Right Seed in the Right Place at the Right Time: Tools for Sustainable Restoration Webinar Series 2015-16

The Great Basin Native Plant Project, Great Basin Fire Science Exchange, BLM Plant Conservation Program, the US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station, and the Society for Ecological Restoration Great Basin Chapter co-hosted this webinar series on seeding and restoration in 2015 and 2016. The series provides an opportunity to highlight and discuss current research, case-studies, and tools that help inform applied restoration opportunities throughout the Great Basin.

Seed Zones –

Seed zones: Development and use, procurement and deployment, and provisional zones for native plants, presented by Brad St. Clair, Research Geneticist, USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station, Vicky Erikson, Geneticist, USFS Pacific Northwest Region, and Andy Bower, Geneticist, USFS Olympic National Forest

Seed Collection, Seed Increase, and Purchasing Tools –

Wildland seed collection and extraction, presented by Kayla Herriman and Sarah Garvin, USFS Region 6 Bend Seed Extractory, OR

Procurement and application of native plant material in the BLM, presented by Paul Krabacher, BLM

Restoration Equipment and Seeding Strategies –

Post-fire seeding methods for establishing diverse native communities in the Great Basin, presented by Jeff Ott, Research Geneticist and Steve Monsen, Botanist with the USFS- RMRS

Vegetation restoration in response to pinyon and juniper control treatments, presented by Bruce Roundy, Plant Ecologist at Brigham Young University

Assisted succession – Context and tools, presented by Jerry Benson, President, BFI Native Seeds

Restoration of biological soil crusts in the Great Basin, presented by Jayne Belnap, Research Ecologist, USGS

Evaluating strategies for increasing native plant diversity in crested wheatgrass seedings, presented by Kent McAdoo, Rangeland Resources Specialist, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension

Increasing Diversity in Seed Mixes –

Increasing integration of pollinator-friendly forbs in wildland restoration, presented by Byron Love, Ph.D. candidate at Utah State University and technician with the USDA ARS Pollinating Insects Research Unit

The NRCS’s role in developing native plant material for federal land, presented by Derek Tilley, Agronomist and Manager, USDA NRCS Aberdeen Plant Materials Center, ID

Using field studies to find the most promising seed sources for restoration, presented by Beth Leger, Associate Professor of Plant Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno

Weather Variability and Proactive Planning for Restoration –

Weather variability and forecasting tools for short and long term restoration planning, presented by Stuart Hardegree, Plant Physiologist, USDA ARS Northwest Watershed Research Center, Boise, ID

Climate, weather, and sagebrush seed sources: Experimental insights on challenges and opportunities, presented by Matt Germino, Research Ecologist, USGS Snake River Field Station

Seed zones and climate change, presented by Francis Kilkenny, Research Biologist, USFS-RMRS

Sagebrush Seedlings and Plantings –

Sagebrush seed processing and production for restoration in the Great Basin, presented by Clark Fleege, Nursery Manager, USFS Lucky Peak Nursery

An introduction to the Target Plant Concept, presented by Anthony Davis, Director, Center for Forest Nursery and Seedling Research, University of Idaho and Jeremy Pinto, Research Plant Physiologist, USFS RMRS

Southwest Idaho native seed collection, use, and plant material development, presented by Ben Dyer, Fire Ecologist, Upper Snake Field Office BLM, and Danelle Nance, Natural Resource Specialist, Shoshone Field Office BLM

Selecting and Maintaining Genetic Diversity –

Selection of genetically appropriate plant materials for increase, presented by Holly Prendeville, Research Geneticist, USFS PNW

Producing native plant materials for restoration: 10 rules to collect and maintain genetic diversity, presented by Andrea Kramer, Conservation Scientist, Chicago Botanic Garden

Verification of sagebrush subspecies from seed samples and finding the right place for successful restoration, presented by Bryce Richardson, Research Geneticist, USFS RMRS

The incredible diversity of sagebrush chemistry and its potential value in restoration, presented by Justin Runyon, Research Entomologist, USFS RMRS

Pollinators and Insect Predators –

Pollinator-friendly forbs to seed for the sagebrush-steppe, presented by Jim Cane, USDA-ARS Pollinating Insect Research Unit, Utah State University

Restoring shrub-steppe after wildfire: Shrub planting as a viable tool in rehabilitation, presented by Heidi Newsome, Wildlife Biologist, USFWS, Hanford Reach National Monument

Seed Production, Purchase, and Contracting –

Insects affecting native seed production, presented by Bob Hammon, Entomology/Agronomy Extension Agent, Tri River Extension Area

Wildland seed collection: Responding to a changing market, presented by Ed Kleiner, Comstock Seed, Gardnerville, NV

Using native plants in fuel breaks, presented by Mark Williams, BLM, Salt Lake City, UT

Sagebrush Habitat Types and Restoration/Resistance & Resilience –

Sage-grouse forb preference by 12 plant categories, presented by Roger Rosentreter, BLM Idaho Retired State Botanist

Engaging communities in sagebrush restoration: Idaho Fish and Game Southwest Region Volunteer Program, presented by Michael Young, Idaho Fish and Game’s Southwest Region Volunteer Program

Sage-grouse habitat conservation through prisons, presented by Stacy Moore, Ecological Education Program, Institute for Applied Ecology