Cooperative Strategy for Connecting Prairie Landscapes

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


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


GCPLCC – WE can SUPPORT collective Vision



Use Data & Develop Tools  Plan to Manage

manage through the PLAN


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.

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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

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GCPLCC – WE can SUPPORT collective Vision



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 [email protected]

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Cooperative Strategy for Connecting Prairie Landscapes