1. APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS
JOINT VENTURE:
General Overview
Dolly Sods Wilderness in WV. Photo: Gavin G. Shire

2. A new joint venture…. http://www.amjv.org/library/amjv.pdf
I am the Appal Mtns JV Coordinator, a new JV that was approved by FWS in OCT 2008.
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Partners across 12 states, numerous federal agencies and universities, and non-profits like Nat. Audubon Society, ABC, WMI, and TNC.
Our partnership is responsible for all-bird conservation in the region, ensuring that we plan for and deliver the various habitat types and successional stages needed to conserve our priority species, using a scientific approach to identify how much habitat is needed for each species, where it should be conserved, and how birds respond to our efforts.
Sounds challenging enough across such a large and diverse landscape…

3. NGOs Federal State Organizational Structure: Management Board AL GA KY
American Bird Conservancy
Audubon
TNC
WMI
Federal
NPS
FWS FS
USGS
State AL GA KY MD NC OH PA TN VA WV

4. Biological Planning: Highest Priority Habitats
Early Succ. Hardwood/Conifer; Minelands
Mature Deciduous/Mixed Hardwoods
Spruce-Fir; No. Hardwoods
Forested Wetlands; Riparian
Focal Species
American Woodcock, Golden-winged & Blue-winged Warblers, Henslow’s Sparrow
Cerulean Warbler, Wood Thrush, Worm-eating Warbler
Northern Saw-whet Owl, Canada & Golden-winged Warblers, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
American Woodcock, American Black Duck, Acadian Flycatcher, Swainson’s Warbler

5. Early Successional Species
AMJV Biological Planning
Population and Habitat Objectives:
Early Successional Species

6. High Elevation Forests
Biological planning beginning (focal species, major limiting factors, etc.)
Will develop high-elevation forest decision support tool to prioritize bird conservation activities: protection, management, restoration

7. New roads leading to O&G wells, All. NF
Coal…
Energy in the AMJV…
Oil & Gas…
Wind…
Transmission…
(this gasline runs MD to NY)
Research: Energy: Coal Mining
1st: Map—When you hear about Appalachia and Coal, most people think about Mountain Top Removal/Valley Fill Mining. But, we’re also thinking about CERW. The core population for Ceruleans, and where we see them in their highest abundance/densities, is in the footprint of MTR/VF mining. But, look at the bigger picture too—the Appalachian coal field is large, and a lot of traditional strip mining has occurred or is planned throughout these areas.
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We’ve learned that CERW occur in higher densities in large blocks of mature forest than in mature forests along edges of reclaimed Mtn Top mines. We’ve learned that densities can be as much as 4x lower on edges compared to 300 m into the forest. We’ve also learned that GWWA can be found on many reclaimed mines in TN, VA, and WV, but we’re just learning about how successful they are on these areas. More about mining later…
New roads leading to O&G wells, All. NF

8. Implementation 10 yrs, $600k+/year >80% private lands
Limitless… 80% of range
NFWF Early Successional Habitat Keystone Initiative
NRCS Incentive Programs
1st--Opposing towers along Gulf Coast b/c of migratory bird importance; towers are not considered under NEPA and ESA laws
2nd—ESA based case on HI
Siting considerations and specs—under 200 ft so no lights, no guy wires, and white or red strobe lights instead of slow or steady-state lights
Pushing to do a conspicuity study of towers—changing lights, impacts to pilots?
Funding to hire a ‘Collisions’ person—wind, glass, towers, etc.
Cerulean Warbler Silvicultural Project