Heartland Network Natural Resource Monitoring Program

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Heartland Network Natural Resource Monitoring
Program
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Cultural and Natural Significance of Heartland
Network Parks

• Protecting the Habitat of Our Heritage
• Free Flowing Rivers and Streams
• Presidents
• Deciduous Forests
• Civil War battlefields
• Prairies and Savannas
• Native Americans
• Wetlands
• Westward Expansion

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Natural Resource Management History in NPS

• 1930s, George Wright supports first faunal
  inventories
• 1940s, war reduces NPS natural resource staff
• 1956 66. Mission 66 develops visitor services
  to accommodate record visitation
• 1970s present, NPS takes responsibility for
  managing ecosystems
• 1993, NPS science staff transferred to National
  Biological Survey
• 1999, Natural Resource Challenge

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Natural Resource Management History in NPS
State of the Parks Report (circa 2000)

• 80 parks with no natural resource manager
• 84 parks with 1 or 2 professionals
• Crisis mode of operation
• Science/data and management disconnect
• Parks unable to state natural resource goals

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Natural Resource Challenge
Revitalize and expand the natural resource
program within the park service and improve park
management through greater reliance on scientific
knowledge
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Natural Resource Challenge Components

• Inventories
• Vital Signs Monitoring
• Collaboration
• Resource Planning
• Parks for Science
• Fully Professional Staff
• Non-native species
• Native and Endangered Species
• Environmental Stewardship
• Air Quality
• Water Resources
• Research Learning Centers

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Overview of Vital Signs Monitoring
Looking at systems on an ecological scale
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Purpose of Monitoring

• Determine the status/trends in the condition of
  park resources

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IM Networks
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Heartland Network
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Vital Signs Monitoring
To track indicators of overall health of the parks
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Vital Signs Monitoring 3 Characteristics

• Long-term, ecological monitoring perspective
• Integration and coordination among parks,
  programs and agencies
• Emphasis on Information Management

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Network Structure

• Board of Directors
• Superintendents assigned to the BOD on a rotating
  basis
• Technical Committee
• One representative from each member park

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Monitoring for use by Park Managers

• Inventory and monitoring are critical for
  cost effective, accountable resource management
  informed by scientific information.

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Management Needs for Monitoring Information
Natural and Cultural Landscape Restoration
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Management Needs for Monitoring Information
Recreation, Health and Safety
Effects of Prescribed Fire
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Management Needs for Monitoring Information
Grazing and Bison Management
Invasive Exotic Plant Management
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Connecting with Non-Scientists
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Connecting through Communicating
Plan provides the importance and methods of
communication. Matrix A treasure trove of
product designs, costs, sources for materials and
services, and Interpretive Competency
information. DVDs Containing templates and one
with radio message and video clip.

• People will only protect what they love, love
  what they understand, and understand what they
  are taught. (Senegalese saying)

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Example of Matrix Entry
Interpretive Service or Product Bird Checklist Interpretive Service or Product Bird Checklist
Target Audience External Target Audience External
Purpose/Need Purpose/Need
Critical Natural Resource Issue Bird species especially those that are Threatened and Endangered and/or monitored by the HTLN
Human Dimension Component Birding is a popular, non-consumptive experiential activity in which people observe and study a number of species located in an area. Bird species are most often threatened by habitat loss caused by development. Birders could be engaged in the monitoring process by encouraging them to report observations of birds that HTLN is monitoring observation and study of species could be used to engage them in the monitoring process by encouraging them to report birds that the HTLN is monitoring to park staff or directly to HTLN via email.
Goals Objectives Goal Increase awareness of the bird species within the Heartland, those that are threatened and endangered, and how the HTLN conducts monitoring activities to understand changes in the bird populations. Disseminate checklists through visitor center displays and an online version. Recipients will develop an appreciation for the diversity of bird species within the HTLN. Recipients will be concerned about the wellbeing of native bird species.
Product Summary Information Product Summary Information
Description /Summary (including duration) A tri-fold brochure listing a variety of bird species found in the area. Birds monitored by the HTLN will be highlighted in some manner (e.g., italics, bolded). The brochure will provide an explanation of how these birds are monitored and contain a message about the purpose of monitoring these species. Contact information will be included to guide the reader to more information about the HTLN and its inventory and monitoring activities.
Message/Theme HTLN is inventorying and monitoring the health of the bird species throughout the network. Theme Protecting our feathered friends by teaming sound science and management.
Making Connections Bird species have been a subject of awe for many cultures throughout the world. Images of birds can be found on everything from stamps to wine labels to currency. The bird shows up in mythology and story telling in many religions and is often associated with mysticism and magic.
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DVD with audio, video, and publications for all
HTLN parks
To familiarize stakeholders, partners and the
public with NPS monitoring activities
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Examples Materials for staff communication
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Examples Materials for visitor communication
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Banners to Loan

• Double banner is one-sided panels
• Single banners are double-sided panels

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Please Become Part of the Effort

• Read The Weather Vane
• Communication Plan and DVDs
• Create new materials or project ideas
• Borrow or request materials
• Accompany Heartland staff into the field