In partnership with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Appalachian LCC staff recently conducted workshops in Crossville, Tennessee and Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Decatur, Alabama to introduce LCC-funded research products to resource managers and scientists.

The events demonstrated the need behind working at a landscape scale to better plan and manage for the conservation of essential natural and cultural resources. More specifically, it showcased Appalachian LCC derived tools and resources that can enhance collaboration between federal, state, and local entities and aid conservation planning efforts that transcend state lines. A total of 67 people representing 26 organizations participated in these two events.

Each event was tailored to participants based on their feedback obtained prior to the meeting. The meetings included presentations, hands on case scenarios, facilitated discussions and break-out sessions. Drs. Paul Leonard and Daniel Hanks of Clemson University were present at the Crossville event to present and discuss the science behind the Appalachian LCC Integrated Landscape Conservation Design (Phase II LCD) effort. Participants walked through case scenarios of how Phase II of the LCD can be used in their conservation planning efforts at the local and regional level and had the opportunity to individually work with the recently developed online tool of the LCD.

Staff are presently receiving evaluations from participants that will help enhance future Appalachian LCC workshops across the region. If interested in collaborating with the LCC to organize similar workshops in your area, contact Communications Coordinator Matthew Cimitile, cmatth8@vt.edu.