Next Steps:
Implementing Change
in New York City
Background
How Things are Done Now Typical Project Lead Times Specification of ‘What Is Local’ in Typical
Project Documents
GOAL
To Maximize the Amount of Plant Material Used in New York City Projects from
“Local Genotypic” Material As Defined by a Set of Protocols Protocols yet to be Determined
Coordination of Project Information
Establish an:
Interagency Coordinating Committee
Create a:
5-Year List Of Planned ProjectsUpdate Regularly (Quarterly, Semi-annually, &
Annually)
Coordination of Project Information
Generate a:
Composite List of Projected Plant Needs
Plant Needs Listed Incrementally: 3-months, 6-months, 1-Year, 2,3,4,5 Years
Coordination of Project Information
Lists could be Updated over the Internet Lists could be Posted on the Internet
Establish Protocols For Determining “What Is Local” For New York City
The Same Interagency Coordination Committee could: Establish, Review, Refine, Update, & Change
Protocols as New Information becomes Available
Protocols
State Generalizations (where possible) Establish a Hierarchy of Acceptable Criteria
for Plant Procurement: Genetics, Seed Transfer Zones, Distances, Maps,
etc.
Protocols
Maintain Contact with Outside Experts Protocols should be Goals & Guidelines, not
Hard and Fast Rules Need Graduate Students to do Basic
Research
Improving Plant Procurement
Work to gain acceptance of Local Genotypic Plant Material as more than just another “Off-The-Shelf Stock Item”
Work To Change Procurement Policy
Improving Plant Procurement
Increase Seed Banking of Local Genotypic Seed in New York City.
Improving Plant Procurement
Increase Seed Banking of Local Genotype Seed in New York City.
Establish The Native Plant Center as a Regional Active Seed Bank
Regional Active Seed Bank
Dramatically Increases Number Of Species Seed Banked Dramatically Increases the Quantity Of
Seeds Banked Native Plant Center has the Storage Capacity Native Plant Center already Records
Provenance of all Seed and Plants at Nursery
Improving Plant Procurement
More Contract Growing For Large-Scale Projects With Long Lead-Times
Improving Plant Procurement
Establish a “New York City Certified Local Genotype” Nursery Stock Program Based on Protocols Established by
Interagency Coordination Committee First Preference would be Given to Certified
Nursery Stock (when available)
New York City Certified Local Genotype
Commercial Nurseries would Voluntarily Join as Cooperators
Certified Local Seed would be Provided by Native Plant Center to Cooperating Nurseries
Cooperators would Grow “On Spec”, but would be Aided by:
-the Composite List of Plant Needs and
-the 5-Year List of Planned Projects
New York City Certified Local Genotype
All Pre-certified Nurseries would be Eligible to Bid on Projects
If Certified Plants were Unavailable, existing Specifications for Procurement could be Used
New York City Certified Local Genotype
Would include Bulk Seed Products Native Plant Center Starting Program to Produce
Founder Seed Stock Would be made Available to Commercial
Growers to Produce “New York City Certified Local Genotype Bulk Seed”
Changing Policy
Relevant Agency’s and Staff: Agency Chief Contracting Officers (ACCO’S) Agency Chief Consuls The Procurement Policy Board The Office of Management & Budget
Changing Policy
Available Forums To Advocate Change: Mayor’s Office of Environmental Coordination Mayor’s Long-Term Strategic Planning Initiative
(LTSPI) Mayor’s Task Force on Sustainability (TFS)
Changing Policy
Mayor’s Task Force on Sustainability Add Preservation of Local Genotypes to the
Sustainability Agenda
Changing Policy
From The LTSPI/TSF Draft Document: Goals:
Increase Environmentally Preferable Products for purchase Develop rules and polices Identification of environmentally preferable products for
purchase
Expand outreach, training and Demonstration Projects