DETERMINING URBAN DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: NEW
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 1009618
• Project No.: FLA-WEC-005515
• Project Start Date: May 26, 2016
• Project End Date: Apr 5, 2021

Project Director
Hostetler, M.

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
G022 MCCARTY HALL
GAINESVILLE,FL 32611

Performing Department
Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

Non Technical Summary
Objectives:The primary goal of my research program is to determine urban design and management strategies that help decision makers effectively conserve biodiversity and natural resources. Specific objectives include:To develop biometric equations that reflect how different urban design and management scenarios would impact wildlife species diversity.To investigate landowners' perspectives on native wildlife, conservation practices, incentive-based policies, and funding mechanisms that could facilitate the stewardship of conservation developments.To determine biophysical metrics that will enable developers, landowners, and planners to assess the impact of various development designs on natural resources.Justification:The built environment changed radically in the United States over the course of the twentieth century (Southworth and Owens 1993). Today, sprawl, both urban and suburban, has become an overwhelming trend and is characterized by a lack of integrative planning resulting in low-density, auto-oriented, monotypic development (Benfield et al., 1999). Though the intention of development in the U.S. may be to make the "American Dream," a reality, the problems associated with sprawl are now undermining that dream (Duany et al. 2000). In particular, natural resources and biodiversity are significantly impacted as the urban boundary expands into rural, semi-natural, and natural areas.Interest in conservation developments (CD) has been growing within the U.S. and elsewhere as a way to minimize impacts on natural resources (Milder, 2007). Typically, conservation subdivisions have homes clustered within a smaller area with each lot encompassing less than 1 acre (e.g., 0.25-0.5 acres), and the remaining area is left as open space. In theory, such development can provide social and environmental benefits (Pejchar et al. 2007), and the American public is increasingly calling for conservation development as hundreds of ballot and policy initiatives are appearing (Romero and Hostetler 2007; Chen 2000). However, CD initiatives primarily require setting aside open space and county/city planning strategies that encourage CDs typically do not require a robust management plan (Reed et al. 2014). Open space can be heavily impacted by nearby residential areas, such as residents planting invasive exotic plants for landscaping, and these invasive plants spread into conserved natural areas. CDs are often no better than conventional subdivisions in conserving biodiversity due in part to the lack of active management of both the built and conserved areas (Lenth et al., 2006). Research is needed to assess landowners' perspectives on incentive-based policies, on native wildlife, conservation practices, and funding mechanisms that could facilitate the stewardship of CDs. Results will help policy makers to craft ordinances that encourage the adoption of management practices in conservation developments.Further, decision makers often do not have sufficient information to improve the biological integrity of modified landscapes (Ahern 2013). Most scientific data and proposed solutions remain in technical reports and journal articles in formats that are unusable by decision makers. For wildlife, it is difficult to assess which species gain or lose from alternative planning scenarios because each species responds differently to the sizes of conserved areas, connectivity, nearby land use impacts, and fragmentation/edge effects. City/county planners assess development impacts through GIS mapping tools, but an evaluation tool that links spatial design and management practices to ecological data is lacking. Research is needed that synthesizes current empirical studies and generates wildlife biometric equations that link to visual planning tools, which are used to evaluate the impacts of different development scenarios. Urban decision makers can ultimately use these biometric equations to recommend best design and management strategies for conserving biodiversity when land is subdivided.Other biophysical metrics that help with sustainability of urban development include metrics of carbon sequestration/storage, water quality, energy consumption, and economic costs and benefits. These biophysical and economic metrics are also not readily available or in a format that could be used as an evaluation tool in urban planning. Often synergies exist between biodiversity and these other metrics; for example, clustering development and conserving large patches of forest not only increases wildlife habitat but it also promotes the storage and sequestration of carbon and reduces the amount of paved roads, ultimately saving the developer money. As with biodiversity metrics, research is needed to generate equations that could be linked to spatial design of a development. This can be done either through new field research or through synthesizing current studies. Once these equations are developed and linked to GIS mapping tools, urban decision makers can evaluate different development scenarios and see how they impact various biophysical and economic variables.

Animal Health Component

0%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
136	0120	1070	70%
608	0120	1070	30%

Knowledge Area
136 - Conservation of Biological Diversity; 608 - Community Resource Planning and Development;

Subject Of Investigation
0120 - Land;

Field Of Science
1070 - Ecology;

Keywords

conservation development

biodiversity

sustaianble development

Goals / Objectives
Objectives:The primary goal of my research program is to determine urban design and management strategies that help decision makers effectively conserve biodiversity and natural resources. Specific objectives include:To develop biometric equations that reflect how different urban design and management scenarios would impact wildlife species diversity.To investigate landowners' perspectives on native wildlife, conservation practices, incentive-based policies, and funding mechanisms that could facilitate the stewardship of conservation developments.To determine biophysical metrics that will enable developers, landowners, and planners to assess the impact of various development designs on natural resources.

