MISSION IS TO PROTECT AMERICA'S NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS:
OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO CONSERVE FOR THE FUTURE USA's
LARGEST NETWORK OF PUBLIC LANDS
Why is membership in PLF important?
BECAUSE WE NEED YOU!!!!
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MISSION IS TO PROTECT AMERICA'S NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS: OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO CONSERVE FOR THE FUTURE USA's LARGEST NETWORK OF PUBLIC LANDS Why is membership in PLF important? BECAUSE WE NEED YOU!!!! |
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Monitoring Volunteers Enjoy Work, October Sun & Breezes-- October 9, 2007
A warm October sun and cooling breezes provided excellent conditions for monitoring some of Arizona BLM’s most beautiful uplands. The well-managed livestock operation in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area was the site of a week-long monitoring effort by BLM staff, The Nature Conservancy volunteers and Public Lands Foundation volunteers. John Mezes and Beau McClure volunteered their time on behalf of the Public Lands Foundation for three days, October 3-5, 2007. During those three days, seven 1,000-point linear transects were studied to determine perennial grass species, annual grass, herb, shrub and litter cover and bear-ground, gravel, rock and litter basal frequency. This information will be used to determine vegetation trends and future livestock stocking levels in the National Conservation Area. It was a gratifying and enjoyable experience and both John and Beau returned home with a feeling that they had contributed to a worthwhile effort that would help ensure the future health of the watershed. Karen Simms, BLM Tucson Field Office, organized the monitoring effort with help from an Intern, Annika Jones. John Anderson, a BLM Botanist; Jony Cockman, a BLM Ecologist; and Gita Bodner of The Nature Conservancy also provided support. Six to twelve volunteers (including some of the above) each day assisted with the grassland monitoring. Thanks to Karen Simms and BLM, travel expenses for John and Beau were reimbursed. Las Cienegas National Conservation Area is located in a valley between the Santa Rita, Whetstone and Huachuca Mountains about 40 miles southeast of Tucson, Arizona and just north of the small town of Sonoita, Arizona. The grassland watershed protects and supports a perennial segment of Cienega Creek and a riparian forest.Monitoring in Las Cienegas National Conservation Area is done every year so that complete coverage is accomplished every three years. BLM can only accomplish this with the help of volunteers. PLF members are encouraged to volunteer to help with this important effort. No monitoring experience is necessary. It takes only a few days out of your year and it means so much to BLM and to the valuable public lands it manages. And it is fun! Please contact Beau McClure at bcmcclure@cox.net if you are interested in helping next September or October.
Las Ciengas National Conservation Area
John Mezes & Jony Cockman winding up tape after completing monitoring plot
Lunch under the shade of a Mesquite tree- John Mezes, Karen Simms, Annika Jones, Virginia Bealer & Gita Bodner
John Mezes at a monitoring point
Las Cienegas National Conservation Area
A ROLE FOR PLF --TO HELP BLM’S MONITORING PROGRAM
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between BLM and PLF provides the procedures for PLF members and all BLM retirees to help BLM gather data to measure progress toward meeting resource objectives and achieving land health standards. Many PLF members are experienced with gathering data with up to date training by BLM. These include methods for monitoring and inventorying wildlife habitat, vegetation community composition and riparian functionality. There are also opportunities for monitoring assistance in many other BLM programs. The opportunities for helping BLM with their monitoring responsibilities is quite unlimited. Recently a group of PLF members (see photo) stepped forward, joined by local members of the Defenders of Wildlife organization and the Boise District Wildlife Biologists to monitor the habitat of the Southern Idaho Ground Squirrel, a Candidate Species. A school bus of elementary students and their science teacher also joined the group. The squirrel’s habitat is being threatened by the constant encroachment of medusahead, which is spreading rapidly in this area by increasingly frequent fires. USFWS and BLM have entered into a number of Candidate Species Agreements with local landowners, which specifies that they will do nothing to harm the squirrels and their habitat, in return for which those landowners will be exempt from "blame" if the squirrels continue to decline and perhaps become a listed Endangered Species. We are certain that all BLM districts would have similar opportunities for PLF members to volunteer their expertise and time to help with their monitoring needs. We have asked BLM to develop a list of these priority-monitoring needs. This list will be available soon for our members to consider. We encourage all out members who are able and willing to help with this important work to contact their local BLM Office and offer their help. Please let Keith Miller know of your contacts at r.keith.miller@att.net or 480-451- 9090. He will be the clearinghouse for this effort and can answer your questions and match your desires with a BLM request for help. Arrangements can be made to accommodate the time you have available if it is only a day or two. Just tell Keith the BLM Districts you would like to revisit. BLM will provide needed training, transportation to the field and in some cases per diem. Here is an opportunity for you to join with your old associates and work as a team. Check our web site for BLM requests for monitoring help at www.publicland.org.
