Seed Technology Course 5 year plan.docx

Request for Quote (Date)

I. General

The Bureau of Land Management National Training Center (BLM NTC or NTC) has identified the need to develop an arid lands restoration, seed technology, and rehabilitation training program to improve the outcomes of on-the-ground restoration projects.

This Statement of Work (SOW) addresses the development of these two courses, one of which will be a computer-based introductory course discussing the principles to arid lands restoration. The second course is expected to be a classroom instructor-led or blended course (mix of instructor and computer-based instruction) that focuses on the specific workflow, data collection, and monitoring requirements of restoration projects. The project includes the development of lesson plans, instructional materials and aids intended to enhance and support both the on-line and in-class experience.

The design team, consisting of the contractor, BLM staff, and other invited subject matter experts, will develop the curricula for two ecological restoration classes: a basic and a more advanced course. The basic course will introduce ecological restoration principles and concepts. The more advanced course will focus on plant species from landscapes/ecosystems that are typical of BLM lands (e.g. arid lands restoration) and seed issues pertinent to sourcing and development of seed supplies for ecological restoration.

II. Description of Work Develop instructional training classes, materials, reference materials and supplementary handouts in support of two restoration ecology courses. Course description and deliverables are identified below:

Year 1:

A. Computer-based (on-line) basic Introduction to Seed Technology and Tools for Use in Arid Lands Restoration

1. The expectations are to create a computer-based training class using a compilation of videos, PowerPoints, webinars and video conferencing in a step-wise cohesive manner to meet the goals and objectives of the course (to be supplied by BLM at the design meeting). All aspects of this class will be recorded and provided to BLM in a digital format suitable for uploading into DOI Talent (this may require the purchase of a Claro license) or use of other widely available platform, specifications to be provided by BLM to allow for viewing by BLM employees, partners, and the public.

2. Handouts and supporting documentation, including websites, links, publications, citations, or other media used or referenced will be supplied to BLM NTC in digital format. Any videos or recorded video conferencing need to be close-captioned and include an accompanying transcript to ensure the course is 508 compliant. Handouts, will be made digitally available to BLM and students prior to viewing the associated videos or engaging in video conferencing.

As the content is completed, the contractor will submit it to the design team for content review, revision, or acceptance, and to ensure acceptable computer-based performance. Acceptance of or revisions to course materials and content will be made based on written feedback from the Project Manager. Content will be decided at the design team meeting. Once one-half of the project is accepted by the project manager, partial payment can be made.

B. Suggested content to Introduction to Seed Technology and Tools for use in Arid Lands Restoration course:

1. A one-day (up to 8 hours) basic course, Introduction to Seed Technology and Tools for Use in Arid Lands Restoration, will include, at a minimum, the following content:

· Overview of BLM National Seed Strategy and other policy

· Accomplishments to date

· Ecological restoration principles, standards and concepts;

· arid and semi-arid land restoration

· status of current knowledge

· International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration

· International principles and standards for native seeds in restoration

· scope and affecting factors

· Annotated bibliography of available resources

· compile available publications

· Tools available to assist in restoration projects

· seed zones

· climate

· seed selection

· revegetation

· Risk assessment models

· Basic development of a revegetation plan Additional content may be identified during the design team meeting.

The required deliverable is the computer-based introductory training course and any associated instructional material, handouts, exercises, case studies, or scenarios in appropriate digital format, to accompany or emphasize the material covered in the computer-based training.

This class will serve as pre-requisite viewing for the more advanced course.

Years 2-5:

B. Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration

The contractor will secure enough vehicles to transport students and instructors from the classroom to the various field sites and return. The contractor will ensure that vehicle drivers have valid driver’s licenses and are free of illegal or intoxicating substances while engaged in class related outings. Comment by Young, Lori G: See above comment The initial presentation of the advanced-level course will be delivered as a pilot (beta tested) class with selected BLM personnel, BLM partners and/or other invited participants. Revisions to course materials and content will be made based on written feedback from the Program Manager. The combined course curricula will meet the criteria to obtain continuing education credits for the Society for Ecological Restoration Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioners.

