Woodlands Conservancy

THE WOODLANDS MANAGEMENT AND RECREATIONAL ENHANCEMENT PROJECT INCLUDES A COMBINATION OF HABITAT MANAGEMENT AND RECREATIONAL RESOURCE ENHANCEMENT AND MANAGEMENT WITHIN WOODLANDS PRESERVE IN PLAQUEMINES PARISH LOUISIANA. THE PROJECT HAS SEVERAL OBJECTIVES INCLUDING HABITAT MANAGEMENT TO RESTORE THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF TARGET BLH HABITATS AND IMPROVE HABITAT SERVICES OVER TIME AND RECREATIONAL ENHANCEMENTS AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TO INCREASE PASSIVE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AT WOODLANDS PRESERVE. WOODLANDS CONSERVANCY WILL PROVIDE LAND MANAGEMENT FOR THIS PROJECT USING STANDARD FORESTRY MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO ENHANCE OVERALL FOREST STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT WILL BE INFORMED BY MONITORING IMPACTS OF MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES ON THE PRESENCE AND DISTRIBUTION OF INVASIVE NUISANCE SPECIES AND THE GROWTH AND HEALTH OF TREE PLANTINGS AS THEY RELATE TO OVERALL FOREST STAND DEVELOPMENT AS REQUIRED TO MEET THE OVERALL PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND GOALS.

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $219,766 TO THE WOODLANDS CONSERVANCY. THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS TO ENHANCE LAND PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION IN PRIORITY LANDSCAPES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO. THIS PROJECT WILL RESTORE HABITAT THROUGH THE REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES AND THE REPLANTING OF NATIVE SPECIES ALONG WITH MONITORING TO ASSESS CHANGES IN HABITAT. EXPECTED OUTCOMES ARE 840 ACRES TREATED FOR INVASIVE SPECIES, 20 ACRES RESTORED WITH 4,000 NATIVE PLANTS, AND A STUDENT AND PUBLIC OUTREACH AND LEARNING PROGRAM. INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES NEAR THE WOODLANDS CONSERVANCY AND THE BARATARIA BASIN IN SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM ENHANCED LAND PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION. THE RECIPIENT DOES NOT INTEND TO SUB-AWARD FUNDS.

NEW WILDLIFE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION AGREEMENT WITH WOODLANDS CONSERVANCY.