PLF Helps Boise with Squirrel Inventory --April 21, 2007
The squirrel hunt when famously! We didn't find many squirrels (the Southern Idaho Ground Spuirrel, a Candidate Species) but everyone had a great day in the field and we connected with with the Boise District wildlife biologists (Carrigan and Hollaway) and the Defenders rep. Jesse Timberlake. Six PLFers attended: Ferry, Spang, K. Hagerman, A. Logosz, L. Hanlon, and myself. Our job was to take visual observations and count the number of squirrels present. We were looking at only a small portion of the over-all squirrel habitat area but we found only seven squirrels. This would indicate that there is a problem and it is doubtful that the population we counted will survive with such a low number. We did see numerous squirrels in other parts of the habitat area. The squirrels survival depends, of course, on adequate habitat. Their habitat is being threatened by the constant encroachment of medusahead, which is spreading rapidly in this area by increasingly frequent fires. USFWS and BLM have entered into a number of Candidate Species Agreements with local landowners, which specifies that they will do nothing to harm the squirrels and their habitat, in return for which those landowners will be exempt from "blame" if the squirrels continue to decline and perhaps become a listed Endangered Species. We had a grand day and, I think, made some new friends. I should mention that there was a group of about 10-15 elementary school kids along on the tour with their science teacher. They were from a school in Emmett (about 20 miles NW of Boise). They seemed to be having a good time and no doubt absorbed something new. Gardner took these two pictures. Deane Z.
Al Logosz, Ed Spang, Ken Egerman, Larry Hanlon, Gardner Ferry, Deane Zeller, Tim Carrigan (BLM Wildlife Biologist) are the PLF Folks in the picture to the left (from left to right)
Retirees from Idaho/Eastern Oregon Needed -- March 28, 2007
I just heard back from Idaho and the date of April
20th will be OK. Our contact and project leader is
Tim Carrigan, BLM Boise District Wildlife Biologist Meeting
location and time: The group will leave on
4/20 at 8:00 am from
the BLM Distinct Office at 3948 Development Ave, Boise,
which is near the airport. Skills needed
None, just an interest in helping BLM monitor the ground
squirrels and their habitat following a wild fire in 2006. The
area was rehabilitated last fall by planting grasses and
forbs Project location The ground squirrel's
habitat is a small area about 5 acres, north and west of Boise
about 100 miles near the town of Sweet, Idaho. The
squirrel is a candidate species. Transportation to the
site Depending how many volunteers there will be, BLM
will provide two cars and may be necessary to use volunteer's
cars. Plan on an all-day trip. Miscellaneous
It will depend upon the weather on the 20th but will need
strong walking shoes/boots, long pants, jacket, hat, etc.
There is a short walk for the end of the road to the
site. Field glasses and spotting scopes would be good to
have. Bag lunch will be needed. This is the
basic information needed to proceed to contact
volunteers. We should plan on having a firm number of
participants by April 13 so that plans can
be made accordingly. More later, George Lea, President
Public Lands Foundation
MOU Signed --June 22, 2006
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between BLM and PLF on monitoring has been signed! On June 22, 2006 PLF President George Lea and BLM Director Kathleen Clarke accompanied by several PLF Board of Director signed the MOU.
We now have the formal framework providing the opportunity for retirees to get back to the field on occasion and get “dusted up “, get stuck or high centered again. Many of our members have indicated an interest in helping BLM collect their monitoring data and this program will give us the chance. The signatories to this MOU agree that monitoring is an essential component of effective management of the public lands and resources. Monitoring allows BLM to determine change in conditions resulting from various management actions and to ascertain the need for changes in management to achieve resource objectives. Monitoring is used to measure progress toward meeting resource objectives and achieving land health standards.
Many PLF members are experienced with gathering data using methods approved by BLM.
Members have expressed a desire to use their expertise and capabilities to supplement data collection performed by BLM staff and could provide voluntary service to help BLM accomplish this important task.
BLM has sent the MOU to field offices and we are already receiving request from BLM for help.
