Central Valley Habitat Exchange A Voluntary Program Creating
New Financial Returns for Landowners RCD Conference November 13,
2014 Photo: Jacob Katz
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EDFs Vision Reverse habitat loss Incentivize outcomes/create
profit Increase amount and effectiveness of restoration Better
EROI
Slide 3
Habitat Exchanges in Development LEGEND Compliance
Pre-Compliance Voluntary 3. Upper Green River Conservation Exchange
4. Colorado Habitat Exchange 2. Central Valley Habitat Exchange 5.
Lesser Prairie Chicken Habitat Exchange 1. Mokelumne Environmental
Benefits Program 6. NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program 7. Nevada
Conservation Credit System
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Problem: Net loss of habitat annually (despite $20 billion in
spending) Problem: Net loss of habitat each year despite
mitigation, public & private investment Net loss Habitat lost
to development Mitigated through banking Mitigated through non-
banking actions Farm Bill & regional programs 0 -500,000
Private non- mitigation Functional-Acres Numeric values are rough
estimates for illustration only Public land mgt Fddfdfdfdfdfdfdf
dfdfdfdfdfdfdf
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Vision: Performance based investment Vision: Performance based
investment for mitigation, public & private investment Net Gain
Habitat lost to development Mitigated through banking Mitigated
through non- banking actions Farm Bill & regional programs 0
-300,000 Private philanthropy 10,000,00 0 Functional- Acres Numeric
values are rough estimates for illustration only Improvement Over
Status Quo Status Quo Net Loss Public land mgt Fddfdfdfdfdfdfdf
dfdfdfdfdfdfdf
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6 Need: Significant Conservation & Mitigation Demand
Projected in CA ~1.4 million acres over next 20 yrs. Coachella
Valley Multispecies HCP
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Exchange Goal Framework for effective habitat conservation in
the Central Valley that: Actively engages farmers and ranchers, on
a voluntary basis, Contributes to fulfillment of state conservation
goals and mitigation obligations Improves ecosystem function.
Photo: Matthew Grimm
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Public and private sectors engage in accountable and
transparent investments in sustainable resource management.
Landowners compensated for sustainable management and restoration
that results in measurable improvements. Healthier streams,
resilient floodplains and riparian corridors - resulting in jobs,
cost savings, and other societal benefits. 8 CVHE V ISION Photo:
Matthew Grimm
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9
Slide 10
Exchange Program Area
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Potential Needs (concerning HCP/NCCP implementation)
Publicizing habitat mitigation and conservation needs of the
HCP/NCCPs to potential willing sellers to secure sufficient habitat
supply at an appropriate time. Ability to consistently prioritize
habitat projects and available funding. Comprehensive understanding
of mitigation and conservation activities across the Central
Valley.
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Exchange Value Tool in the toolbox to help meet goals and
objectives of current and future HCP/NCCPs: Expanding market for
conservation delivery to HCPs (i.e., the Exchange as a conservation
broker). Systematic and consistent metrics to help evaluate cost
benefits for HCPs. Third party tracking to coordinate mitigation
and conservation activities across the Central Valley.
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$$ Exchange Administrator Oversight Committee Science Committee
State & Federal Regulators External Administrative Entities
Habitat Impacts Sellers Buyers Habitat Verifiers MOU Registry
Exchange Structure Proposed relationship with HCP/ NCCPs MOU
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$$ Exchange Administrator Oversight Committee Science Committee
State & Federal Regulators External Administrative Entities
Habitat Impacts Sellers Buyers Habitat Verifiers MOU Registry
Exchange Structure Proposed relationship with HCP/ NCCPs Other
Sellers Other Buyers MOU
Attribute Category: Nesting Habitat Attributes Tree Presence
and Quality Recruitment Capacity Proximity to Disturbance
Documented On-site Nesting Gary O. Grimm
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Attribute Category: Landscape Priority Attributes Proximity
between Foraging and Nesting Habitats Predicted Habitat Suitability
Index (NADC)
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Attribute Weights Foraging Habitat ___ Vegetative Cover ___
Hedgerows ___ Management Practices Nesting Habitat ___ Tree
presence and density ___ On-site nesting ___ Proximity to
disturbance Landscape Priority ___ Proximity of nesting to foraging
___ Proximity to off-site nesting ___ Predicted habitat suitability
___ + ___ + __ = SCORE
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Summary: Central Valley Habitat Exchange Quantification Tool
for Swainsons Hawk Transparent and Accessible Demonstrates
restoration outcomes Tuned for private lands Adaptable
resource
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Timeline: One year (Mar 2014 to Mar 2015) Target species:
Swainsons Hawk Project site: Yolo County Major goal: Demonstration
of concept Exchange Pilot Project
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Photo: Matthew Grimm Timeline: One year (Mar 2014 to Mar 2015)
Target species: Swainsons Hawk Project site: Yolo County Major
goal: Demonstration of concept Exchange Pilot Project
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Tracking, Reporting & Coordination The Exchange Registry
& Annual Reports
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Benefits for Landowners Makes it profitable to increase the
environmental benefits their land can provide, even as they
maintain or increase their productivity Involves them directly in
process and outcomes More easily links them to investors 26
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Conservation Benefits Links impacts more directly to
scientifically quantified/verified outcomes Focuses on outcomes,
not just practices Larger projects possible - aggregation
Integrates landscape conservation Results in net conservation
benefits Expands investment in conservation 27
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Questions? Ann Hayden, Environmental Defense Fund
[email protected] Photo: Jacob Katz