Meeting Abstract

64.5  Sunday, Jan. 6  Cross-sector Connectivity: Understanding and eradicating exotic plants by leveraging science, education, government, and non-profit sectors TALLEY, D.M.*; FISLER, S.; SF Bay NERR/SFSU; Aquatic Adventures Science Education Foundation dtalley@sfsu.edu

Ecologists have become increasingly aware of the importance of having a pluralistic view of the world in order to better understand and conserve ecosystems. Thus, there is an increased acknowledgment of the importance of including other fields of science (interdisciplinary studies), increasing the spatial extent of attention (landscape ecology and habitat connectivity), and including land managers in science and restoration (adaptive management). In this talk we will focus on how expanding this pluralistic view to include educators, government, and NGOs can yield impressive results to seemingly intractable conservation problems. The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve�s location at the base of a binational watershed, exemplifies the need and utility of cross-sector research and conservation. A designated UNESCO World Heritage site, this unique ecosystem is impacted by activities occurring on both sides of the U.S. � Mexico border. Here we will present the results of restoration research that includes a large-scale study of an invasive tree (Tamarix spp.), and a habitat-restoration and education event. This project demonstrates multiple benefits including increased understanding of restoration impacts, increased base of community and governmental support, and enhanced ecological function. This integrative form of research strengthens conservation outcomes and is important across both the community and natural landscape.