02-1: Land Management Presentation — original pdf

Backup

Land Management DEGRADED LANDS Most natural areas have been degraded by ~150 years of fragmentation, overgrazing, cultivation, cutting, changes in species composition and hydrology, interruption of natural processes, and general neglect. Most have not been managed for ecosystem health and are vulnerable to extreme heat, drought, disease, and ultimately intense wildfire. 2019 WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS AUDIT Found that APR does not have the capacity to manage parkland natural areas and address wildfire risk. LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM AND PLAN APR developed a land management plan to guide the restoration of natural areas to improve climate resilience and reduce wildfire risk and a program to implement it. austintexas.gov/LMP Walter E. Long Metro Park September 4, 2023 LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM MISSION Restore parkland natural areas to mitigate risk and provide vital ecosystem services to Austin residents in perpetuity. WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE? • Veg communities that are resilient to climate stressors • Primarily “timber” or “grass” fuel models = low prob of crown fire • High-reliability work groups • Public-private coordination and cooperation STRATEGY • • (long-term) Active ecological restoration (short term) Hazard fuel reduction GOALS • 500-1,000 acres of restoration and fuel • mitigation treatments per year Take action* on all lands in the land management plan by 2040 *This may mean no action in some places if no action is needed, but that should be an affirmative decision supported by thorough analysis, not a passive default. Onion Creek Wildlife Sanctuary RESTORATION ACTIVITIES Selective thinning and invasive species removal Targeted removal of small trees, brush, and invasive species to improve forest health, climate resilience, and park user safety Fuel mitigation Removal of hazard fuels to reduce wildfire intensity Prescribed fire Important land management and wildfire mitigation tool. austintexas.gov/parkrxfire Planting and seeding Improves climate resilience 4 ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2020-2025 • Council-approved land management plan for 10,348 acres of natural area • 1,900+ acres (3 square miles) of restoration and fuel mitigation treatment in 32 parks • Engaged in a unified fashion to create joint work plans with numerous volunteer groups • Art + Restoration: Audio Wild, Really Small Museum Highlight: Restoring 50+ acres of remnant Blackland Prairie – the only remaining in Travis County. An almost- extirpated vegetation community of global significance. 5 HOW DO THEY DO IT? 4 FTEs with expertise in ecological restoration, wildland fire, forest ecology, research and monitoring, and project management. Contractors Other APR programs: Forestry, Safety, PARKnerships, Communications and Public Engagement, Finance and Contracts, executive staff Cooperative agreements: Austin Fire Department, Austin Water, The Nature Conservancy, Travis County Parks, US Fish and Wildlife Service, UT Wildflower Center Other Entities: Watershed Protection Dept, Travis County Fire Marshall’s Office, Travis County ESDs, Austin Parks Foundation Community organizations - too many to name Highlights: Friends of Red Bluff, Blunn Creek Partnership HIGHLIGHT: AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION PRESCRIBED FIRE CREW 12 staff from Land Management, Forestry, Safety, and Watershed Protection All qualified through the National Wildfire Coordinating Group All have or are working on advanced wildland fire qualifications All fill leadership roles on prescribed burns All are volunteering to do more work - and some of the most difficult work… For no extra pay. 7 Land Management