# Presentation: 283359

## NRCS PM Program 	 

- Developing effective plant solutions to complex problems since 1934

## Ecosystem based testing

## Assembly and Release

- Release options
- Cultivar
- Tested
- Selected
- Source Identified
- Germplasm

## Success of Program

- 613 Total plant releases
- 347 Cultivars
- 14 Tested
- 109 Selected
- 85 Source Identified
- 12 Germplasm
- 46 “informal” releases
- 			AND
- 420 Native to US
- 36 Naturalized selections
- 157 Introduced

## Success....and some problems

- 613 Total plant Releases
- 46 species (8%) noted as having potentially invasive characteristics
- 13 species (2%) listed by some states as invasive and banned from importation
- PMC’s worked with several species not yet listed but of local concern

## What is PM program doing Today!

- PMC’s placed increased emphasis on development of plants native to specific US ecosystems
- Discontinued production of many introduced species
- Revising agency recommendations
- Conducting studies to find solutions to invasive species
- Increased scrutiny and of all plants for potentially invasive characteristics and completes a 4 part environmental evaluation on all plants considered for release

## PM 4 part plant release Environmental Evaluation  

**Part 1:  Impact on Habitats, Ecosystems, and Land Use**
*	**Assesses the ability of the species or release to adversely affect habitats, ecosystems, and agricultural areas.*
**Part 2.  Ease of Management**
*	**Evaluates the degree of management which might be needed to control the species or release if it becomes a problem, or eradicate the species or release if it is no longer desirable.*

## PM 4 part plant release Environmental Evaluation

**Part 3.  Conservation Need and Plant Use**
*	**Evaluates the importance of the species or release to meet a conservation need. *
***Part 4.  Biological Characteristics***
*	**Evaluates the biological properties which indicate the natural ability of the species or release to propagate and maintain itself under natural conditions.  *

## What is PM program doing today –some specifics!

- Evaluation of different strategies to suppress or reduce non-native plants.
- Burn regimes to reduce invasive species in GA
- Determining strategy to suppress North Africa Grass in WA
- Evaluating integrated approaches to control of leafy spurge in ND
- Evaluating use of Lana Vetch to control medushead in CA
- Evaluating techniques to establish natives in Arundo Donax stands in CA
- Serving on state invasive plant commissions and groups.
- Hosting and participating in workshops to educate the public
- Invasive Species Workshop in ND 2005

## What is PM program doing today –some specifics!

- Evaluating native species to replace invasive species
- Prairie Cordgrass replacement for Reed Canarygrass in NE
- Spike Dropseed replacement for Lehmanns lovegrass in SW

## Increasing availability of native plants

## What is PM program doing today –some specifics!

- Evaluating re-establishment of natives into established weed stands.
- SECO Barley as aid in controlling Yellow Starthistle in AZ
- Determining most effective technique to re-establish natives in Reed Canarygrass stands in WA
- Management strategies to establish and maintain natives in cheatgrass/medusahead infested range in ID
- Arenchyma root study to help in establishing warm season grasses in NY to replace Reed Canarygrass
- Riparian restoration technologies in NM
- Seeking plants to compete with invasives
- Evaluation of native western grasses to compete with Reed Canarygrass in OR
- Developing informational  guides (Tech Notes, brochures, etc.) to help end users
- Getting Started in Prairie Revegetation
- Guidelines for planning Riparian Restoration in the SW

## What is PM program doing today –some specifics!

- Revisiting decades old test sites and working to eradicate any non natives still present.

**Sweet Resinbush**
- 1930-40’s Arizona test site

## THANKS

- Jim Briggs
- West Plant Materials Specialist
- 503-273-2427
- Jim.Briggs@por.usda.gov