BLM-(Arizona), BLM Arizona Native Plant Materials for Pollinators_ Gardens_ Education ASO

Description of Program and/or Project a. Background: BLM recognizes the importance of vegetation management and pollinator species. Over the past few decades, there has been an alarming loss of pollinators which affects the sustainability of food production and supply. In June of 2014, the President issued a Presidential Memorandum Creating a Federal Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators directing the Federal Government to use its research, land management, education, and public/private partnership capacities to broadly advance honey bee and other pollinator health and habitat. BLMs mission is to protect/ maintain/enhance and restore diverse vegetation communities across the landscape on public lands and seeks partner with the same mission. b. Objectives: The BLM seeks the opportunity to work with local communities, businesses, organizations, and local, state, and federal agencies that live, work and benefit in Arizona State for the purpose of: 1. To conserve natural resources 2. To conserve native species diversity and richness 3. To improve wildlife habitat 4. To increase landscape resiliency 5. To increase pollinator populations 6. To connect with local communities to the environment through partnerships, education, outreach, support, and restoration activities. Seed Collections: Increasing seed collections from native plants will be an effort to increase the supply of seeds for conservation and restoration. Wildlife habitats including pollinators are dependent on native plant species for survival. Seed Propagation and Research: Using collected native plant seeds for propagation to increase native plant materials for projects, restoration and research will establish a supply of native plant materials, maintain local genetic of native plants, and develop protocols for various native plant species. Habitat Restoration: Working with communities to establish partnerships and identifying areas that need restoration and habitat enhancement are a key to ecosystem resilience and integrity. Maintaining a healthy diverse ecosystem will sustain and provide ecosystem services, economies, and habitat for wildlife. Education: Developments of school partnerships and with communities are key component for knowledge and awareness of native plants and pollinators. Establishing interpretive pollinators gardens are a benefit to pollinators and can be used to education schools and the public.