The contractor will supply digital content pertaining to each module taught in the class, The digital content should clearly define and describe restoration concepts and supplement accompanying instructional material, class exercises, and activities. The digital content should be based on the detailed course outline provided by BLM to the Contractor and incorporate material from the class presentations, which may include PowerPoint handouts, exercises, or reference material. The Contractor will develop the content to clearly define and describe restoration ecology concepts, and develop demonstrations, scenarios or case studies, and activities relevant to the content. An electronic glossary and references used in the course will be provided. The text must be easy to read with appropriate spacing between lines and without spelling errors. Any graphics, photographs, or videos should be of high quality and high resolution and should enhance and supplement the course content.

At least three months prior to delivery of the pilot class, the contractor will provide a sample of the digital material to be used in class to the design team for approval. The design team will have five business days to provide comments to the project manager. The project manager will report to the contractor in writing, within two business days of receiving comments of any necessary modifications.

Course content will be reviewed annually by BLM, and revised as necessary by the Contractor, to incorporate the most updated material prior to delivery of the next course.

As a deliverable, the Contractor will supply BLM acceptable digital media with the final files and any associated websites, links, documents, maps, photographs, videos, or other media used for instruction, exercises/case studies, or activities.

Instructional material files in Word or pdf format will be supplied as a deliverable. All videos used in the presentation of course materials must be close-captioned and a transcript in Word format provided to the BLM.

The contractor will develop lesson plans associated with each module. Lesson plans will provide course content, placement and explanation of exercises, large/small group activities, and a step-by-step explanation or description of module contents.

Official logos: BLM will provide any logos or identification information to the Contractor by BLM. The Contractor may re-size but will not alter the BLM logo.

All working files and materials become property of the U.S. Government.

Other technical specifications as agreed on by the BLM and the Contractor as appropriate.

Year 3:

Deliver and present the Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration course with the same deliverables as identified in year 2, unless it is mutually determined and agreed that modifications to the contract are needed.

Year 4:

In addition to delivering and presenting, the Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration course with the same deliverables as identified in year 3, unless it is mutually determined and agreed that modifications to the contract are needed

Year 5:

In addition to delivering and presenting, the Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration course with the same deliverables as identified in year 4, unless it is mutually determined and agreed that modifications to the contract are needed;

Review on-line Introduction to Seed Technology and Tools for Use in Arid Lands Restoration and update if needed.

III. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED INFORMATION

The BLM will provide the following information to the Contractor:

A. Course goals and structure, learning objectives, and a detailed content outline (Attachment 1).

B. Compatible digital format for video/audio files (may require the purchase of a Claro license) C. BLM logos D. Project Manager will provide written feedback to Contractor for module revisions to course materials and content or acceptance of module material.

E. BLM will maintain the roster of participants enrolled in the class, which will be shared with the contractor within one month of the course and updated as needed.

IV. CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS

The Contractor will need to show competence and successful implementation of restoration ecology principles and applications, as well as course and instructional material development. At least two locations and examples of verifiable restoration projects (may be in-progress) must be provided to demonstrate knowledge of the identified principles.

Contractor should also have functional knowledge of the BLM National Plant Strategy for Rehabilitation and Restoration.

V. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Most work will be completed at the Contractor’s place of business or locations suitable to achieve production of the desired deliverables such as restoration project/field locations, state or federal agency offices or non-governmental organization, Seed Warehouses, laboratories, etc..

Exceptions to this section are identified in Section VI. Travel.

VI. TRAVEL

Travel to the following sites may be necessary to fulfill the terms of the contract, unless it is determined that meetings may be attended virtually:

· Travel to the National Training Center in Phoenix, AZ or other mutually acceptable location, to attend an initial design meeting, expected to last approximately 5 business days. Course outline, on-line module presentation, objectives, format (including, exercises and activities), and expectations will be defined during this meeting.

