NWPRP Data Call 2B announcement 3_15_21

NWPRP Data Call 2B work flow_3_20_21

NWPRP Treatment cost list_3_15_21

NWPRP Whitebark Pine Best Management Practices outline_version 3_15_21

DC2B Template_6.16.21

The information requested for Data Call 2B: Target Deadline April 1, 2022

1. Proposed restoration action(s) for each nominated polygon or combined set of polygons.
See attachment, Restoration and Management Treatments for Whitebark Pine
Communities.
2. Estimated implementation costs for restoration actions and monitoring by polygon or
combined set of polygons. See attachment Whitebark Pine Treatment Pricing List.
3. General outline of combined monitoring and adaptive management protocols for each
type of restoration treatment. See attachment for a workflow process and also see
Restoration and Management Treatments for Whitebark Pine Communities.

Support information for Data Call 2B includes (1) Restoration and Management Treatments for
Whitebark Pine Communities, an overview of restoration management practices for whitebark
pine, including a synopsis of best practices for monitoring and adaptive management; and (2)
Whitebark Pine Treatment Pricing List, a restoration action price list, with some regional variation,
and (3) Recommended Work-flow Steps for Responding to Data Call 2B, which is a suggested

step-by-step process for responding to Data Call 2B and devising a monitoring and adaptive
management strategy for each type of restoration treatment planned.
For technical questions or support for Data Call 2B, please contact Julee Shamhart at
[email protected] or 406-925-9545, or Diana Tomback at
[email protected]

Rationale for Data Call 2B

Data call 2A required submission of nominated core areas representing 20 to 30% of whitebark
pine distribution within an administrative unit, criteria for nomination, and health status for each
nominated polygon. The definition and scale of the administrative unit varied among agencies.
In addition, nominated polygons also differed in size and scale by agencies.

We require information on the costs of restoration for nominated core areas so that agencies may
plan and implement restoration and leverage funding opportunities and partnerships. American
Forests is currently helping facilitate this effort by fund-raising through corporate partnerships and
as a working partner in the Global Trillion Tree Campaign.

We anticipate that proposed restoration projects will begin as soon as feasible, with most
jurisdictions completing their proposed treatment plans within a 10-to-15-year timeframe. For
those jurisdictions that have a relatively larger portion of whitebark pine’s distribution, the
timeframe may be somewhat longer.

As restoration treatments are planned, a monitoring and adaptive management component for
each restoration project is critically important, and the development of a statistically sound
monitoring plan and its implementation should be included in the pricing of each project. For each
project, clear objectives articulating measurable expectations of treatment are required in order
to assess the effectiveness of treatment outcome over time. Most restoration treatments require
an assessment of both treatment implementation and outcome. A detailed plan for each project
is impractical at this stage, but we would like a general plan described for the different treatments
to be implemented. Well-designed monitoring is essential not only to determine whether project
objectives were met, partly met, or not met, but also to provide clarity as to the reason. This
information enables managers to improve treatments and align them better to specific community
characteristics for future work, which is the adaptive management component.

The National Whitebark Pine Restoration Plan subscribes to adaptive management. This
approach is relevant to both core area nominations and treatment practices. As more information
is learned about whitebark pine distribution, health, and ecological status in different management
jurisdictions, we expect that core area nominations and restoration plans will be updated over
time by jurisdictions. We view the information that we request from you as a starting point in the
process, so that we may begin the hard work of on-the-ground restoration without delay.

Some considerations for responding to Data Call 2B

• If neighboring polygons share similar whitebark pine community and health attributes, they
  may be considered together for Data Call 2B. Polygons vary considerably in size and
  number among agencies. If you combine polygons— that is, consider multiple polygons together with respect to treatments—you must let us know the specific identifiers for each group of polygons so we can track their identity from information you submitted for Data
  Call 2A.
• We strongly support the designation and screening of “plus trees” to identify genetic blister
  rust resistance in whitebark pine in geographic regions where more of this work is needed
  or in areas where little work to date has been undertaken. The goal is to provide adequate
  genetic diversity among seed sources for seedling planting or seed sowing.
• More than one restoration action may be planned per polygon or group of polygons. For
  example, there may be seedling planting in a recent burn as well as silvicultural thinning
  or prescribed burning within a given set of polygons. There may also be plus tree
  identification and screening. Each of these actions requires its own monitoring and
  adaptive management strategy.

Thank you for your support

The National Whitebark Pine Restoration Plan is moving towards completion. We recognize the
critical role of all liaisons and their agencies and tribal governments to the ultimate success of this
effort. We are grateful for your support and dedication to restoring whitebark pine and look forward
to receiving your contributions to Data Call 2B.