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Rare plant conservation initiative: saving Colorado's wildflowers

Date

2014-09

Authors

Panjabi, Susan Spackman, speaker
Anderson, David, moderator
International Wildlife Ranching Symposium, producer

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Abstract

The Colorado Rare Plant Conservation Initiative (RPCI) is a diverse partnership of public agencies, private organizations and academic institutions. The overall goal of the RPCI is to conserve Colorado's most imperiled native plants (122 plant species at significant risk of extinction) and their habitats through collaborative partnerships for the preservation of our natural heritage and the benefit of future generations. This partnership has produced a strategy for Colorado's imperiled plants and their habitats that represents a collective vision for plant conservation in Colorado, emphasizing a proactive approach to ensure the long-term stewardship and viability of Colorado's rarest plants. The strategy identifies six objectives for the next ten years: 1) secure on-the-ground, site-specific habitat protection, 2) minimize the impacts of specific land uses, 3) improve scientific understanding through inventory, research and monitoring, 4) develop and implement a state program and polices, 5) facilitate stewardship through education and outreach, and 6) adopt measures for off-site conservation. The implementation of this strategy is supporting a systematic and meaningful advance in plant conservation in Colorado, with the aim of avoiding the need for federal listings. The efforts of RPCI, including Conservation Action Planning workshops, legislative initiatives, research projects, and the development of Best Management Practices, have already led to significant progress for rare plant conservation in Colorado with respect to policy, on-the-ground action, and awareness of rare plants. The strategy has become a model for collaborative plant conservation, and this approach is now being implemented and expanded to other states and internationally.

Description

Moderator: David Anderson.
Presented at the 8th international congress for wildlife and livelihoods on private and communal lands: livestock, tourism, and spirit, that was held on September 7-12, 2014 in Estes Park, Colorado.

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Subject

Wildlife management -- Congresses
Range management -- Congresses

Citation

Associated Publications