multiple societal benefits of large scale restoration
DESCRIPTION
This workshop highlights successful large scale, on-the-ground restoration efforts in several priority areas of the Great Lakes. Strategies will be shared for planning, financing, and articulating results from restoration projects in order to bring multiple societal benefits. Participants will brainstorm the next level of restoration impacts we would like to see from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.TRANSCRIPT
Implementing a Landscape-Based Conservation Program
Russ TerryDirector of Conservation Programs
Case Study: Western Lake Erie Watershed, MI
Conservation Program: A mission-driven,science-based initiative that includes on-the-ground conservation, policy, partners, fund-raising and communication components.
Conservation: Western Lake Erie Watershed, MI
DU conservation since 1987• 405 projects• 17,100 acres conserved• Wetland/native grassland P, R, E• Public and private
How?• Great need and potential• Diverse partnerships• Diverse funding sources• Good communication/marketing
Partners: Western Lake Erie Watershed, MI
Partners are key to success• Link to projects and other partners• Help communicate success and need• Own/manage projects• Bring funding/match to the table• Share related mission
Who are DU partners?• Private/public• Traditional/non-traditional• AOC PAC’s• NAWMP committee• Consider funders our partners
Funding: Western Lake Erie Watershed, MI
Funding is critical to building program• Need diverse sources • Public (partners, grants, corporations)• Private (foundations, individuals)• Private leverage public (seed money)
Public funding sources• North American Wetlands Conservation Act• Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act• Great Lakes Coastal Program• National Coastal Wetland Conservation Program• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
GLRI: Western Lake Erie Watershed, MI
GLRI Western Lake Erie• Six direct grants/sub-awards• $3.5 million; 2,000 acres P,R,E• Restore fish passage• GIS planning
How?• Landscape-based conservation• Sell need (link to plans) • Science-based (link to plans)• Lots of partners• Promote societal benefits • Communication strategy
Benefits to Society: Western Lake Erie Watershed, MI
Wetland Benefits• Habitat for fish and wildlife• Improved water quality• Reduced impact of flood events• Recharged groundwater supplies• Recreation• Stimulates local economies Restoration = hire local contractors Ecosystem services $10,500/acre/year Recreational value $3,500/acre/year 4.2 M hunt/fish/watch wildlife: $5.1 Billion Support 10,000’s related non-exportable jobs
Communications:Western Lake Erie Watershed, MI
Communicating Results/Need/Benefits• News releases• Internal/external publications• Website• Signs• Press events• Professional meetings• Tours• Dedications
