Conservation Study Forum Meeting

Reconciliation Ecology

The Science of inventing, establishing and maintaining new habitats to conserve species diversity in places where people live, work and play.

This I see as the over-arching concept. It might apply to the landscaping around a commercial business in town, but also to a national park or wilderness area. As Rosenzweig points out, there is now virtually no place on earth that has not been affected by human activity. We may have to be active in parks and wilderness areas as climate change, invasive species and other human impacts take their toll.

Restoration Ecology 

Restoring damaged or destroyed ecosystems. 
Local examples would be Picture Canyon or the Rio de Flag.

Reservation Ecology

Preserving areas that have robust existing biodiversity. 
This applies to areas such as Walnut Canyon, Buffalo Park and the nature preserves at the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Adaptive Restoration Ecology

Identifying and planting genotypes of native plants that have been selected for their ability to grow in the new conditions anticipated with climate change. 
Work on this is being done at the Merriam Powell Center for Environmental Research at NAU, and Stefan Sommer is our contact.

Promoting Reconciliation Ecology in the Flagstaff Climate Action and Adaptation Plan will increase biodiversity, promote adaptability, reduce water and energy consumption due to irrigation, educate the public about ecology and enhance the quality to life for Flagstaff residents as they experience an increasingly interesting and beautiful natural environment within the City.

John Taylor of TerraBirds has created examples of Reconciliation Ecology at the Exhibits Building at the Museum of Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon Trust, among other places.

Partners in an effort to develop a plan to add Reconciliation Ecology to the City's plan could include:

City of Flagstaff 
Conservation Study Forum 
TerraBirds 
Native Plant Society 
Society of Ecological Restoration 
Habitat Harmony 
Citizens Climate Lobby 
Museum of Northern Arizona 
Springs Stewardship Institute 
Flagstaff Arboretum 
Merriam Powell Center for Environmental Research 
Morning Dew Landscaping 
San Francisco Peaks Weed Management Area

I'm forwarding you an invitation to a Conservation Study Forum meeting next Thursday 5/17 at 1:00 PM that will continue our work to get the Reconciliation Ecology concept into the Flagstaff Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (see the 2nd email below for more explanation). I think the more community members and organizations the better when it comes to promoting native plants and biodiversity, first in creating this community Plan and then in making it a reality. Please come if you can, send a representative if you can't, and invite others who you think could contribute.

Please let me know if you're coming so we can be sure we have adequate seating.

The location is the conference room next to City Council Chambers.
Sat Best

699-3483