EXECUTIVE SUMMARY       (continued)

2. Management Approach

Goals

The goals and objectives for the Significant Natural Resource Areas were defined by the 1995 Significant Natural Resource Areas Management Plan (SNRAMP).  These have been further refined and incorporated into the overall aims of this management plan. There are six major categories of management goals addressed within this document:  Conservation and Restoration, Education, Research, Stewardship, Recreation, and Monitoring.  Conservation and restoration goals are intended to identify, protect, and restore native community diversity, structure, and function.  Education and research goals foster opportunities to learn about and study the natural systems of the Significant Natural Areas.  Stewardship goals foster community support for the Significant Natural Areas.  Recreation-oriented goals allow for recreational uses where they are compatible with resource protection goals. The monitoring goals associated with this project essentially focus on development and implementation of a comprehensive monitoring program that will tie into the adaptive management process.

VALUES AND MANAGEMENT CONCERNS

Conservation of Significant Natural Areas is important because they include a diversity of native plant communities and habitats within a major city. Many of the Natural Areas support populations of special-status species and provide habitat for wildlife.  Primary management concerns relate to restoring and enhancing these remnant communities that have been adversely impacted by human activities. These concerns include the fragmentation of natural landscape, the introduction of non-native plants and animals, and the increase in pressures from human use. (Top of page)

RESTORATION AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Adaptive management, as applied to natural systems, involves a continuous cycle of systematically monitoring biodiversity and other ecosystem goals.  Monitoring data are used to reassess plans, strategies/goals, methods, and questions that underlie the management approach.  In this management plan, adaptive management is carried out by assessing conditions, developing a plan and taking action, then monitoring this action and adjusting the plan as required.

The Natural Areas Program and the recommendations described in this plan are based on the principles of the Bradley Method.  The Bradley Method works on three general principles: (1) work from areas with native plants toward weed-infested areas, (2) make minimal disturbance, and (3) let native plant regeneration dictate the rate of weed removal.  The Critical Areas identified in this report reflect relatively intact native plant and important wildlife habitat areas on which restoration will initially focus