· An additional design meeting may be required for the instructor-led course development, lasting approximately 5 business days. Course outline, modules, objectives, format (including, exercises, case studies and activities), and expectations will be defined during this meeting

· Travel to the pilot class (and future) to be determined class locations. Travel to present advanced pilot class would be expected to last 4-5 days, depending upon course length.

· Travel to field sites related to material preparation of class materials or to create a virtual field trip/preparation of case studies if that is determined to be the most effective method of presenting the material.

· Travel to state and or federal agency offices, non-governmental organizations, partner organizations or other offices to obtain information pertinent to the preparation of class materials

VII. PERFORMANCE PERIOD

Deliver and present computer-based instructional materials for the basic level Introduction to Seed Technology and Tools for Use in Arid Lands Restoration course by September 30, 202119. In the event that the introductory course is completed prior to September 30, 202119, work may begin on the design of Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration

Deliver and present instructor led Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration course by September 30, 20230. Provide course materials, vehicles and drivers for class field trip. Review and update course content as needed, annually.

Obtain rights, access, host, update, maintain and provide public access to Restoration Equipment Catalog by September 30, 2021.

VIII. DESIGN MEETING

Prior to commencing work, the Contractor will meet with BLM’s Representative(s) to review scope and discuss Contractor’s understanding of the scope of work and timelines.

If time permits, this meeting will also serve as the design meeting for the advanced-level class. Otherwise, an additional design meeting will be required to initiate design of the advanced-level class.

IX. DELIVERABLES

The Contractor will provide the following instructional materials/aids:

Year 1:

1. Attend design meeting with BLM at NTC or other agreed upon location, or by video conferencing.

2. An approximately 8-hour computer-based introductory training course that functions on DOI platform or other widely available platform. (May require the purchase of a Claro license)

3. Any associated instructional material, handouts, exercises or scenarios to accompany or emphasize the material covered in each lesson of the computer-based training.

4. Digital audio, video files in appropriate digital format for uploading to DOI/ BLM website.

5. Closed captioning of videos used or created and accompanying transcript of video to ensure the course is 508 compliant.

6. Handouts and supporting documentation, including websites, publications, citations or other media used or referenced supplied to BLM NTC in digital format.

7. Supply modules to BLM as completed and revise as provided in written feedback.

Year 2:

1. Attend design meeting with BLM at NTC, other agreed upon location, or virtually, if necessary.

2. Complete and deliver instructor-led, Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration. Provide lesson plans to describe module content, placement of exercises, as described in Section II, Description of Work.

3. Provide instructional material to BLM in appropriate digital format, as described in Section II, Description of Work.

4. Supply sufficient number of vehicles and drivers for class field trip to accommodate all class participants and instructors, unless it is determined the field trip can be conducted virtually.

5. Provide closed-captioning of any videos used or created and accompanying transcript of video(s) to ensure the course is 508 compliant.

6. Annually review course content and revise as necessary to incorporate updated material prior to the next course delivery.

Year 3:

In addition to the deliverables identified in Year 1-3 unless there are mutually agreed upon reasons to modify the contract, the Contractor will review the on-line Introduction to Seed Technology and Tools for Use in Arid Lands Restoration course and update if necessary.

In addition to the deliverables identified in Year 2, unless there are mutually agreed upon reasons to modify the contract, the Contractor will work with administrators at Texas A&M University to obtain the rights to transfer, access, host, update, maintain and provide public access to Restoration Equipment Catalog.

Year 4:

Deliverables will be the same as identified in Year 3, unless there are mutually agreed upon reasons to modify the contract. The Contractor will continue to host, update, maintain and provide public access to the Restoration Equipment Catalog

Year 5:

In addition to the deliverables identified in Year 4, unless there are mutually agreed upon reasons to modify the contract, the Contractor will review the on-line Introduction to Arid Lands Restoration course and update if necessary.

X. PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Payments will be made only after the BLM accepts the products on the following schedule, in accordance with Section IX, Deliverables.

Year 1:

1. Initial design meeting, general outline, number of modules, format determined - 30% payment

2. Fifty percent of the on-line modules are completed, revised as needed, functions on BLM or other widely used platform (may require the purchase of a Claro license), is accepted by the project manager, - 40% payment

3. Completed course and associated informational files delivered - 30% payment

Year 2:

1. Attend the initial pre-work meeting as described under Section VIII – 30% payment

2. Submit each module for review and approval by the project manager; payment will be made once 50% of the modules (determined at design meeting) are completed, reviewed and accepted in writing by the project manager. If any modules are computer-based, they must be compatible with BLM systems (may require the purchase of a Claro license) – 30% payment

3. Provide BLM with digitally acceptable media (MS Office products, pdf, etc) 30%

4. Final payment will be made after completion of the course. 10% payment

Year 3:

1. Review and update course materials for the Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration based on written feedback from course reviews provided by the project manager. 20% payment

2. Evaluate existing content for relevancy and update as needed; 20% payment

3. Provide maintenance consisting of checking links quarterly to ensure functionality and removing or replacing any links that are no longer functional or accurate; 20% payment after verification of working links

4. Check and update vendor existence and contact information twice annually. 20% payment after first update.

5. Final payment will be made once functionality of website is verified. 20% payment

Year 4

1. Review and update course materials for the Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration based on written feedback from course reviews provided by the project manager. 20% payment

2. Evaluate existing chapters for relevancy and update as needed; 20% payment

3. Provide maintenance consisting of checking links quarterly to ensure functionality and removing or replacing any links that are no longer functional or accurate; 20% payment after verification of working links

4. Check and update vendor existence and contact information twice annually. 20% payment after first update.

5. Final payment will be made once continued functionality of website is verified. 20% payment

Year 5

1. Review and update course materials for the Advanced Seed Technology and Arid Lands Ecological Restoration based on written feedback from course reviews provided by the project manager. 20% payment

2. Review on-line Introduction to Restoration Ecology and update, if needed. 20% payment

3. Evaluate existing chapters for relevancy and update as needed; 10% payment

4. Provide maintenance consisting of checking links quarterly to ensure functionality and removing or replacing any links that are no longer functional or accurate; 20% payment after verification of working links

5. Check and update vendor existence and contact information twice annually. 20% payment after first update.

6. Final payment will be made once continued functionality of website is verified. 10% payment

XI. POINTS OF CONTACT

Mark Hesse Contracting Officer BLM National Training Center 9828 North 31st Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85051

(602) 906-5563 mhesse@blm.gov

Lori Young Training Coordinator/Project Manager BLM National Training Center 9828 North 31st Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85051

(602) 906-5640 lyoung@blm.gov

Attachment 1:

Training Course: Advanced Arid Lands Ecological Restoration and Rehabilitation

Contract Overview:

The contractor will design a training course on holistic arid land restoration and rehabilitation based on accepted standard practices and technical applications for repair of disturbance types common in arid and semiarid lands of the western United States.

The course will include:

1. Independent pre-work (one day): Ecological restoration and rehabilitation principles, concepts, and standards

2. Classroom training utilizing a variety of teaching approaches and activities (two days):

· Introduction to arid land restoration and rehabilitation

· Project planning

· Implementation

· Monitoring

· Management

3. Field application (one day):

· Visit multiple restoration and rehabilitation field sites

· Discuss all phases of each project with the project managers, including follow-up restoration or rehabilitation treatments, ongoing management, and monitoring results

· Provide estimates of progress using project goals and the recovery wheel provided in the International Standards for Ecological Restoration as guides. Advance modification of the recovery wheel to develop specific metrics for the sub-attributes of each of the six attributes focusing on arid land recovery may be required. Include socio-economic attributes (ecosystem goods and services)

4. Development of a project plan (post-course completion assignment)

· Following course completion, each participant will develop a project plan utilizing course content as a guide.

