Rrea Program

<p>NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: <br/>Iowa is an agriculturally intensive state but has over 3.0 million acres of woodland (USFS FIA), 2.7 million acres of permanent range/pasture (USDA, NASS), and 2.0 million acres of CRP (USDA,NASS), primarily under private ownership. The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (NREM) Extension faculty provide educational programs to landowners and agency personnel in assessing and managing renewable resources for efficient utilization and marketing of renewable resources. Forests have significant impacts on Iowa's agricultural-based economy, including water quality, critical wildlife habitat, recreation and specialized agroforestry enterprises. Central U.S. forests and rangeland/pastures support a variety of animal production and wildlife enterprises that are part of the integrated fabric of Iowa's agriculture. Cross-cutting issues
such as woody biomass production directly for fuel or for the cellulosic ethanol industry are one aspect of the Extension program. Cross-cutting Extension education programs address agroforestry and food safety issues for Iowa; maple sugar, ginseng, and Christmas tree Extension education provide landowners with materials, workshops, and conferences that support these and other enterprises. Forests and rangeland/pastures/prairie habitats are integral to supporting Iowa's fish and wildlife resources. Providing an Extension education program for Iowa's landowners and land managers emphasizes sustainable management practices for biomass, food crops and timber production. Educational programs focus on sustainable management of forest and rangeland/prairies that offer a variety of ecosystem services.
<p>APPROACH: <br/>Woodland acres and permanent range/pasturelands are contributions to an agriculturally intensive state but these resources are threatened by invasive species; land fragmentation; parcelization; and climate variability that causes tree injury and stress to plants and wildlife. The RREA Strategic Plan 2012-2016 recognizes the significant changes that affect renewable natural resource Extension programming. Iowa's Extension education programs are research-based and stakeholder driven programs critical to achieving long-term, sustainable, and renewable resource management. 1. Materials target enhancing renewable resource management and include a range of basic programs from identification of trees, plants, invasive plant species, and basic biology to advanced programs. Extension education program delivery includes interactive webinars, internet conferences,
and social media. Both woodlands and range/pasturelands are primarily in private hands. Landowners often lack the knowledge and skills to properly manage woodlands and grasslands in order to meet their objectives, such as recreational purposes, wood production, wildlife and fisheries, water quality enhancement, or grazing. This project seeks to provide an integrated program to landowners by identifying issues and concerns including invasive species and natural resource stewardship. The educational needs of the landowners will be met through a variety of approaches including face-to-face workshops, publications, field days, and short-courses. Electronic training will be received through updated and enhanced interactive websites, e-mail, and formal specialized programs. The program will include partnerships with the IDNR and other appropriate agencies. This combination provides multiple
learning styles to the benefit of our citizens. 2. Invasive plant and animal species can displace native species reducing a landowner's profitability and increasing costs. Identification of desired and invasive plant and wildlife species can result in landowner's ability to inventory and assess their resources and take responsibility for management. The NatureMapping program is an educational, service program based on the citizen-science concept to inventory flora and fauna. The citizen-science effort gives us a valuable source of data to track these species, but also gives the citizens a feeling of ownership for the woodland resource and encourages more active involvement in management. 3. Organized advanced educational programs offer intensive training opportunities with a service component. These programs are expected to have a greater impact on changing or implementing new practices.
The Master Conservationist Program involves collaborations with NE, MO, MN and KS and a Master Naturalist program which will link stewardship programs that focus on practices for invasive species and forest stewardship. Stakeholders receive information through a variety of field days, conferences, publications, and web resources. The Extension educational program is committed to developing and strengthening partnerships with state and federal agencies, NGSs and private businesses to increase the impact of educational programs.