Native Warm Season Grass (NWSG) Establishment and Capacity Building - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Native Warm Season Grass (NWSG) Establishment and Capacity Building Claude L. Jenkins, CWB Alabama Wildlife Federation

̶ ̶ ̶ Partnership Overview Goal Break down barriers to successful NWSG establishment • 2011 – 2013 • 10 demonstration sites 10 acres Private and public lands Contractors and resource professionals • 3 workshops and 3 field days • NWSG DVD

Accomplishments Demonstration Sites 5 contractors 11 resource professionals Workshops 91 resource professionals 30 contractors

Accomplishments Field Days 123 landowners 300 DVDs • Contractors • Resource professionals • Landowners

Partnership Impact • More capable managers • No-till drill now available • Knowledge acceleration − NWSG establishment − grassland habitat values Indirect Outcomes • Source for expertise and information • Increase requests for technical assistance

Lessons Learned • Decisions regarding establishment of native warm season grasses should be site-specific and goal driven • Knowledge of species adaptations is required for successful NWSG establishment • Ecological knowledge is required when selecting a species or a mix of species to establish for wildlife habitat • Critical thinking skills are a must for successful site-preparation prior to planting NWSGs

Looking Forward • Maintain capacity – Demo site maintenance – Provide assistance to resource professionals – Develop technical committee • Grassland restoration – Case studies, etc. – NBCI, EGCPJV and AL SWAP