CalTrout News
On February 9th-12th, 2016 California Trout, with support from partners, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation and the CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife organized the second Sierra Meadows Workshop at Mayacamas Ranch in Calistoga, California. Over the three days, there were approximately 70 workshop attendees representing more than 20 different State and Federal, non-profit environmental, academic and private consulting agencies.
The purpose of the workshop was to continue to build a broader meadows partnership with a focus on (1) how restoration affects greenhouse gas dynamics and the potential for developing “carbon credits” and (2) development of a Sierra Meadow Strategy and Prioritization Framework necessary to increase the pace and scale of meadow restoration in the greater Sierra.
The first day’s discussions and presentations focused on updates on the research being done to quantify the potential carbon sequestration of restored meadow systems as well as a proposed road map towards carbon accreditation. Days two and three were dedicated to continuing work on a proposed Sierra Strategy and Prioritization document to provide a conservation and restoration framework for practitioners, land-managers, funders and policy-makers. To view the workshop agenda and minutes, [wpfilebase tag=fileurl id=583 linktext=’click here’ /].
Outcomes of the workshop include (1) an understanding of current projects involving GHG research in combination with restoration, (2) the process of and barriers to payment for ecosystem services in meadows, (3) direction for completion of the Strategy and Prioritization document and (4) the decision to move efforts forward as the Sierra Meadows Partnership.
The workshop was very supportive in continuing and increasing momentum for meadow restoration in the Sierra along with the strengthening of an ongoing partnership. Click here to learn more about CalTrout’s Sierra Headwaters Keystone Initiative and the efforts to restore Sierra meadows.
