PowerPoint Presentation

BLMs Landscape Approach

BLMs Landscape ApproachConservation Planning in NevadaJanuary 14, 2013

John M WilsonHealthy Landscapes Program Lead, BLM Nevada BLMBLM

1BLMBLMs Landscape ApproachMonitoring for Adaptive Mgmt. Ecoregional DirectionField ImplementationRapid Ecoregional AssessmentsScienceIntegration(CSCs & LCCs)BLMs Landscape ApproachRapid Ecoregional Assessments are the first step BLM

The BLMs proposed landscape approach consists of five interconnected components that provide a framework for integrating science and management. 1) Rapid Ecoregional Assessments (REAs).In a relatively short time frame, REAs synthesize and assess the best available information about resource conditions and trends within an ecoregion.REAs map areas of high ecological value, gauge their sensitivity and resilience to environmental change, and establish landscape-scale baseline ecological data to gauge the effect and effectiveness of future management actions.2) Ecoregional Direction.Ecoregional direction will use the results of the REAs, with input from BLM staff, partner agencies, stakeholders, and tribes, to identify potential focal areas on public lands for resource conservation, restoration, and development, including potential energy development zones. Ecoregional direction will also address opportunities to increase habitat connectivity and resiliency, direct monitoring and research, and enhance cross-jurisdictional coordination.3) Field Implementation.Field implementation puts the management strategies identified in ecoregional direction into practice on-the-ground.4) Monitoring for Adaptive Management.The BLMs Assessment, Inventory, and Monitoring (AIM) Strategy, distributed last May for internal review, will standardize data collection across the BLM and provide for consistent, high-quality, quantitative data essential for informed decision-making and adaptive management.5) Science Integration. The landscape approach more closely links science with resource management. Science in this context includes synthesizing existing research, assessing and modeling existing information, and identifying new research priorities.

5BLMNevadas Landscape ApproachReport will be developed stemming from the REA and potentially other pertinent landscape assessmentsThe Great Basin Landscape Conservation Cooperative will put together a committee to develop report (Contact Todd Hopkins to get involved)Will be prepared in coordination with state, Indian, federal and non-governmental partners

Development ofEcoregional Direction (ED)(Immediate Next Step is Challenges and Opportunities Report)BLM

Ecoregional direction will use the results of the REAs, with input from BLM staff, partner agencies, stakeholders, and tribes, to identify potential focal areas on public lands for resource conservation, restoration, and development, including potential energy development zones. Ecoregional direction will also address opportunities to increase habitat connectivity and resiliency, direct monitoring and research, and enhance cross-jurisdictional coordination.

8BLMNevadas Landscape ApproachCentral Basin and Range REA Completed 2012Northern Basin and Range REA underwayREAs synthesize and assess best current informationMapped areas of high ecological value Established landscape-scale baseline ecological data REAs are limited in scope Level III ecoregionBroad veg classificationsNot NEPA or decision documentBaseline data useful for BLM managers and partners in developing LUPs or regional planning/mitigation strategies)Focused upon conservation elements (CEs) and major types of change agents that can affect those CEs.What is a REA?BLM

6BLMCentral Basin and Range Rapid Ecoregional AssessmentRapid Ecoregional Assessments10 REAs initiated to date

Colorado Plateau & Sonoran completed in July 2012

Central Basin and Range and Mojave Basin Range completed September 2012

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15BLMNevadas Landscape ApproachThree Components of REAsConservation Elements + Change Agents = Management Questions

what we want to conservewhat is threatening our resourceswhat land managers need to know

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7BLMNevadas Landscape ApproachFacilitate resource management decisions Inform resource monitoring efforts in order to allow meaningful evaluation of management actionsIdentify tools that may be needed by resource managers to effectively utilize the REAIdentify strategic approaches to leveraging individual key assets (land, resources, people, and dollars)Will identify additional actions for the short-term

Development ofEcoregional Direction (ED)(Goals of the Challenges and Opportunities Report)BLM

Ecoregional direction will use the results of the REAs, with input from BLM staff, partner agencies, stakeholders, and tribes, to identify potential focal areas on public lands for resource conservation, restoration, and development, including potential energy development zones. Ecoregional direction will also address opportunities to increase habitat connectivity and resiliency, direct monitoring and research, and enhance cross-jurisdictional coordination.

9BLMNevadas Landscape ApproachRecommendations for strategic implementation of conservation actions (what should be done and where) for sustainable landscapes Recommendations for finer scale monitoring of the changes to landscapes, species and systems projected in the GBREAIdentification of potential priority areas for conservation, restoration and developmentIdentification of data gaps

Development ofEcoregional Direction (ED)(Potential Outcomes of the Challenges and Opportunities Report)BLM

Ecoregional direction will use the results of the REAs, with input from BLM staff, partner agencies, stakeholders, and tribes, to identify potential focal areas on public lands for resource conservation, restoration, and development, including potential energy development zones. Ecoregional direction will also address opportunities to increase habitat connectivity and resiliency, direct monitoring and research, and enhance cross-jurisdictional coordination.

10BLMNevadas Landscape ApproachMultiple causes of degradation leading to negative cumulative effects to hydrology and in turn vegetation and wildlife.Integrated landscape approach using multiple partnersEnhance sagebrush and degraded meadow habitat for sage-grouse and other sagebrush dependent speciesEnhance P/J woodland habitat for declining P/J dependent bird species and mule deerProtect riparian habitat that supports aspen, cottonwood and diversity of bird and mammal speciesReduce fuel loads and catastrophic fire risk

Field Implementation(Desatoya Mountains Landscape Restoration Project)BLM

Ecoregional direction will use the results of the REAs, with input from BLM staff, partner agencies, stakeholders, and tribes, to identify potential focal areas on public lands for resource conservation, restoration, and development, including potential energy development zones. Ecoregional direction will also address opportunities to increase habitat connectivity and resiliency, direct monitoring and research, and enhance cross-jurisdictional coordination.

12BLMNevadas Landscape Approach

Questions? Todd Hopkins contact info: todd_hopkins@fws.gov-O-775-861-6492-C-775-770-4936John Wilson contact info: johnwilson@blm.gov-)775-861-6613-C-775-275-1769

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