PLF member Keith Miller will be the coordinator for this effort and now that the MOU has been signed you can let Keith know of your interest by emailing him at r.keith.miller@att.net or phone at 480-451-9090. The various BLM field office program leaders would prescribe the methods, timing and location of monitoring needed, provide transportation and to train volunteers in collecting the data. PLF would match these needs with interested Foundation members. BLM would, of course, store and interpret the information collected. PLF’s role would be the collection of data. Be one of the first-call Keith today
BLM has been notoriously short of personnel to carry out its responsibilities and follow up evaluations such as monitoring usually has had to be given lower priority or not accomplished. When accomplished, BLM monitoring is often not continuous but sporadic depending on the funding and priority given it. The lack of personnel is often the main reason for poor accomplishments in monitoring. A program of PLF members volunteering time to aid BLM accomplishing their program monitoring could be a win/win situation for both retirees and BLM.
The best thing PLF can give to BLM employees is assistance. PLF does this in many ways, some of which are not observable by most BLM field people (like budgets, Congressional testimony, awards, position statements, archives, etc). But, monitoring provides a mechanism by which that assistance can be given in a visible, direct, helpful, and useable way.
Present day BLM employees are no different than those of old--they have more to do than they can possibly get done and so here is a place for PLF to come to the aid of their younger co-horts and both benefit from the experience. It also shows BLMers that PLF members are still interested in public lands resources and concerned about their health and well being. PLF members truly want to be helpful.
I encourage everyone to contact Keith and enjoy this opportunity to put your experience to a good use.
George Lea, PLF President
Volunteer Opportunities in Boise District that may be considered by Public Lands Foundation Members
Note:If you are interested in volunteering for any of these projects, please contact Clair Whitlock by phone at 343-4473 or e-mail at cbj.whitlock@att.net.
A.General Compliance of Allotments
Duties:Drive to allotments that have completed assessments to ensure livestock are within management prescription. GPS all range improvements (water developments, corrals, gates, etc.), and report their condition. Report on grazing permittees’ view of the current system.
Qualifications: Individual must have experience with back country driving, a general understanding of livestock and rangeland management systems, and some knowledge of structural range improvements.
B. Utilization Monitoring
Duties: Individual would take utilization transects on grazing allotments at the end of the grazing period of use. Some allotments would also be mapped, showing use levels throughout the allotment. This would require hiking through the pastures, usually in rough terrain.
Qualifications: Individual needs to have knowledge of local flora and experience in back country travel. As hiking is necessary, the individual(s) must be physically able to walk rough terrain under unfavorable climatic conditions. Knowledge of livestock behavior and foraging activities is an advantage.
C. Nested Frequency Monitoring
Duties: Individual would assist ecologist or technician in reading nested frequency study sites. Locations are usually in hot, rocky terrain. Limited hiking usually required. Depending on the experience level, the individual may be supervised or unsupervised.
Qualifications: May be experienced or inexperienced in procedures. If inexperienced, individual would be a data recorder and have the opportunity to learn plant species identification. If experienced and already has knowledge of the local flora, may be able to read the plots themselves with or without assistance. Must be able to withstand hazardous terrain and weather conditions.
D. Ground Cover Transects
Duties: Individual would be collecting ground cover step point transects on livestock grazing allotments scheduled for field assessments. Work would require extensive hiking in rough terrain during unfavorable climatic situations. Individual would be trained to use digital camera and GPS.
Qualifications: Knowledge of local flora is essential in this position, as the work would basically be unsupervised. Must have experience in back country travel.
E. Photo Points
Duties: Individual would set up a series of photo points within the Management Units to record upland vegetation change over time. These points would be permanently marked with stakes and GPS coordinates and a route developed to be retaken every year at the same time period.
Qualifications: Individual must be experienced in back country travel and able to read topographic maps. Must have some experience using cameras (digital if possible). If necessary, will train to use GPS. Most of the work will be unsupervised, but occasional assistance from Ecologist or other BLM staff would occur.
F. Range Readiness
Duties: Individual would report range readiness and plant phenology information along an established route every two weeks during the spring between March 1 and May 30. This is an annual monitoring procedure to develop a record of plant phenology and climate for the Four Rivers Field Office.
Qualifications: As this task involves returning to the same sites every year, an ability to use GPS unit, or to learn to use a GPS unit and digital camera are necessary. An interest in and keen knowledge of the plant species of the area are necessary to identify the plants and record their phenological stage. Back country travel experience is necessary, and experience driving back country roads is necessary. Individual must be able to read USGS topographic maps. This is a very fun project for those who love flowers. Every two weeks there are different species of flowers that bloom.
G. Bird Ladder Compliance in Water Troughs
Duties: Individual would drive assigned routes to locate water troughs and check whether bird ladders are installed and functional. GPS location, photograph ladder, and document situation on a report form.
Qualifications: Indiv idual must be experienced in back country travel and able to read topographic maps. Must have some experience using cameras (digital if possible). If necessary, will train to use GPS. Most of the work will be unsupervised, but occasional assistance from Range staff would occur.
