Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group

habitat conservation + working landscapes

A close-up image of a bee hovering near a vibrant pink flower, surrounded by green foliage, highlighting the importance of pollinators in nature.

Resources library

This online library is a clearinghouse of tools and information related to habitat on rights-of-way and other lands. From seed mix calculators to mowing guidelines and everything in between, you’ll find it here.

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Alt text: A dense forest featuring old world climbing ferns, illustrating the impact of invasive species on ecosystems. The image highlights the importance of understanding and managing invasive plant species to protect native habitats.

Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

Best Management Practices

https://www.invasive.org/101/index.cfm

 

 

Alt text: Academic article titled

Alternative Management of Roadside Vegetation

Best Management Practices, Policy and Publications

This paper published by HortTechnology evaluates the efficacy of alternative methods of vegetative control of roadside vegetation, including citric acid, clove oil, corn gluten meal, pelargonic acid, woodchips, bark mulches, and burning to conventional herbicides.

https://rightofway.erc.uic.edu/wp-content/uploads/19437714-HortTechnology-Alternative-Management-of-Roadside-Vegetation.pdf

Close-up of diverse vegetation illustrating Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) practices at Penn State, highlighting the balance of vegetation control, economic factors, and environmental quality in ecological research.

Integrated Vegetation Management | Utility Rights of Way Wildlife Research

Policy and Publications

Penn State’s research includes detailed reports and guides on IVM practices. Their website offers downloadable resources such as the “Understanding the Economics & Benefits of Integrated Vegetation Management” and the “Managing Utility Rights-of-Way for Wildlife Habitat Self Study Guide.” These documents provide valuable insights into balancing vegetation control, economic costs, and environmental quality.

https://sites.psu.edu/transmissionlineecology/integrated-vegetation-management/

Alt text: Overview of Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) practices promoting sustainable resource management, featuring a video thumbnail with a presenter discussing environmental stewardship and the benefits of IVM for utility companies.

IVM – Integrated Vegetation Management | Right-of-Way Stewardship Council

Best Management Practices

This council offers resources on best management practices for IVM on utility ROW. Their materials include standards for responsible vegetation management and accreditation requirements. These resources promote ecological and economic benefits of IVM and help utilities maintain power system reliability while improving environmental stewardship. Visit their website for more information

https://rowstewardship.org/ivm.php

Alt text: A document titled

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Wildlife

Best Management Practices

This document introduces the use of IPM on agricultural lands and general guidance on integrating fish and wildlife considerations into IPM plans. The role of wildlife as an agent of integrated pest management is also introduced.

https://efotg.sc.egov.usda.gov/references/public/SC/IPM_for_Wildlife.pdf

Oklahoma Department of Transportation case study image showcasing Monarch CCAA enrollment, featuring a natural landscape with wildflowers and a highway in the background, highlighting ecological preservation efforts.

Case Study: Oklahoma DOT’s Approach to the Monarch CCAA – March 4, 2021

Webinars

Learn how Oklahoma DOT determined their enrolled lands and adopted acres for habitat management for the Monarch CCAA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FKFm-QgfB0&ab_channel=EnergyResourcesCenter