Regional Ecosystem Management Initiatives
Reports
Central Shortgrass Prairie Species at Risk Conservation Innovation and Implementation Project - Shortgrass Prairie Partnership Final Report, April 2009 (Legacy 08-214) (PDF)
This document summarizes the Shortgrass Prairie Partnership's (SPP) findings and conclusions on Species at Risk (SAR) and their habitats occurring on Department of Defense (DoD) lands in the Central Shortgrass Prairie (CSP) ecoregion. It further recommends the use of landscape-scale cooperative conservation tools and conservation program’s focused on these species.
Ten Year Resurvey of Biodiversity of Marine Communities and Introduced Species in Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Harbor, and Keehi Lagoon, Oahu, Hawaii (Legacy 07-343) (PDF)
The marine and estuarine algae, invertebrate, and fish communities in Pearl Harbor, Honolulu Harbor and Keehi Lagoon Oahu, Hawaii were surveyed between October 2007 and April 2008 for a comparison of the biotic communities with results determined by previous surveys in Pearl Harbor in 1996 and Honolulu Harbor-Keehi Lagoon in 1997. Both the 1996 Pearl Harbor study and the present study were conducted under the auspices and funding provided by the Department of Defense (DoD) Legacy Resource Management Program, which provides financial assistance to DoD efforts to preserve our natural and cultural heritage.
Central Shortgrass Prairie Ecoregional Partnership Implementation - Final Report, December 2007 (Legacy 06-214) (PDF)
The Central Shortgrass Prairie Ecoregional Partnership Implementation Project was designed to help the Partnership move from an ecoregional assessment/analysis phase to conservation implementation and begin establishing on-the-ground conservation results that will help meet the missions and objectives of all the Shortgrass Prairie Partnership members, including the DoD.
Shortgrass Prairie Partnership Strategic Plan - October 2007 (Legacy 06-214) (PDF)
The Central Shortgrass Prairie (CSP) ecoregion lies in the western portion of the Great Plains of North America, along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains. The ecoregional assessment provides the public -- scientists, agency personnel, land owners, land managers, policy makers, etc. - with an understanding of what must be maintained and conserved if the representative natural diversity of the ecoregion (species, natural communities and ecosystems) is to survive in the future - including how much of each species (number of individuals or populations) and habitat (acres) is needed to be conserved as well as where the most efficient and effective places are to focus limited resources to achieve those goals. This strategic plan represents the Shortgrass Prairie Partnership's understanding of the best way forward to achieve their very ambitious goals.
Actions to Abate Critical Threats, such as Encroachment and Invasive Species, Using GIS and Conservation Area Planning Across the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership (GCPEP) Landscape Annual Report (Legacy 05-280) (PDF)
December 2006. This report details the goals and accomplishments during Phase I of this two-year project, which focuses on the initial development of this GIS database and incorporating this database into an updated GCPEP Conservation Area Plan in FL, which includes Eglin AFB. Appendices include invasive species information, a variety of resource maps and project site information.
Grand Bay-Banks Lake Stewardship Partnership - Phase II (Legacy 05-158) (PDF)
November 2006. The Grand Bay-Banks Lake ecosystem is a major part of an expansive palustrine wetland complex (over 18,000 acres) in south-central Georgia in Lanier and Lowndes Counties near Valdosta. The wetland is co-owned by Moody Air Force Base (AFB); Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Grand Bay Wildlife Management. This project involved the development of preliminary hydrological and fire management plans for the area as well as a monitoring plan to track the impacts of management action or inaction on the rare species and natural communities found at GBBL. Other components of this project include mapping of current and historic vegetation at the site, and a description of the presettlement fire regime and vegetation of the GBBL area.
Grand Bay - Banks Lake Ecosystem Site Conservation Plan (PDF)
Invasive Non-Native Plants That Threaten Wildlands in Arizona, August 2005 (Legacy 04-1703) (PDF)
This document contains information that identifies and distinguishes those non-native plants that can invade an area and cause adverse ecological impacts from those non-native plants that, at least based on current knowledge, are relatively innocuous.
