TAMARISK COALITION

Results: The following outlines a few accomplishments that took place 2013 alone: - Through technical assistance and capacity support, we helped advance the goals of the Arkansas River Watershed Invasive Plant Partnership, Desert Rivers Collaborative, Dolores River Restoration Partnership, Escalante River Watershed Partnership, Gila Watershed Partnership of Arizona, Middle Colorado Watershed Council, Northwest Colorado Riparian Partnership, Southeast Utah Riparian Partnership, and Verde Watershed Restoration Coalition. - We provided education to a total of 674 people on riparian restoration training techniques, funding opportunities, and tamarisk beetle impacts. In addition, we participated in at least 16 educational events and presentations which reached approximately 1,455 adults and youth. - We worked with Great Outdoors Colorado to help inform the creation of a new riparian restoration-specific funding source. - 146 people attended four field-based training events in Colorado watersheds - one in the Gunnison River Basin, two in the Colorado River Basin, and one in the Dolores River Basin. The workshops covered topics such as invasive and native plant identification, grazing management in riparian areas, best practices in weed management, and improving the success of native plant revegetation through ground water well installation. -78 people participated in our Funding Opportunities Webinar Series – topics included funding opportunities for restoration in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and on private lands; sustainable funding mechanisms for restoration; and the Army Corps of Engineers Compensatory Mitigation Program for wetlands and streams. Catch up on past webinars or find future events at http://tamariskcoalition.org/programs/funding-webinar-series Over 165 researchers, land managers, practitioners, and students attended our five day annual conference, held March 11-15, 2013. TC partnered with The Water Center at Colorado Mesa University, River Management Society, Submerged Lands, and Bureau of Land Management to host the event, which showcased riparian restoration and river management information from across the western US, as well as Alaska and Maryland. -We are lead partners on the Dolores River Restoration Partnership, which has been working to restore native plants and manage invasive species on 175 miles of the Dolores River in southeast Utah and western Colorado since 2009. Accomplishments in 2013 include: 284.5 acres of tamarisk treated by conservation corps crews or contractors 76 acres of tamarisk re-sprouts treated by agency staff and interns 156 acres planted with native grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees 394 acres of secondary weed treatment (e.g., Russian knapweed) 767 acres where desirable plants have been restored 59 jobs created for conservation corps and private contractors 460 volunteer hours of service $993,575 invested into local economies

Target demographics: advance the restoration of riparian lands through collaboration, education, and technical assistance

Geographic areas served: the Southwestern U.S.

Programs: Riparian restoration training workshops, an annual conference that connects land managers and scientists to share the most up-to-date science in the riparian restoration field, Tamarisk Beetle Monitoring Program, coordination of the Dolores River Restoration Partnership and the Desert Rivers Collaborative.