H. Office/Filing Help
Duties: Individual would assist with record filing, grazing bills, data input, and general office organization.
Qualifications:Based on computer skill level, the duties would range from filing to use of Excel, Access, and possibly GIS.
A. Population Monitoring
Duties: Assist Botanist with monitoring rare plant populations and habitat inventories.
Qualifications: Must have significant experience with back country travel, reading topographic maps, and physical endurance. Would require hiking and extensive knowledge of local flora.
Duties: Individual would work with a group restoring an area of about five acres to optimum habitat for this candidate species.
Qualifications: Individual(s) must meet the physical demands of being able to prepare a seedbed, plant shrubs and seed forbs and grasses during the fall under supervision of Area Wildlife Biologist.
B. Maintenance and construction of Wildlife Exclosures
Duties: Assist in constructing and maintaining exclosures. This may require duties where the individual is unsupervised.
Qualifications: Activities are labor intensive and may require physical strength and endurance. Individual must be able to hike in hazardous country and carry heavy supplies/equipment in unfavorable weather conditions.
A. Wilderness Study Area Monitoring
Duties: Need an individual to drive and hike WSAs, monitoring and documenting new vehicle routes, tree cutting, and other impairments. Also need to install and maintain WSA boundary signs and compile reports.
Qualifications: Individual must have experience in back country travel, reading USGS topographic maps, and physical endurance for hiking during adverse weather conditions in rough, remote terrain.
B. Off-Highway vehicle (OHV) Management
Duties: Individual will monitor heavily used areas for illegal establishment of new routes, posting signs, counting visitor numbers, and making public contact with users in the Emmett, Middleton, Parma areas, Weiser Dunes, Little Gem Cycle Park, Boise Front, Birds of Prey, and the Owyhee Front.
Qualifications: Individual must have a driver’s license and enjoy the outdoors.
C. Route Marking, Oregon Trail/Goodales Cutoff
Duties: Individual will place carsonite route marker signs along the historic trails between Glenns Ferry and Boise.
Qualifications: Individual must have a driver’s license and enjoy being outdoors.
D. Monitoring and Condition Assessment Recreation Sites
Duties: Individual will take visitor counts and make visitor contacts in the Steck Recreation Site, Bonneville Point, and Payette River sites for Four Rivers Field Office and Jump Creek, Hemingway Butte, Fossil Creek, Silver City, and the North Fork sites for the Owyhee Field Office.
Qualifications: Individual must have a driver’s license and enjoy working with people.
BLM REQUESTS FOR PLF VOLUNTEERS:
1. Jarbidge, Idaho (see http://www.blm.gov/rmp/id/jarbidge/) and Richard_Vandervoet@blm.gov The Jarbidge FO is in the middle of a major data collection effort under the terms of a District Court Ordered Stipulated Settlement Agreement. This data will feed into an RMP/EIS scheduled for completion by September 2009. Because of the court ordered time line on the RMP, we pretty much need to collect all supporting data this field season. Our field season does normally extend into the late fall, and in some areas throughout the winter. We would be interested in volunteers who could participate in any of the following: Ecological Site Inventory - We are revisiting 640 site write-up areas from an ESI performed in the early 1980's. This is one of the few, if not only, times that BLM has repeated an Ecological Site Inventory. Theresults will play an important part in analyzing grazing impacts and setting stocking levels in the RMP. This effort is also being closely tracked, or colaberatively managed, in that the Plaintiffs (Western Watersheds Project) and Interveners (livestock permittees) from the District Court lawsuit are both actively involved in the protocols and data quality control. Our biggest need would be immediate assistance with data collection. However, we will have lots of data compilation and data analysis to do over the winter. Special Status Species - We have over 70 different species, both plant and animal, where we are collecting prioritized habitat and population information. While most of the plants will be completed soon, we could use assistance with the animals, including small mammal and reptile trapping arrays, habitat condition assessments and data analysis. We will also be working on some winter survey work for big game, pygmy rabbits and sage grouse. Riparian - We are updating our data so that all proper function condition assessments are no older than five years, with an emphasis on tributaries to bull trout habitat. Standard Range Monitoring - We have 28 allotments, totalling just under a half million acres, that require specific monitoring and annual grazing plans under the Stipulated Agreement. Most of these involve winter grazing. Wild Horse Herd Management Area characterization. We will be reviewing population levels and a variety of alternatives for managing the HMA in the RMP and do not have a wild horse specialist on staff. Because all the above projects are already underway, we could integrate any interested PLF volunteers immediately. We can provide field camp accommodations, or hotel accommodations in Twin Falls as well as any travel and per diem expenses that can be authorized under a standard volunteer agreement. However, most of the Field Office's land area is distant from Twin Falls and very remote. You can find some basic information about the RMP and Field Office at: http://www.blm.gov/rmp/id/jarbidge/ We will be hosting a Legacy Project this fall, so there may be a tie for some PLF members who will be invited to participate in that effort. Rick VanderVoet Field Manager Jarbidge Field Office 2536 Kimberly Road Twin Falls, ID 83301-7975 208.736.2380
