and Landscapes
* Priorities *
Bill Bartush Gulf Coast Prairie LCC Coordinator National Wetland Research Center Lafayette, LA (337) 266-‐8816 bill_bartush@fws.gov
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