Conversion of Degraded Grasslands on the Cannery Hill Unit

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This project is a partnership between the Service and the Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) to convert degraded grasslands on the Cannery Hill Unit of Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) from non-native pasture grasses to native coastal grasses and forbs with an emphasis on the species and structure required to support the federally listed threatened Oregon silverspot butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta). IAE will develop and guide implementation of a scientifically sound restoration, management and monitoring plan that results in restoration of coastal prairie at Nestucca Bay NWR while minimizing both up-front and long-term restoration costs. IAE will provide labor, contracts, technical expertise, and oversight to ensure accomplishment of all activities under this project. This project will benefit the public by restoring a habitat type that is currently rare and declining, and by providing suitable habitat for a potential experimental release of a threatened species which could contribute to its recovery.

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