The Understory Initiative

The Usfws Will Work Collaboratively With the Project Proponent to Develop and Implement a Comprehensive Strategy to Enhance Western Monarch and Other Pollinator Species Habitat in Southwest Oregon. Specifically, the Strategy Will Draw Upon the Strengths of Two Grassroots Conservation Initiatives, the Southwest Oregon Pollinator Collaborative (SWOPC) and the Rogue Native Plant Partnership (RNPP) to Achieve Goals Set Forth in the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Western Monarch Conservation Plan as Well as the Xerces Society's Call to Action for the Western Population. There Is a Heightened Sense of Urgency to Address a Significant Decline in the Western Population of 99.4% Since the 1980S. Swopc Recently Completed Over 300 Acres of Native Plant Restoration That Enhanced or Created Monarch Habitat in the Project Area, and the RNPP Is Collecting and Growing Out Native Seed to Provide the Needed Plant Materials. This Project Will Allow These Entities to Increase Their Capacity to Identify More Seed Sources and Produce More Native Plants, Recruit Additional Willing Landowners, and Provide Them With Technical Assistance and Plant Materials.