2. Elko, Nevada (see Karl_Scheetz@nv.blm.gov) Uplands - Our primary work in monitoring upland areas over the next few years is collecting data on utilization at established key areas, use patterns, browse form class and condition, and vegetative cover. These data will be used in our assessments associated with fully processing all livestock grazing permit renewals by the end of 2009. The methods we are currently employing to collect utilization and use pattern data are the key forage plant method and the height to weight method. We use the cole browse and extensive browse methods to get data on browse use and conditions. We use the line intercept method to collect veg. cover data. All of these methods are in our technical references. In addition, we would also like help selecting reference/comparison areas for a variety of upland ecological sites in our district and collect baseline data from those sites. The reference areas would exhibit desirable conditions. Data from these sites would then be used to assess progress towards and attainment of our standards for rangeland health as well as be used in updating the ecological site descriptions in coordination with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). We would also use them to inform and educate our own personnel, permittees, and the interested public during on-the-ground tours and as slide show or powerpoint presentations. This work requires considerable knowledge and experience with upland ecological sites and the NRCS site write-ups. Riparian Areas - We could also use assistance in collecting stream survey data, as well as proper functioning condition assessments on both streams and springs. For those that aren't familiar with the monitoring/assessment methods, or would like a refresher, we would be glad to provide whatever guidance is needed. Thanks for getting the word out.
3. Prineville, Oregon (see Christina_M_Welch@or.blm.gov) We have several rangeland health assessments to finish before October that are along the John Day River, and in the High Desert area and which desperately need wildlife support to finish. We have a great wildlife biologist who just accepted a promotion in Arizona and so many of these assessments currently do not have wildlife input. They are in varying states of completion, and so I am looking for a journey-level wildlife biologist familiar with the Central Oregon area, preferable familiar with the rangeland health assessment process, who is willing to work with a team. We can provide transportation, great fellow workers, beautiful country, and anything else I can legally provide! If you are aware of anybody who might be interested in this opportunity, I'd love to have their contact information! Thanks for any help you may be able to provide. Tina Welch, Central Oregon Resource Area Manager 541-416-6731
4. Tucson, Arizona (see Karen_Simms@blm.gov) The Tucson Field Office of BLM would be interested in utilizing PLF volunteers to assist with monitoring. Some of our potential projects would be upland range monitoring, riparian monitoring (PFC, woody species density transects, wet/dry monitoring) and recreation monitoring. Please let me know if you need additional information, or if there are any steps we need to take to move forward on this at this time. Thanks so much, Karen Karen Simms Community Planner, Las Cienegas National Conservation Area Tucson Field Office Bureau of Land Management 12661 E. Broadway Tucson, Arizona 85748 (520)258-7210
5. Battle Mountain, Nevada (see Doug_Furtado@nv.blm.gov) I am the Assistant Field Manager for Renewable Resources for the Battle Mountain Field Office. I am in receipt of the Washington Office IM transmitting the new MOU between BLM and PLF promoting the use of PLF members as volunteers for the collection of data. We here in Battle Mountain, are in the process of collecting monitoring and inventory data that will be used in the preparation of rangeland health standards evaluations over the next 3 to 4 years. I am interested in soliciting the assistance of the PLF in conducting upland monitoring studies that include vegetation production, nested frequency, line intercept cover, and utilization. This work would be done in remote and sometimes challenging terrain thus requiring some walking and off road driving. I am encouraged by the possibilities of having one time, now retired BLM specialists come back and help us out. Given our current and projected budget limitations, I think this is a good way to go.Please give me a call if you would like to discuss the details further. Thank you.Doug Furtado Assistant Field Manager Renewable Resources Battle Mountain Field Office 775-635-4056
6. Lake Havasu, Arizona (see Kirk_Koch@blm.gov) We are on the threshold of completing a Resource Management Plan that outlines significant futures in OHV, route designation, health of the land assessments, riparian and aquatic monitoring, abandoned mine land inventory etc. If you know of any potential PLF individuals/groups interested in helping gather, catalog or analyse data of that type or others, please steer them my way. Best of luck & keep up the good work. Kirk Koch phone - 928-505-1237 fax - 928-505-1208.
For more volunteering opportunities go to: