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.
Conservation Agreements
This document provides a variety of talking points on the listing decision extension and what it means for the Monarch CCAA.
Assessment Tools
This tool developed by the Monarch Joint Venture pairs a Rapid Assessment protocol for assessing current monarch habitat conditions along roadsides with a Habitat Calculator that computes monarch habitat quality scores for use in adaptive management.
Case Studies and Research, Planning Tools, Policy and Publications
This report prepared by BioCompliance Consulting, Inc. presents a business case for the practice of Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) on electric and gas transmission rights-of- way, both in terms of cost savings and the benefits that are produced.
Best Management Practices, Policy and Publications
This report prepared by the Electric Power Research Institute and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation describes the conservation actions for monarch habitat protection, management, enhancement, and restoration that are compatible with the land use and management of electric power company properties. Conservation actions are mapped to the various land asset types to understand where the greatest monarch conservation potential exists.
Best Management Practices, Policy and Publications
This resource was developed by Hydro-Québec. This is an information sheet for native plants that support pollinators. The reference guide highlights plants that are compatible with transmission systems, and specifies which plants support specific pollinators.
Case Studies and Research
The safe operation of electric transmission lines necessitates the suppression of tall, woody vegetation on associated rights-of-way (ROWs). Native warm season grasses (NWSG) are more expensive for ROW revegetation compared to typical exotic cool season grasses (ECSG), but they may alter the successional trajectory such that long-term maintenance costs are reduced. I conducted a cost-benefit analysis to determine if ROW revegetation with NWSG is cost effective compared to ECSG. I synthesized cost information obtained from the Tennessee Valley Authority regarding ROW planting and maintenance and data collected from a feasibility study of ROWs planted with NWSG. Revegetation with NWSG was found to be 6% more expensive than ECSG. The degree of woody suppression to make NWSG a worthwhile investment was found to be 12-21% using a break-even analysis. Despite the initial greater expense of NWSG, associated potential maintenance savings and indirect ecological, environmental, social, and economic benefits favor their use.