· Plans will be written for actual or potential restoration or rehabilitation scenarios related to the participant’s work or area of interest.

· Completed plans will be reviewed by two or more of the instructors or other experts and discussed through consultation with the participant

A course outline, sample module, and recommended composition of the instructor cadre is provided below:

1. Curriculum Outline

A. Pre-work: Overview of ecological restoration (one day) Approximately one day of independent study will precede the in-person training course. Assignments in this module include:

· Introduction or review of ecological restoration principles, standards and concepts

· Arid and semi-arid land restoration – global need, scope and affecting factors, status of current knowledge

· Begin development of a revegetation plan based on an actual or potential project for which the participant has some responsibility or interest.

Instructional tools can include the following, among others:

· Webinars, pertinent review publications (e.g. the SER International Standards for the Practice of Ecological Restoration)

· Lists of links to useful online tools and databases for arid lands restoration

· Selected case studies

· Sample revegetation plans

B. Classroom training B1. Introduction to Arid Land Restoration and Rehabilitation

· Discussion of principles, standards and concepts of arid and semi-arid land restoration and rehabilitation. Use of recovery attributes to guide plan development, implementation, and assessment

· Emphasize holistic approach, goal development and integration of stakeholders and disciplines.

· Discuss the schedule for development of the individual’s revegetation plan

B2. Planning

· Preliminary work:

· Define goals and objectives (wildlife habitat restoration, Rights-of-Way, stabilization/revegetation, mining reclamation, invasive species management, etc.)

· Overview of policy and guidance

· FLPMA, NEPA, 1740, 6840, ESA

· Engaging and developing Interdisciplinary teams

· Some examples of how restoration/vegetation planning often happens in BLM field offices

· Transmission line revegetation projects

· Abandoned mine land reclamation projects

· Wildlife Habitat Restoration projects

· Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation

· Identify cooperators, stakeholders, potential for volunteer assistance, timelines, and resources

· Analyze landscape scale processes and potential for control or reduction of disturbance factors

· Consider continuity of land ownership, treatment applications, and management

· Field assessment of disturbance (baseline data): climate, soils, vegetation, pollinators, wildlife, prior management (site disturbance legacy), other key factors (stability, habitat, etc.)

· Identify treatment/revegetation areas

· Identify reference sites for each treatment area: create a reference model based on examination of comparable disturbances in various stages of recovery (trajectories, species, soil conditions, etc.), undisturbed sites, and pertinent databases

· Define the target ecosystem based on its attributes (desired future condition), goals and objectives (these are longer- and shorter-term intermediate benchmarks)

· Develop treatment prescriptions

· Protect and enhance natural recovery processes - outline plans for site management through treatment and recovery (protect healthy communities, weed and herbivory management, recreation, maximize carbon sequestration, reduce fragmentation, provide for improved gene flow)

· Treatments responsive to natural processes and protect potential for natural and assisted recovery

· Identify treatments to stabilize site conditions (consider stability, hydrology, erosion control products for wind and water erosion)

· Treatments to improve water capture, storage and infiltration

· Select plant species

· Develop potential plant species list based on project goals (site stabilization vs. rehabilitation and restoration), reference area reconnaissance and other resources including local knowledge and experience – consider successional status, plant attributes, desired community structure and function, planned land use, pollinators, ecological resilience etc.

· Plan to maximize genetic diversity and provide for adaptation to site conditions – consider seed sourcing/seed zones

· Select plant materials (use of seed, seedlings, vegetative material, salvaged plants) and quantities required based on species, site conditions, timeline and budget

· Select seeding/planting/water harvesting strategies and equipment appropriate for arid and semi-arid landscapes

· Include control areas

· Develop revegetation plan

· Include all material discussed above

· Include contract specifications, schedule, budget, safety, timeline, delegation of responsibilities, internal communication and ongoing communication with stakeholders

· Discuss several diverse revegetation plans designed for arid and semi-arid land systems

