Natural Biodiversity
Strategic Plan
2005
Introduction
Natural Biodiversity formed in the year 2000 following an identified need
to address the issue of invasive exotic species within the Kiski-Conemaugh River
Basin. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin Conservation Plan,
“Further information on and subsequent control
of invasive knotweed species in riparian area is
needed. An assessment is needed to determine
the extent, severity and threat of knotweed in the
basin.” – VII.D.3 (KCRBA, 1999).
The program became established as an initiative
of Westsylvania Heritage Corporation in 2003, and our pilot focus area
encompasses the 1887 square miles of the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin. Our
mission is:
“To develop and implement a strategy for conserving the diverse natural
heritage of the landscape, ensuring harmonious interactions within
populations, communities, and ecosystems of southwestern and south
central Pennsylvania watersheds.”
We focus our efforts to control invasive species, particularly knotweed,
with the ultimate goal of conserving native biodiversity. A priority that is crucial
in achieving our mission is involving local citizens in our efforts. Therefore, we
incorporate energy into educating communities about invasive exotic species and
their threats to native biodiversity with the ultimate goal of engaging citizens in
organized and independent action. We assess the threats that invasive species
are posing to native biodiversity, as well as continually evaluate our own
2
conservation efforts. We follow a three-pronged approach to obtain our mission:
Assessment, Conservation, and Engagement. We focus on utilizing assessment
and engagement to achieve the ultimate goal of conservation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Strategic Planning Workgroup:
Tom Grote, Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team & Kiski Basin Initiative
Kathy Penrod, National Park Service
Robb Piper, Cambria County Conservation District
Dave Sewak, Westsylvania Heritage Corp.
Dave Steele, Southern Alleghenies RC&D
Natural Biodiversity Staff:
Kristin Sewak, Director
Kylie Daisley, Projects Manager
Angie Bridge, Lead Assessment Coordinator/AmeriCorps Member (former)
Mandy Painter, Lead Conservation Coordinator/AmeriCorps Member (former:
*Mandy now serves Natural Biodiversity as its Juniata Project Manager)
Melissa Shontofski, Lead Engagement Coordinator & AmeriCorps Member
(former)
Kristen Hironimus, Lead Engagement Coordinator & AmeriCorps Member
Special Thanks to Janie French and Haley Sankey from Canaan Valley Institute
for facilitating the strategic planning meeting, as well as Rob McCombie,
Westsylvania Heritage Corporation, who provided his time and input to the
strategic planning workgroup.
Reference:
Kiski Conemaugh River Basin Alliance (KCRBA) 1999. Kiski-Conemaugh River
Basin Conservation Plan. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources.
3
STRATEGY I
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Natural Biodiversity believes that in order to maintain a valuable and
productive organization we must adhere to our mission and avoid straying
from our goals and objectives. Natural Biodiversity understands that in order
to maintain a flourishing organization, we must strive to hold an active and
diversified array advisors and steering experts, as well as partnerships and
close working relationships. We also strongly believe in a sound management
structure, which will help us accomplish our mission in an effective and
efficient manner.
ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS
A. Identify the roles of the steering committee members in conjunction
with Natural Biodiversity’s three key components (Assessment,
Conservation, and Engagement)
1. Construct specific set of benefits and responsibilities for each
member to expect and adhere to ~ March 2006
2. Revisit steering committee member list and invite potential
participants according to recommendations of the current
steering committee ~ June 2006
3. Develop a memorandum of understanding between the
steering committee members and Natural Biodiversity ~
December 2006
4. Amend the steering committee member list biennially if
needed ~ Ongoing
B. Define Natural Biodiversity’s organizational management structure
1. Determine structure most appropriate to Natural
Biodiversity’s mission, strategy and activities ~ March 2006
4
2. Amend contract between Westsylvania Heritage
Corporation (WHC) and Natural Biodiversity (if applicable)
~ June 2006
3. Transition to new structure (if applicable) ~ December 2006
4. Develop a business plan for Natural Biodiversity ~ June 2007
C. Define Natural Biodiversity’s advisory committee
1. Determine roles of the advisory committee ~ August 2006
2. Develop an agreement with advisory committee members ~
June 2007
D. Continue to form partnerships and relationships while strengthening
existing ones
1. Build a hybrid of relationships for the purpose of
strengthening conservation roles and collaborative efforts ~
September 2006
2. Evaluate effectiveness of collaboration efforts ~ December
2007
5
STRATEGY II
ASSESSMENT
Natural Biodiversity’s assessment component entails continual
evaluation of the biological impacts that invasive species pose to the native
biodiversity in the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin and beyond. We assess the
status of the local biodiversity by gaining a glimpse of riparian area vegetation
composition via our 105 survey sites located every five river miles throughout
the basin. Our survey sites help to pinpoint source populations of invasive
species in the headwaters of the basin as well identify impacted areas.