Conservation Plan for Grassland Species in Colorado - Final Report, November 2003 (Legacy 04-214) (PDF)
San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area Water Needs Study Draft Final Report (Legacy 03-198) (PDF)
Management Plan Ecoregional Conservation for the Ouachita Ecoregion Arkansas and Oklahoma (Legacy 03-179) (PDF)
This document consists of background information, habitat description, an assessment of ecological threats and stresses analysis with management prescriptions for habitat in the Ouachita Highlands of Arkansas and Oklahoma, which include Little Rock Air Force Base, Fort Chaffee, and Camp Robinson.
The Natural Communities and Ecological Condition of the Sonoran Desert National Monument and Adjacent Areas - Final Report, October 2003 (Legacy 03-1703) (PDF)
The purpose of this project was to describe, map and assess the ecological condition of the natural communities and the extent of exotic plant invasion in the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDNM) and adjacent areas. The study area consisted of the SDNM, a 1/4 mile buffer around the SDNM and adjacent portions of the US Air Force Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR) and Tohono O'odham Nation (TON).
Lessons Learned: Sonoran Desert Ecosystem Initiative - Final Report, October 2005 (Legacy 03-1703) (PDF)
Lessons are organized into three main categories: (1) partnerships, (2) results, and (3) public involvement. Within each category, lessons are described first in general terms and then provide examples from the Initiative.
Invasive Species Data Management Support Tools for Cooperative Weed Management Areas, Revised October 7, 2005 (Legacy 02-1703) (PDF)
The Nature Conservancy, with funding through the Department of Defense Legacy Resource Management Program, and the US Geological Survey (USGS) Southwest Exotic Plant Information Clearinghouse (SWEPIC) team, conducted a project from July 2002 to July 2005 to develop computer tools that will help members of cooperative weed management areas (CWMA) in the southwest better manage non-native, invasive plant information and share that data within and among other CWMA's. The project was conducted in collaboration with the Sonoran Desert Invasive Species Council (SDISC) and its two member CWMA's, the King of Arizona and Borderlands.
Multi-Site Management Plan for the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain - Final Report, June 2002 (Legacy 02-136) (PDF)
DoD's Multi-Site Management plan provides a lasting framework for the conservation and stewardship of biological diversity ecoregionally by working with DoD facilities and other Federal, state, and local partners, as well as corporate and private landowners and stakeholders. This plan identifies species and vegetation types of critical priority necessary to maintain biodiversity in the ecoregion and to identify specific actions, incorporate adaptive management for sustainable use, and protect or enhance viability of conservation sites within the ecoregion.
Cook Inlet Ecoregional Atlas - 2001 (Legacy 01-135) (PDF)
Cook Inlet Ecoregion Data Map Book - Final Report, 2001 (Legacy 01-135) (PDF)
The Five-S Framework for Site Conservation: A Practitioner's Handbook for Site Conservation Planning and Measuring Conservation Success - Final Report, Volume I, Second Edition, June 2000 (Legacy 01-102) (PDF)
This report sets forth a frame-work for site-based conservation, including strategic conservation planning and assessing measures of conservation success.
The Five-S Framework for Site Conservation: A Practitioner's Handbook for Site Conservation Planning and Measuring Conservation Success - Appendices to Final Report, Volume II, June 2000 (Legacy 01-102) (PDF)
This report sets forth a frame-work for site-based conservation, including strategic conservation planning and assessing measures of conservation success.
Great Basin Conservation Initiative: An Assessment of Conservation Opportunities on Department of Defense Installations in the Great Basin - Final Report, May 2005 (Legacy 01-102) (PDF)
The Great Basin ecoregion covers over 72 million acres across California, Nevada, and Utah. It includes military installations for Air Force, Army, and Navy services, including Camp Williams Military Reserve, Dugway Proving Ground; Naval Air Station Fallon; Hawthorne Army Depot; Hill Air Force Base; Nellis Air Force Range; and Tooele Army Depot. Developing and implementing strategies for biodiversity conservation are an integral part of responsible land stewardship.