B3. Implementation

· Introduction

· Discussion of BLM Plant Conservation Restoration Program including Seeds of Success and and Ecoregional Programs

· General seed procurement options and tools (BLM Regional Seed Warehouse System)

· Managing seed inventory and distribution

· Communicating with collaborators, contractors and stakeholders

· Implementing treatments responsibly and without causing further damage

· Develop implementation guides

· Soils and site treatments (site preparation procedures, herbicide application, topsoil and microorganism considerations, inoculants, stabilization, water management)

· Plant materials

· Seed Transfer Zone Guidance

· Climate change in relation to local adaptation Effect of mismatched seed source and site (What can happen if seed source and site don’t match)

· What seed transfer zones are and how they are developed

· On-line tools

· Seeds

· Collection and procurement (needs assessment, sourcing, genetic diversity, collection, permitting, certification, seed increase)

· Seed cleaning and quality assessments (purity requirements, testing, certification)

· Seed storage (duration, general guidelines, short-lived species)

· Dormancy and Germination – pretreatments, planting window

· Nursery stock

· Propagation from seed or cuttings

· Selection of stock types and sizes

· Seed and plant deployment

· Seeding

· Seeding equipment

· Designing and composing seed mixes

· Seeding strategies (seeding dates, rates, depths, forb islands, accommodation of species with different competitive abilities, growth rates, growth habits)

· Planting seedlings

· Seeding and planting combinations (consider growth rates, time frames, terrain)

· Water catchment

· Salvaged soil use

· Post-planting management – plant protection methods and equipment

· Herbivory

· Irrigation

· Shading –Shade cards, tree shelters, brush spreading, mulches

B4. Monitoring

· Developing a monitoring plan

· Discuss goals of plan

· Considerations when developing the plan (e.g. identify progress relative to attribute recovery, modify treatments or management, inform stakeholders)

· Procedures for each type of monitoring (e.g. soil, vegetation, pollinators)

· Establishment and use of photo points, and use of other technologies (SamplePoint http://samplepoint.org/)

· Report preparation B5. Management

· Prevent degradation, continued comparison with appropriate reference

· Management must be adaptive, integration of climate tools to inform timing of restoration actions

· Hydrology/erosion/water availability

· Weed management

· Herbivory – wildlife or livestock

· Fire

C. Site visits (field tour – 1 day)

Visit one or more field sites – disturbances, reference areas, restoration, or rehabilitation sites

· Discuss each site with local managers relative to planning, implementation, monitoring and management as appropriate

· Equipment demonstrations and calibration (if feasible)

· Practice evaluating the degree of recovery based progress of system attributes along the restorative continuum described in the Society for Environmental Restoration International Standards for Ecological Restoration (absence of threats, physical conditions, species composition, structural diversity, ecosystem functionality, external linkages, and social economic attributes (ecosystem goods and service).

D. Completion of individual revegetation plan The plan will be submitted to the instructors within one month of course completion. Instructors will provide comments and review a first revision.

2. Sample Module Developing and managing native seed supplies for seeding and planting

Objective: Assess seed needs and develop a plan and timeline for obtaining, managing ,and deploying adapted, high quality seed and seeding mixes appropriate for site conditions and planting goals.

Introduction The success of restoration projects is often constrained by short timelines, limited seed availability, highly variable and often poor seed quality, maladaptation of seed to site conditions, inappropriate storage practices, and resulting low rates of seedling emergence and survival in the field. It is imperative that practitioners begin incorporating seed need assessments, sourcing, acquisition and management into their planning at the earliest stages.

Goal The module will enable participants to prepare detailed plans and timelines for obtaining high quality, genetically appropriate seed for seeding and planting projects.