Another important aspect of assessment is to inventory and rank the impacts,
whether positive or negative, that various factors pose to biodiversity. We
believe in incorporating our Weed Watcher volunteer program as an important
feature to monitor and detect any encroaching invasive species within the
basin. We have also invited innovative technology into our assessment
strategy to accomplish our mission. We also continually evaluate the
effectiveness of program activities through biological field study, public,
partner and volunteer surveys, as well as through public meetings, online
forums, and continuous communications.
ASSESSMENT GOALS
A. Define the scale of assessment in the Kiski-Conemaugh River Basin
1. Determine if there is a need for a more detailed assessment
protocol or other riparian assessment techniques for larger
scale assessments ~ March 2006
2. Apply a visual riparian assessment to headwater regions of
the Kiski-Conemaugh’s six sub-watersheds ~ August 2006
3. Assess the riparian survey sites along the Little Conemaugh,
Stonycreek, Conemaugh, Blacklick, Loyalhanna, and Kiski
Rivers using a combination of assessment methods to
determine the location and presence of invasive exotic
species ~ August 2006
6
4. Determine a need for assessment beyond riparian areas ~
December 2007
B. Continue to implement the Natural Riparian Health Survey Project
along the South Fork Branch of Little Conemaugh River beyond its
first year
1. Reevaluate the study design based on the first year results
and make needed changes ~ March 2006
2. Distribute yearly reports on the study’s results and
progression by the second month of the following year ~
Ongoing to February 2008
3. Complete study and final report ~ August 2008
C. Evaluate and utilize the remote sensing data
1.
Complete accuracy assessment of remote sensing data by
“ground-truthing” via Natural Biodiversity staff and Weed
Watcher Volunteers ~ June 2006
2. Provide review of remote sensing project ~ June 2006
3. Interpret and manage the aerial hyperspectral data for early
detection and rapid response purposes by ~ March 2007
4. Make hyperspectral data available on Natural Biodiversity’s
website by August 2007
5. Incorporate hyperspectral data into appropriate projects –
riparian assessments, weed watcher program, and other
projects as needed ~ Ongoing
6. Provide data available to partners who request specific
information made possible through the hyperspectral
flyover ~ Ongoing by request
7
STRATEGY III
CONSERVATION
Natural Biodiversity’s primary objective is to conserve the native
biodiversity within southwestern and south central Pennsylvania
primarily by controlling invasive exotic species, particularly knotweed.
We currently manage 20 knotweed control sites, where we demonstrate
the benefits of removing invasive species and the effectiveness of
various control methods. All demonstration sites are located on public
lands where we work toward providing on-site educational signage,
open house events, and a customized outdoor classroom, as well as
promoting increased usage of restored sites by the public. We abide by
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) tactics developed by Penn State
University, where we strive to use the least environmentally impacting
methods of control and
maximize cultural impacts
such as citizen action,
prevention and native
plantings. Our Weed
Whacker volunteer core is
an important link in our
conservation efforts and
Partners Plant Riparian Trees with
Natural Biodiversity Staff
IPM measures. We also
focus our efforts in restoring
areas back to a more natural
state once invasive species are controlled, giving natural succession a
helping hand. We utilize Streambank Stewards and Habitat Stewards™
to restore specific areas.
8
CONSERVATION GOALS
A.
