BACKGROUND
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.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project is to help state DOTs to implement the guides developed by NCHRP Project 25-59 effectively.
TASKS
To achieve the research objective, the research plan shall describe appropriate deliverables, including:
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.
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
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.
Proposers should consider the following requirements associated with the envisioned strategies or any other proposed strategies:
- Each regional workshop should be 2 days long and held in different regions. A 3-to-4-hour field visit to a nearby site should be offered for each workshop.
- A maximum of 15 in-person participants should be planned per workshop, which should include participants who have implemented or have attempted to implement pollinator management practices. Additional online participation is encouraged.
- The national peer exchange will be 2 days long and will be held at a location to be decided, with a maximum of 25 participants. A 3-to-4-hour field visit to a nearby site should be offered for the peer exchange.
- Proposers should provide a cost estimate breakdown for the workshops and the peer exchange.
- The selected contractor will be responsible for all logistics and conduct of the workshops and peer exchange, including travel for state DOT participants, conduct, documentation, facilitation, etc. Travel for non-state DOT participants will be at their own cost and will not be covered by this project.
STATUS: Proposals have been received in response to the RFP. The project panel will meet to select a contractor to perform the work.