Content Seed collection and procurement: Generating an appropriate and adequate supply of native seeds or seedlings Include guidelines for:

· Seed needs planning and preparation of timelines – taxa, quantities, populations, locations, availability

· Selection of appropriate seed sources and provenancing to ensure genetic diversity (this was discussed in an earlier section, but will be briefly reiterated here)

· Fundamentals behind seed collection and handling of each species: monitoring phenology, field estimates of seed quality, when and how to collect to obtain maximum seed quality and genetic diversity, duration of collection window, post-harvest seed lot management, potential PLS/cleaned/bulk ratios

· Wildland seed certification – AOSCA pre-variety germplasm certification program: timeline, steps and data required

· Agricultural seed production considerations: location, selection of growers, maintaining genetic diversity, agricultural seed certification status and maintenance (generation, years in production)

· Overview of seed procurement models: advantages and disadvantages of each

Seed cleaning and quality assessment: Making the most of native plant seed collections Seed cleaning:

· Discuss general principles of seed cleaning

· Determination of material and structures that must be removed from seed lots based on species and projected seed use

· Time/cost factors based on seed type (size, shape, appendages) and purity requirements

Seed testing:

· Briefly mention AOSA and state and private seed laboratory system ad what the BLM Regional Seed Warehouse Requirements are for national seed buys

· Describe general procedures for germination, viability, purity, noxious weed, and 1000 seed weight tests including time and quantity of seed required for each

· Discuss application of test results to assess seed quality when purchasing seed or writing seed mix prescriptions

· Review seed test label content

Certification:

· Continue discussion of the importance of tracking seed origin from collection through deployment

· Discuss and provide examples of certification tags for Source-identified and Select seed

· Describe use of certification data when acquiring seed and selecting seed for deployment

Seed storage: Maintaining seed viability and vigor

· Discuss seed longevity variation among arid land species and provide examples

· Describe general protocols for short- and long-term seed storage and basic seed drying methodology

· Explain use of hygrometers to monitor equilibrium relative humidity of stored seed

· Discuss specific protocols developed for problematic, short-lived species (e.g. sagebrush)

Dormancy and germination: Making every seed count in restoration

· Provide an overview of seed dormancy types

· Discuss dormancy alleviation techniques that can be applied for nursery production of seedlings or at scale for restoration projects, including planting date recommendations

· Progress with seed enhancement techniques (pelleting, coating): what do we know?

Supplementary material:

Provide a list of pertinent databases, websites, webinars, and review publications, including the INSR International Seed Standards and other documents for each of the above topics. Focus on arid land species as possible.

3. Instructor Cadre – Recommended qualifications

A. Experienced arid land restorationist.

Example 1: An extension specialist with sound knowledge of ecological restoration principles, standards and concepts and research and operational scale experience in arid land restoration.

Module participation: All.

Example 2: An experienced practitioner with an academic background in restoration ecology and extensive practical knowledge and experience in arid land restoration techniques and equipment.

Module participation: All.

B. Native plant geneticist/native plant program manager Example 1: Academic or practitioner with academic background in genecology and current approaches to seed sourcing and deployment incorporating climate change considerations, maintenance of genetic diversity. Operational scale practical experience would be desirable.

Module participation: All.

C. Seed technologist/plant materials specialist Example: Academic or practitioner with an academic background in seed technology, nursery propagation, seed germination, seedling establishment, seed increase and a thorough understanding of seed testing and certification. Candidates include seed testing or certification specialists, researchers in seedling production, PMC personnel.

Module participation: Planning, Implementation – contribute to all segments pertaining to seed and seedling acquisition, management, seed testing and certification, pretreatments, deployment, and monitoring.

D. Plant ecologist Example: Academic or practitioner with a strong background in botany and arid land ecology.

Module participation: Planning, monitoring, management, particularly important for selecting and examining reference areas recovering from similar disturbances and species selection

E. Soil scientist Example: Academic or practitioner with a strong background in soil science.

Module participation: Planning, implementation, monitoring, management

F. Environmental specialists Examples: Soil scientist, fire ecologist, pollinator specialist, wildlife biologist. Selection may vary depending upon disturbance types to be emphasized in the course and field sites visited.

Module participation: All.