As I look around the environmental mitigation landscape recently, I see many new proposals for mitigation programs that deem to provide mitigation options "faster, cheaper, better" than current agency approved mitigation and conservation banks.
 Alternative mitigation efforts under the name of "advanced mitigation programs," recovery credit trading program, special conservation areas, and public infrastructure revolving funds, all claim that they will streamline the mitigation process, increase collaboration and be cheaper than current mitigation alternatives. Unfortunately, many of these systems only promise more and deliver less. For example, the Washington Post recently article on the recovery credit trading program at Fort Hood, Texas, highlighted the lack of permanent protections associated with the millions of public dollars sent on the program. In other efforts, many resource hours and dollars, often in the millions, are spent sitting around a table discussing how to perform mitigation without actually implementing anything and only coming up with suggestions to lower environmental standards.
 Travis Hemmen of the WES staff, recently told me that "efforts that dilute mitigation standards of today will simply become the poster child of "why mitigation doesn't work" of tomorrow." That is a perception that will only result in more skepticism related to ecological restoration and slow efforts on well planned economic growth.
 At Westervelt Ecological Services we will continue to promote high standards of mitigation that meet all of the agency requirements in a cost effective manner. This allows us to uphold the ecological standards of the regulatory agencies while providing mitigation to clients in a timely and cost-effective manner. Improving how we do business is always a goal, but the "get more for less" approach is best suited for a low-cost commodity item - not the long-term quality we seek in ecological mitigation.

Committed to the long-term,

Craig Denisoff
Vice President, Sales and Marketing

IN THIS ISSUE

Broadscapes: Our Role In The Mitigation Banking Industry

Mainstays: Associate Spotlight

Horizons: WES On The Road

Broadscapes: Our Role In The Mitigation Banking Industry

Pensacola Bay Mitigation Bank

 The restoration of plant and animal habitat - mostly wetlands, pine flatwoods, and native prairie - on 1205 acres in Santa Rosa County, Florida, has been underway for nearly two years, and now Pensacola Bay Mitigation Bank (PBMB) has been approved by agencies with the first issue of wetlands credits now available.
 Contiguous to the Florida Forever Acquisition Area called Garcon Ecosystem Preserve, PBMB's location on The Garcon Peninsula contains some of the best pitcher plant prairies remaining in Florida; the Florida Forever Garcon Ecosystem project is charged with protecting and expanding these prairies. The carnivorous white-topped pitcher plant, a state endangered plant species is located and protected within the mitigation bank. PBMB contributes 15% of the proposed 7735-acre Garcon Ecosystem Preserve.

 The service area for the Pensacola Bay Mitigation Bank includes a portion of three watersheds in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. The vast majority of PBMB's service area is constituted by the Pensacola Bay watershed, as this is where the property is physically located. Small portions of the Escambia watershed (north of Pensacola and west of Milton) and the Blackwater River watershed (which includes Milton) complete the overall service area.
 Prescribed burning to restore longleaf pine habitat has produced viable wiregrass seed, which was collected in November. Wind conditions prevented collection by machine, so the seed was collected by hand. Approximately 100 lbs. of seed was collected, thanks to funding by NWFMD, and though modest income could be recognized from the sell of seed, we're most excited about using on-site genotypes as part of our upcoming groundcover restoration. If this seeds are viable, the amount collected could easily produce a few hundred thousand tubelings for restoration efforts on Garcon Point.

Mainstays: Associate Spotlight

John P. McGuire

 Entrenched in conservation issues in the Southeastern United States for the past 15 years, WES associate John P. McGuire has directed his academic and professional experience to merge the gap between ecology and forestry.
 As Senior Project Manager for our Southeast office in Auburn, Alabama, he specializes in the restoration and management of southern pine forests, including issues related to prescribed burning, sustainable forestry practices, managing habitat for federally listed wildlife species and other issues necessary for the successful management of conservation and mitigation banks.
 Prior to joining WES, John ran the outreach program for the Longleaf Alliance, a grassroots forest conservation organization housed at Auburn University in Alabama. He was previously involved in forest restoration research at the Jones Ecological Research Center and Silver Lake Experiment Forest (both in South Georgia).
 A native of Washington, McGuire received bachelor degrees in Environmental Science, Biology and Zoology from Washington State University. He received his master's in Forestry from Auburn University.
 John's passion for conservation is evidenced by his volunteer participation with several associations, including the Alabama Firetower Association, National Mitigation Banking Association, Callaway Gardens, Southeastern Research Company, both Alabama and Georgia chapters of Nature Conservancy, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.
He is a Certified Ecologist with the Ecological Society of America, a Prescribed Burn Manager in Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida, a Certified Herbicide Applicator in Alabama, and Advanced Master Tree Farmer, and a NWCG Type II Wildland Firefighter.

Annual Survey

 Each year Westervelt Ecological Services asks our business contacts to participate in a survey, the results of which guide our ongoing business planning and allow us to make adaptive decisions.
 Because we realize responding to surveys takes time (another reason we try to keep our survey below 20 questions), and because we value our relationships, we offer an incentive for participation. A framed Basil Ede print from the "Wild Birds of America" collection is awarded to a randomly-selected participant. This year's winner wishes to remain anonymous, but selected "California Quail," pictured here, which will soon adorn a wall in the home or office.
 The results for 2009 suggest we are on the right track, and for this we are thankful. But do know the door isn't open just once a year. Your feedback is encouraged anytime. The contact page on our website provides information for each of our offices. Let us know what you think.
 For more information on Basil Ede prints, visit www.basiledeprints.com.

Taylor Elementary School

 As we mentioned last July in our inaugural issue of "Landscapes," WES had the opportunity to assist Taylor Street Elementary School in Sacramento through our organization's community outreach program.
 We were humbled when Ms. Marsical's class dedicated their book project to Westervelt Ecological Services. The hardbound book, "A Friend," is a collaborative classroom project that tells the story of three sixth-grade girls and focuses on the topic of bullying. Each student participated in writing the narrative and producing the accompanying illustrations.
 Learning is a value embraced by our organization and we are honored to have been recognized in the dedication. Click on the image to see a few pages from the book.

Horizons: Upcoming Projects

On The Road

 The WES Staff will be participating in many mitigation banking industry events over the next six months. We enjoy the opportunity to connect with our friends and colleagues, and thought we'd share our calendar in case you're going to be nearby.

Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
April 1, 2010
Biodiversity Banking Seminar

Travis Hemmen will be hosting a mitigation presentation featuring noted environmental lawyer Peggy Strand in Washington, D.C., in April. (Details to follow soon.)

National Mitigation Banking Conference
May 3-6, 2010

  • Greg Sutter and Craig Denisoff are teaching Primer 101 on mitigation and conservation banking, a 4-hour training.
  • Craig Denisoff will present "Surviving the Recession."
  • Charles "Hal" Holland is also making a presentation.

National Interagency Regulatory Team Training
June 21
National Training Center
West Virginia

CLE Wetlands Conference
June 10-11
Wetlands in California
Craig Denisoff: "Mitigation Banking Under the New Rule"
Sacramento, CA

 Look for the next issue of "Landscapes" in May, 2010.