NCHRP Implementation Support Program. Workshops and Peer Exchanges on Pollinator Habitat Conservation Along Roadways

Many pollinators are in decline and roadsides can be valuable habitat for them and other wildlife. Roadside managers have an interest in pollinator conservation and are seeking information about ways to support imperiled pollinators and to preclude future listings to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). One of the primary goals of NCHRP Project 25-59, “Pollinator Habitat Conservation along Roadways,” was to produce guides that cover 16 regions of the United States. Each guide includes regional information about site selection, design, installation, and management of roadside pollinator habitat; the native plants and pollinators of each region; and guidance on ESA regulatory compliance to reduce regulatory uncertainty and contribute to pollinator conservation and recovery. Supporting materials that accompanied the guides include videos for transportation agencies and the public, a communications toolbox, monitoring and habitat assessment tools, and plant lists. Efforts are needed to disseminate the research results of NCHRP Project 25-59, provide training on using the guides, and help state department of transportation (DOT) staff understand and consider pollinator habitat conservation strategies that may be effective in their jurisdiction or situation. The objective of this project is to help state DOTs to implement the guides developed by NCHRP Project 25-59 effectively. NCHRP is seeking the insights of proposers on how best to achieve the research objective. Proposers are expected to describe a research plan that can realistically be accomplished with the constraints of available funds and contract time. Proposals must present the proposers’ current thinking in sufficient detail to demonstrate their understanding of the issues and the soundness of their approach to meeting the research objective. To achieve the research objective, the research plan shall describe appropriate deliverables, including: 1. An implementation plan to achieve the research objective following the “NCHRP Active Implementation: Moving Research into Practice" requirements (see Special Note J).  The initial implementation stage should identify both barriers and drivers that influence the implementation of the guides. The research team should then evaluate whether the following strategies for technology transfer effectively address implementation barriers and drivers: a. Developing training materials based on the conservation practices in the guides b. Conducting a minimum of four 2-day regional workshops (each with a half-day visit) to facilitate collaboration between DOT staff in environmental, maintenance, engineering, landscape architecture, and other appropriate disciplines c. Holding one national in-person peer exchange to highlight opportunities for implementing conservation strategies (the peer exchange will include a field visit to pollinator habitats and a demonstration of monitoring techniques and habitat assessments)  The research team shall identify any gaps or limitations related to the envisioned strategies for technology transfer and work with NCHRP to address them by modifying them or proposing different strategies as the budget permits.   Note: NCHRP shall approve the implementation plan before executing any tasks related to the envisioned deliverables. 2. A list of training materials that will be used to support each workshop and the national peer exchange. 3. A plan for each workshop that includes the proposer’s current thinking on: a.  How the regional groupings at each workshop would be determined b.  Potential locations for each workshop, along with appropriate sites for field visits c.  The topics to be covered at each workshop, including: •   Conservation strategies described in the guides •   Adaptation practices for key imperiled pollinators •   ESA compliance •   Maintenance strategies •   Site selection that maximizes success for vegetation establishment, pollinator benefits, and connectivity •   Cost-benefit education and messaging •   Revegetation strategies •   Other topics of importance to participants d.  The list of appropriate attendees from each DOT and other organizations   Note: The plans for each workshop will be finalized in consultation with NCHRP.   4. A summary of the guidelines for conducting the peer exchange, including key questions to be answered and an agenda. 5. An engaging document for the peer exchange participants that includes a list of resources. 6. A report on the results of the workshops and peer exchanges. 7. A collection of dissemination materials, such as social media posts and flyers, on the results of the workshops and peer exchanges. 8. A conduct of research report that documents the results of the project and a dissemination plan for the materials developed during the project.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5629
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Funding: $350000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 20-44(55)

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Mohan, Sid

• Start Date: 20240723
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Environmental monitoring; Habitat (Ecology); Pollinators; Roadside flora and fauna; Training; Workshops
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Environment; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01909018
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 20-44(55)
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Feb 20 2024 8:04PM