Visit BRN at the Madrean Conference

As one the proud sponsors of the Madrean Conference we invite our supporters to register to attend this conference in Tucson next week, May 14-18, 2018.  Tomorrow, Friday May 11th, is the last day to register online.

While many of our staff will be attending sessions and available for conversation about our organization, we are proud to have three staff members giving presentations.  You can find BRN staff talking about our work at the following three sessions:

Monday morning @ 10:00.  Allegra Mount will present "Native Plant Materials for an International & Biologically and Culturally Unique Eco-Region"
Over the past five years, The Borderlands Restoration Native Plant Nursery and Seed Lab in Patagonia, Arizona have developed a system for providing regional plant and seed genotypes to federal agencies and the general public. These entities comprise the BRN Native Plant Materials Program, providing a unique suite of services in a biologically and culturally unique eco-region.
In this presentation we will outline our unique program & discuss how and why we are working internationally to build eco-regional capacity for seed collection, storage, and container plant production. This will encompass an overview of current projects, opportunities for partnerships, and resources for Mexican and American practitioners working with plant materials in the Madrean Archipelago.

Monday afternoon @ 2:20.  Francesca Claverie will present "Feeding Pollinators with Native Plantings:  Species Palettes, Nectar Gaps, and Plant Materials Sourcing"
 Borderlands Restoration’s Native Plant Materials Program’s (BRNPM) mission is to promote biodiversity by providing access to restoration quality plant materials and guidance for effective use. BRNPM is based in Patagonia, AZ and began six years ago with locally sourced plant propagation for a hummingbird habitat restoration project to supplement nectar sources for hummingbirds abandoning their nests in early summer. Since its conception BRNPM has worked with hundreds of pollinator species for support of moths, butterflies, bees, birds, and bats, and has delved into seed and plant material collection, container nursery production, seed production, and consultation for species lists and production of regional plants of the Madrean Archipelago and beyond.
BRNPM encourages locally sourced and adapted plant materials for restoration, and attempts to demystify plant materials access and use in restoration. BRNPM is proud to partner with so many organizations in the area and engage volunteers and youth in our pollinator efforts. The plant diversity of the Madrean Archipelago region is unparalleled and there are so many fun botanical options to support the myriad and wide diversity of pollinators of our area.  Regardless of the habitat, there is an exciting pollinator supporting plant palette for all areas!

Tuesday morning @ 11:20.  Caleb Weaver will present "Employing Rural Borderlands Youth To Restore Their Home Watersheds"

​The Borderlands Earth Care Youth (BECY) Institute inspires and trains the next generation of land stewards by working with rock, wood, seeds, hands, and hearts to return flowing waters and riverside ecosystems to the arid borderlands. Youth living in rural communities along the US/Mexico border work closely with conservation professionals to make grassroots systemic change in historically overlooked and underserved communities. Simultaneously, youth learn leadership skills and are empowered to develop tiered-leadership roles with increased responsibility, accountability, and empathy. By working and playing in the great outdoors, youth develop life-long passion and skills to make positive change in their home communities – supporting the people, plants, and animals that call the borderlands home.