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Pinyon and juniper encroachment into sagebrush ecosystems impacts distribution and survival of greater sage-grouse

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Collectively, these results provide clear evidence that local sage-grouse distributions and demographic rates are influenced by pinyon-juniper, especially in habitats with higher primary productivity but relatively low and seemingly benign tree cover. Such areas may function as ecological traps that convey attractive resources but adversely affect population vital rates. To increase sage-grouse survival, our model predictions support reducing actual pinyon-juniper cover as low as 1.5%, which is lower than the published target of 4.0%. These results may represent effects of pinyon-juniper cover in areas with similar ecological conditions to those of the Bi-State Distinct Population Segment, where populations occur at relatively high elevations and pinyon-juniper is abundant and widespread.

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Targeted grazing: Applying the research to the land

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This article highlights the experiences and observations of the contributing contract graziers and agency land managers. The contract graziers share their personal knowledge of providing land services in a diverse array of situations, from small, rigorously managed parcels to watershed-scale projects. They expound on the immense planning, preparation, and oversight necessary to successfully conduct a vegetation management contract, as well as the challenges of surviving economically in the industry. Public land managers reveal the challenges of employing targeted grazing on public lands and provide insight on what must be done to make targeted grazing a widely accepted management practice.

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2020 Nevada Forest, Range and Watershed Action Plan

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This plan is intended to provide a shared vision for natural resource management and conservation in Nevada. The plan incorporates the existing “All Hands – All Lands” approach together with the recent Shared Stewardship Agreement signed by the State and Federal land management agencies in Nevada to guide the strategic direction for the management of natural resources across all lands in Nevada. To ensure this goal, NDF is asking natural resource management and conservation stakeholders and interested public to review and provide substantive comments that help advance the plan’s strategic direction.

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PNW Drought Early Warning System- June drought and climate outlook

Webinar recording.

The Pacific Northwest Drought Early Warning System (PNW DEWS) Drought & Climate Outlook Webinar is part of a series of regular drought and climate outlook webinars designed to provide stakeholders and other interested parties in the region with timely information on current drought status and impacts, as well as a preview of current and developing climatic events (i.e. El Niño and La Niña).

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Assessing pollinator friendliness of plants and designing mixes to restore habitat for bees

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This study assessed the attractiveness and use by bees of 24 native plant species that are standard for revegetation projects (focal plants) on national forest lands in western Montana. Focal plants that had the highest visitation rate, attracted the most bee species, supported specialist bee species, and bloomed for extended periods across the landscape were considered “pollinator-friendly.” Our results suggest that Salix bebbiana, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Lupinus sericeus, Rosa woodsii, Symphoricarpos albus, Erigeron speciosus, Symphyotrichum foliaceum, and Gaillardia aristata could create a seed mix that is effective for pollinator restoration on public lands. Pollinator-friendliness score cards are provided to allow land managers to select plant species to include in restoration mixes that benefit pollinators. Identifying mixes of pollinator-friendly native plant species that are available for restoration will allow land managers to both revegetate disturbed habitats and restore bee communities on federal lands. The methods developed in this project can be used to design seed mixes for pollinator restoration on other public lands.

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Developing a common science framework for the integrated rangeland fire strategy and mitigation strategies

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This presentation was used to guide the Secretarial Order 3336 work session on Feb. 26, 2016 during the Sagebrush Ecosystem Conservation: All Hands, All Lands Conference.

The session agenda included:

  • Overview of SO 3336 and various actions required by IRFS as they relate to the Conservation and Restoration Strategy
  • Overview of the need to develop management zone mitigation strategies
  • Demonstrate of the work that has been completed to date
  • Discussion
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Ethical seed sourcing is a key issue in meeting global restoration targets

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The global demand for restoration has increased orders of magnitude in the last decade, and hundreds of thousands of tonnes of native seed are required to feed this restoration engine. But where are all the seeds required by restoration going to come from? Wild seed resources continue to be depleted by habitat loss, land degradation and climatic change, and over-collection of seed from wild populations threatens to erode these resources further. Ethical seed sourcing for restoration now represents a core issue in responsible restoration practice. Solutions include the introduction of regulatory frameworks controlling seed sourcing from wild populations, the development of seed farming capacity and advancement of seed enhancement technologies and precision delivery systems reducing seed wastage.

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Natural experiment shows fuel treatment effectiveness

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Strategically placed landscape area fuel treatments in the Sierra Nevada were put to the test in this study when the American Fire burned through previously treated areas. Both fire effects and initial post-fire conifer regeneration were investigated.

A wrench inside a cog

Cheatgrass cover in western and central parts of the northern Great Basin — 2000-2013

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This dataset contains a time series (2000-2013) of cheatgrass percent cover maps covering the western and central areas of the northern Great Basin. The time series of cheatgrass percent cover maps was developed for two primary reasons: To better understand cheatgrass percent cover dynamics in the northern Great Basin and to develop a dataset that can be used as proxy for annual actual cheatgrass production thereby serving as the dependent variable in the cheatgrass dieoff model.

Closeup of Bromus arvensis flowers

Basic identification of grasses: A 2-day short course

The Basic Identification of Grasses two-day short course covers the unique taxonomy of about 50 different grasses and grass-like plant genera. This class is for beginner through intermediate agrostologists and will include basic terminology, dissection, and use of a dichotomous key for identification. You will also learn how to collect and press grasses for future reference or for the purpose of mailing to others for identification/verification. The class may be taken for 1 unit of optional credit at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).

When: Class will be March 14-15 OR 16-17, 2022

Where: 300G of Fleischman Agriculture, University of Nevada, Reno

How: Sign up by contacting the instructor, Arnold (Jerry) Tiehm | Atiehm@att.net | 775-742-9180. Be sure to include your preferred class date and indicate whether or not you want to receive class credit.

Cost: $ 150 for non-students, $ 80 for students. Bring cash or check (made to Board of Regents) to the first day of class.

Details: Class will be 8 am -5 pm with a one-hour lunch break. Tea and coffee will be provided.

 

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