Develop a programmatic biodiversity conservation plan for the Natural
Biodiversity while incorporating assessment and engagement
components
1. Identify technical partners to draft conservation plan and
outcomes under the supervision of the steering committee ~
April 2006
2. Complete conservation plan and outcomes ~ June 2007
E. Determine and prioritize positive and negative impacts to biodiversity
within the basin
1. Compile and utilize current, applicable studies conducted by
other organizations and agencies that are available ~ June
2006
2. Incorporate remote sensing, predictive model, and other
data ~ December 2006
3. Request and utilize public input through survey or other
means ~ December 2006
4. Compile and prioritize all for inclusion within conservation
plan ~ June 2007
F. Develop management plans for all Natural Biodiversity project sites
1.
Develop and distribute application for assistance with new
invasive species, riparian planting, or habitat enhancement
site ~ February 2006
2. Generate management plans for current demonstration sites,
the Natural Riparian Health Survey Project, and the Habitat
Steward™ Community Project by identifying responsible
site managers, training the site managers, overseeing
outcomes, compiling data and continuing to assess the sites
~ April 2006
3. Develop contractual agreements with landowners for each
project site ~ April 2006
9
STRATEGY IV
ENGAGEMENT
Incorporating local community members into Natural
Biodiversity project efforts is a critical component to meaningful
conservation. We depend on community support to effectively
accomplish our mission and to move forward in our project efforts. We
strive toward making our mission the public’s own desire through
outreach, education,
demonstration and
ultimately
engagement. We
work with a variety
of partners to
educate the public
about invasive
exotic species by
attending events,
presenting at local
“Weed Whackers” sweat under a July
sun to rid the developing Hoodlebug Trail
of knotweed species
schools and
universities along
with similar educational endeavors. We currently hold a 100-citizen
volunteer core through our Weed Watcher, Weed Whacker, Streambank
Stewards, and Habitat Stewards™ programs. We utilize these
volunteers to implement actions, such as native tree and flower
plantings at demonstration and community project sites, identifying
invasive plants in the field, and whacking knotweed and other invasive
species.
10
ENGAGEMENT GOALS
A. Identify Natural Biodiversity lead partners within each of the program
areas, ACE
1. Determine partners which are critical in accomplishing the
program’s objectives within each of the components:
assessment, conservation, and engagement ~ April 2006
2. Solicit commitment to and involvement in activities of each
of the components, including planning efforts and project
management ~ June 2006
B. Increase volunteer involvement in Natural Biodiversity’s conservation
efforts
1. Identify leadership roles for individual volunteers prior to
each project, and then recruit trustworthy volunteers to full
those roles
a. Template leadership job descriptions ~ March 2006
b. Recruitment of initial volunteer leader corps ~ April 2006
2. Grow and sustain each of the four organized volunteer
programs: Weed Watchers, Weed Whackers, Streambank
Stewards, and Habitat Stewards™ ~ Ongoing
3. Hold annual trainings for the four volunteer corps ~
Ongoing
4. Revise existing and devise new incentives to promote
volunteer retention and attract additional volunteers ~
Ongoing
C. Market biodiversity conservation to the private sector
1. Educate targeted groups, organizations, and businesses,
such as those from the planning, government and
development sector; outdoor recreational sector; and the
nursery/landscaping industries
a. Educational brochures mass mailing ~ April 2006
b. Devise array of marketing techniques and products ~
August 2006
11
2.
Work with area conservation partners to coordinate
outreach initiatives and to inform communities of Natural
Biodiversity’s mission through development of
comprehensive communications strategy ~August 2006
3. Develop educational materials such as brochures and
pamphlets and incorporate website improvements
~Ongoing
D. Cultivate a technical assistance package for public and private
landowners, as well as for non-profit organizations
1. Polish and distribute first edition of non-profit practitioners
handbook, also for inclusion in total package ~ June 2006
2. Determine proper technical support to draft package and
request help June 2006
3. Establish technical assistance package draft with goal of
providing proper invasive species management ~ October
2006
4. Distribute updated technical assistance package yearly ~
Ongoing, with initial distribution in February 2007
E. Spur independent biodiversity conservation action by citizens
1.
Develop and communications strategy ~ August 2006
2. Implement communications strategy ~ March 2007
3. Evaluate effectiveness of efforts through survey over the
course of 10 years from initiation ~ Ongoing through March
2017
12