Landscape Conservation Cooperatives

1. Landscape Conservation Cooperatives National Tribal Forum June 16, 2011 Stephen Zylstra USFWS – Pacific Region

3. Major Climate Change Effects Weather patterns (wetter/drier) Snow pack decrease Water cycles (early spring, temp increase) Wildfires more frequent and intense Range shifts in ecosystems/habitats Invasive species outbreaks Sea level rise (habitat loss, flooding) Ocean acidification

4. PNW Temperature Changes Temperature +0.5°F per decade in 21st Century; twice the rate in the 20th Century +2°F by 2020 +3.2°F by 2040 +5.3°F by 2080

5. Climate Change and Fire • 1987-2003 • seven times more forested land burned • four times more large fires • By 2050s • wildfires could increase 50% • greatest increases in PNW (75-175%)

6. Sea Level Rise – PNW Sea level increase of 27 inches by 2100 (IPCC), the following will be lost: • 65% estuarine beaches • 44% tidal flats • 25% tidal fresh marshes • 11% inland swamps • 52% brackish marsh Source: 2007 NWF report

7. Climate Change -Tribal Needs Increased access to expertise and scientific research/data Increased monitoring of climate change indicators on Reservations Participation in the development of initiatives regarding climate change

8. DOI Secretarial Order (September 14, 2009) Directs DOI Bureaus: work together to address climate impacts analyze climate change impacts in major decisions Department of Interior approach: Climate Response Council Regional Climate Science Centers (8) Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (22)

9. Science-based approach Convene partners Jointly address large-scale natural resource management needs Landscape Conservation Cooperatives

10. LCC Concepts • Science partnerships • Federal/State/Provincial agencies, Tribes, NGOs, Universities • Existing partnerships • Steering Committee (with working sub-committees) • LCC Staff • Shared science capacity • Science, technology, data management • Leverage funding and expertise • Link science with managers’ needs

11. LCC Process Science Capacity Steering Committee scientists/researchers from CSC, agencies, universities, NGOs Executive level representatives Resource Managers Field/regional level scientists and planners from agencies, tribes, NGOs

12. Framework for Collaboration • Capitalize on existing partnerships, strategies/plans: • British Columbia Action Plan • FWS Climate Change Strategic Plan • USFS Regional Climate Change Strategic Framework • BLM EcoRegional Assessments • NOAA Spatial Planning Initiative • State Wildlife Action Plans/others • Joint Venture Implementation Plans • NGO Conservation Plans (e.g., TNC)

13. What will LCCs Do? • Identify and address information needs • Facilitate better understanding of ecosystem responses to changes • Inform partner’s landscape-scale conservation and management decisions • Forum for sharing resources • Enhance communication, effectiveness and efficiency 13

14. Potential LCC Outcomes Down-scaling of climate change models to local area Potential for range shifts of native and invasive species Vulnerability assessments for species and habitats Convergence of climate and non-non-climate stressors Inventory and monitoring strategies Data and information sharing!

15. LCC Geographic Framework • 22 LCCs • 17 initiated

16. Pacific Region LCCs Great Northern North Pacific Great Basin Pacific Islands

17. Yvette Converse (yvette_converse@fws.gov)

18. GNLCC Steering Committee • Members • USFWS, NPS, BLM, USGS, USFS, NRCS • MT, WY, ID, WA, OR • Umatilla, Salish-Kootenai, Yakama, Nez Perce • Alberta Sustainable Resource Development • British Columbia Ministry of Environment • IWJV, IGBC, CBFC, HRI

19. GNLCC Accomplishments Nearly $2 million toward projects in 2010 and 2011 Hired staff: LCC Coordinator 2 Science Coordinators Spatial Analyst/Data Manager Communications Specialist

21. North Pacific LCC Several ecosystems and habitats Coastal areas - seabirds and shorebirds Near-shore marine areas - marine mammals, Pacific salmon, lamprey and shellfish Forested areas - rich biodiversity, including ancient trees and rare species

22. North Pacific LCC Extends over 2,200 miles from north to south Approx. 204,000 sq. miles Steering Committee includes: USFWS, BIA, USGS, BLM, USFS, NOAA, NRCS, EPA AK, WA, OR, CA and BC govt. 15 tribes invited (Tulalip, Yurok, Samish)

23. NPLCC Accomplishments Hired LCC Coordinator and Science Manager First Steering Committee meeting (May 2011) Funded 8 projects for $630K

25. Great Basin LCC High altitude deserts, sage steppe, juniper-pine and riparian systems Pronghorn, elk, sage grouse, migratory birds, native cutthroat trout, sculpin BLM coordinating start up Steering Committee assembled

26. GBLCC Actions Great Basin workshop (2011) Hiring LCC Coordinator Developing science priorities Obtain project funding

27. Greatest conservation challenge in history Requires collaboration across landscapes and among all organizations Engagement is critical ! Summary http://www.fws.gov/pacific/Climatechange/lcc.html

28. Stephen Zylstra Assistant Regional Director – Science Applications 503-231-2069 or stephen_zylstra@fws.gov Pat Gonzales-Rogers USFWS Tribal Liaison 503-231-6123 Contact Information