Demonstration Project: Fire Regime Condition Class (FRCC) Mapping at Mount Grant, Hawthorne Army Depot - Final Report, May 2005 (Legacy 01-102) (PDF)
The Great Basin Conservation Initiative is a collaborative effort between DoD and The Nature Conservancy to address conservation planning, strategy development, and implementation on priority areas within the 72 million acre Great Basin ecoregion. In 2003, Hawthorne Army Depot, a 147,236 acres military installation located in the western Great Basin, developed conservation strategies for an identified conservation area in the southern Wassuk Range. In late 2003, Hawthorne Army Depot agreed to move forward with a demonstration project, funded by the DoD Legacy Program, which would map fire regime condition classes of Mount Grant's landscape to prioritize areas for hazardous fuels reduction.
Cook Inlet Basin Ecoregional Assessment - Final Report, August 2003 (Legacy 00-135) (PDF)
This project was to assess the ecoregion's biodiversity and identify areas of biological significance. The Cook Inlet Basin ecoregion is the first terrestrial ecoregion assessed by the Conservancy in Alaska.
Blowing Sand Mountains Initial Conservation Assessment and Strategies - Final Report, March 2004 (Legacy 00-102) (PDF)
The Nature Conservancy, Department of Defense - Naval Air Station Fallon, Bureau of Land Management - Carson City Field Office, Walker River Paiute Tribe and Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe embarked on a partnership to examine the ecology and land management of the area we have chosen to call Blowing Sand Mountains. This area encompasses what appears to be an ancient sand movement corridor that began on the shores of Walker Lake approximately 11,000 years before present and terminates in the dune field at Sand Mountain, southeast of Fallon, Nevada.
Mount Grant Initial Conservation Assessment and Strategies - Final Report, August 2003 (Legacy 00-102) (PDF)
The Great Basin Conservation Initiative is a collaborative effort by The Nature Conservancy and Department of Defense to address conservation planning, strategy development, and implementation on priority areas within the 72 million acre Great Basin ecoregion. Hawthorne Army Depot, a 147,236 acre military installation located in the western Great Basin, was selected to develop conservation strategies for an identified conservation area in the southern Wassuk Range.
Great Basin: An Ecoregion-based Conservation Blueprint - Final Report, May 2001 (Legacy 00-102) (PDF)
This blueprint for the Great Basin identifies 358 potential conservation areas that fully represent the ecological systems, natural communities, and species characteristic of the ecoregion. The portfolio sites complement one another by harboring different assemblages of conservation targets and simultaneously, providing for maximum efficiency by incorporating the least area possible. These sites will be the focus of conservation activities for the coming years, and if we succeed in protecting them, the long-term survival of viable, vulnerable plants, animals, and natural communities in the Great Basin will be ensured.
Department of Defense Ecosystem Management Policy Evaluation - Final Report, August 2002 (Legacy 00-125) (PDF)
The goal of this study is to provide insights into the level of ecosystem management implemented across the military Services. The objectives include performing a gap analysis of the individual military Services' conservation policy, regulations, and guidance to determine if they carry through the requirements set out by DoDI 4715.3; developing a protocol to evaluate ecosystem management implementation; and applying the protocol through case study.
Integrated Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership - Final Report, May 24, 2000 (Legacy 00-136) (PDF)
This report is intended as a summary of the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership (GCPEP) from May 1998-May 2000. We have directed our style to those with technical expertise in natural resources, forest, wildlife and fire management. This report contains chapters that focus on the completion of the conservation planning process and the implementation of projects. This report focuses on the conservation of biological diversity in the context of the GCPEP. The body of the report contains nine chapters that summarize the planning and project process to date and then offers lessons learned and conclusions.
Integrated Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership - Final Report, June 1999 (Legacy 99-1804) (PDF)
Mohave Desert Ecosystem Program - Report, 1996 (Legacy 96-159) (PDF)
Mojave Ecosystem Inventory and Data Bank Cooperative - Final Report, September 1996 (Legacy 96-159) (PDF)
Ecosystem Management Initiative Mohave Desert - Final Report, April 1994 (Legacy 94-778) (PDF)
The Ecosystem Approach: Vol. 1 (script-only)
The Ecosystem Approach: Vol. 2 (script-only)
The Ecosystem Approach: Vol. 3 (script-only)
Habitat Change Analysis Using Landsat TM (Legacy 02-161) (PDF)
Regional (multispectral) image data were used to map vegetation changes significant to North Carolina Sandhills Conservation Partnership (NCSCP)s wildlife management objectives. Hyperspectral image data were used in discriminating pine forest types and to enhance land cover information.
Site Conservation Plan for the North Carolina Sandhills (PDF)
Fact Sheets
Fact Sheet: Grand Bay-Banks Lake Stewardship Partnership - Phase II (Legacy 05-158) (PDF)
November 2006. Summarizes this project that involved the development of preliminary hydrological and fire management plans for the area as well as a monitoring plan to track the impacts of management action or inaction on the rare species and natural communities found at GBBL.
Publications
Designing a Geography of Hope: A Practitioner's Handbook to Ecoregional Conservation Planning - Vol. I, April 2000 (Legacy 02-136) (PDF)
The guidelines contained in this second edition of Geography of Hope provide methods for identifying the conservation sites where conservation action needs to be taken.
Designing a Geography of Hope: Practitioner's Handbook to Ecoregional Conservation Planning - Vol. I, April 2000 (Legacy 00-136) (PDF)
The guidelines contained in this second edition of provide methods for identifying the conservation sites where action needs to take place.
Research, Test, Development & Evaluation
Inventories
An Inventory of the Significant Natural Areas of Hoke County, North Carolina - September 2004 (PDF)
An Inventory of the Significant Natural Areas of Scotland County, North Carolina - May 2005 (PDF)
Tools
Multi-species Management Using Modeling and Decision Theory Applications to Integrated Natural Resources Management Planning (Legacy 05-264) (PDF)
This report aims to familiarize DoD natural resource managers with the potential of a decision theoretic approach using population models to address competing demands and consequent trade-offs in natural resources management and to provide recommendations as to how to go about it. Includes a very user friendly and useful appendix.
Stakeholder Analysis Exercise: A Quick Process for Identifying Stakeholders and Developing Community Outreach Strategies - Partners Edition, April 2000 (Legacy 02-136) (PDF)
The purpose of this exercise is to help your field staff to better understand the communities in which they work, and the roles of individuals and groups within those communities, so you can become a more effective force for community-based conservation. This exercise is a quick, lowtech procedure for identifying a community's key stakeholders and should result in an outreach strategy visavis these stakeholders that will assist you in achieving your local conservation goals.
Designing a Geography of Hope Update: Reflections of Current Thinking and Conversations - Update 6, Including Aquatic Targets in Ecoregional Portfolios for Ecoregional Planning (Legacy 02-136) (PDF)
This document provides general guidelines and options for ecoregional planning teams to incorporate aquatic species and community targets into their portfolios. Our goal is to provide sufficient information for ecoregional teams to understand their options, assess their resources, design and carry out a strategy to identify aquatic targets, and assemble a portfolio that conserves these targets.
Blowing Sand Mountains Excel Workbook 2000 (Legacy 01-102) (XLS)
Mount Grant Excel Workbook 2000 (Legacy 01-102) (XLS)
Pamphlets
Pamphlet: Conservation Resources for Prairie and Oak Woodland Landowners (The Nature Conservancy) (PDF)
This pamphlet briefly describes the threats and need for conservation for oak woodlands and prairie lands in the Pacific northwest, the assurances and funding opportunities open to landowners and the benefits of conservation to landowners. Also includes a useful contact list and beautiful images.
