Regional Restoration Initiative A sciencebased approach in the

Regional Restoration Initiative: A science-based approach in the DE Estuary Jennifer Adkins, Executive Director Partnership for the Delaware Estuary

Making Restoration Efforts Count • • Large and complex system Limited resources Broad CCMP Urgency • To have Highest Impact, must invest strategically in highest value projects that yield maximum benefits to ecosystem goods and services • Regional restoration considers which activities are best across time and space at both the watershed and sub-watershed scale

The Regional Restoration Concept (Regional Priorities) (Registry Projects) (RRWG) Match with Funder/Partner Priorities through PDE Alliance

Key elements of the RRI A two-track process: • PDE Alliance for Comprehensive Ecosystem Solutions (Alliance) • Regional Restoration Workgroup & Registry

Key Elements: PDE Alliance 1. The best available science information, tools and expertise are used to find projects that best address the needs and opportunities for improving the Delaware Estuary. A STAC-affiliated workgroup assesses projects based on established criteria.

Key Elements: PDE Alliance 2. Input from stakeholders across the region is used to cultivate a pool of sound and diverse projects. A new online Project Registry and a public comment period allow stakeholders from across the region to submit their projects , and/or their input on others’ projects, for consideration.

Key Elements: PDE Alliance 3. A public/private partnership of key leaders from government, industry, foundations, and nonprofit entities – the PDE Alliance – uses a consensus-based process to select from available projects those that best address Regional Priorities. The result is a list of priority projects that Alliance members work together to promote, support, and implement by capitalizing on each of their unique set of resources.

Key Elements: PDE Alliance 2010 Priority Projects for the Delaware Estuary • • • Bridesburg Urban Waterfront Restoration Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Mannington Mills Riparian Restoration Mill Creek Stream Restoration Strategic Reforestation of Riparian Zones

Key Elements: RRWG & Registry PDE Alliance, or Other Priorities and Needs

Key Elements: Registry • One-stop-shop • Part of effort to identify high value restoration • Projects can include traditional habitat restoration, enhancement, creation, or protection activities • Education, outreach, policy, and research projects can also be submitted to the Registry

Key Elements: Registry

Key Elements: RRWG Basic Decision-Making Tools • Linked to a project registry to compare ecologically important natural resources with protection and enhancement opportunities, and geographic locations Advanced Decision. Making Tools • Incorporate natural capital values that can be used to identify and compare high value activities and select priority projects.

Key Elements: RRWG Case Studies ID Key Resources Ecological Valuation Tidal Marshes Bivalve Shellfish Headwater Streams Urban Waterfront N. C. Outcomes from Activities Project Registry & Gaps

Key Elements: RRWG Case Studies Tidal Marsh Case Study • Led by Lawrence D. Malizzi, PG, Vice President, Matrix New World Engineering, Inc. and Danielle Kreeger, PDE • Currently working on Basic 2000 2100 Restoration Tools using results 42, 558 hectares of tidal from the Delaware Estuary wetlands lost by 2100 with corresponding Climate Adaptation Report primary production service loss of 60 million kilograms over the century

Key Elements: RRWG Case Studies Bivalve Shellfish Case Study • Led by Danielle Kreeger, PDE Science Director • Currently working on Basic Restoration Matrices, working with TNC to identify and evaluate shellfish priority projects in the region.

Key Elements: RRWG Case Studies Forested Headwaters Streams • Led by Michael Leff, Pennsylvania Horticulture Society • Currently completing Basic and Value-added Restoration Matrices. Completed a prioritization map of 1 st and 2 nd order headwater streams

Key Elements: RRWG Case Studies Urban Waterfronts • Led by Paul Racette, Pennsylvania Environmental Council • Most advanced in developing Value-added Restoration Matrices.

The Regional Restoration Initiative is designed to: • Identify restoration activities that will yield the greatest ecosystem benefits for different watershed areas • Provide a one stop shop for high value restoration projects and identify areas/activities of project need • Infuse science into the restoration project decision process • Enhance coordination of restoration activities and speed restoration priority setting and project selection Thank you!