Project Methods
1. To develop biometric equations that reflect how different urban design and management scenarios would impact wildlife species diversity: Working with students and other researchers, I will synthesize empirical data on impacts of land conversion and elicit expert opinion to determine the relative importance of different design and management practices, assigning weights to these factors within a biometric equation. Starting out with forest birds, I will generate equations for forest generalists and specialists categories during breeding, migrating, and wintering seasons. To reflect impacts, our equations will measure "Index of Diversity" for the identified species group and season (e.g., specialists in breeding season). This measure, in part, will be based on design factors (e.g., patch size and habitat quality) from a literature review that consistently showed similar effects for a species group. The equations will reflect factors both within the conserved areas and from nearby built spaces. For conserved areas, minimum patch sizes and habitat quality are most likely factors that impact bird diversity. For example, forest specialists (e.g., neotropical warblers) are often restricted to interior or "core" areas of large habitat patches during the breeding season (Devictor, 2008) and are more vulnerable to disturbance (Julliard et al, 2006). In built areas, tree conservation and native landscaping are factors that affect connectivity and additional foraging and breeding opportunities.I will conduct a thorough literature review using results from the Web of Science journal article database. Queries will be based on keywords such as "forest bird specialist", "generalist", "fragmentation", "patch size", "habitat quality" "urban", and "biodiversity." Relevant literature will be indexed and their findings will be synthesized to produce an average "weighting" value that will be inserted into the biometric equation. For example, using publications that determined minimum patch size for breeding, forest bird specialists, I will average minimum forest patch sizes and use this value as part of the equation that measures impacts from various development designs.As indicated above, nearby built areas have impacts on conserved patches and management is helps to minimize these impacts. However, no studies have been conducted to assess the positive impacts of management of urban areas and it is difficult to weight the importance of management in the biometric equations. I will survey experts to obtain their opinions about how to incorporate management into the biometric equations. One technique, the Delphi method (Ludlow 1975) is an effective forecasting tool often used in social science fields and gaining strength in ecology as well (Wallington & Moore, 2005).A biometric equation may change for the same group of species in different seasons. For forest specialists, a fragmented site may not be conducive for breeding habitat but may be fine for stopover habitat. A hypothetical biometric equation is given below for breeding season forest specialists:

Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18

Outputs
Target Audience:general public, developers, extension professionals and researchers, planners/policy makers, private landowners, natural resource managers (private and public lands) Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Conducted thirteen workshops and presentations with landscape architects, students, city/county planners, landowners, environmental consultants, and extension professionals, Florida Fish and Wildlife, and landowners: Jacksonville NC, Jan 31, 2018 (64 people); Raleigh, NC, Woodland Center June 13th 2018 (13 people); Boston MA, May 2 2018, (54 people); Portland, OR, April 6, 2018 (61 people); Los Angeles, CA, April 25, 2018, (70 people); Seattle, WA April 10, 2018, (60 people); Futurescapes Largo, FL FWC/UF, Oct 23, 2018 (13 people); Tallahassee, FL Extension Workshop, April 4, 2018 (18 people); Sarasota, FL Extension Workshop, Feb 27, 2018 (58 people); West Palm Beach, FL Extension Workshop, March 13, 2018 (10 people); Orlando, FL Extension Workshop, March 22, 2018 (21 people). Total attendance - 523 people. Bird Window Collision Project - UF. Collaborating with folks across campus and the undergraduate bird club GREBE, I am leading a team to raise awareness about problematic windows that need to be retro-fitted to prevent bird strikes. Students are learning how to use iNaturalist to enter bird strikes (http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/birdcollisions/index.php). Building for Bird web site and tool - http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/home.html# What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Conduct in-person workshops and presentations with cities, environmental organizations, Extension personnel, environmental consulting firms, and county planners about how to utilize the online building for birds education tool and conserve avian habitat. Publish two synthesis papers on findings for birds that use forest fragments and trees in urban areas for United States, Canada, and the Columbian region of South America

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? University of Florida have installed additional bird window treatments.We have installed additional treatments on Newins-Ziegler Hall and some on Jennings Hall (Feb 2018). Bird window strikes went down 100% as a result of these treatments. Increased knowledge about evaluating urban design and conservation of bird habitat in cities and how to do conservation developments. This occurred from thirteen workshops and presentations with landscape architects, students, city/county planners, landowners, environmental consultants, and extension professionals, and Florida Fish and Wildlife personnel. Total attendance - 663 people.

Publications

• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Anderson, C.J., Van De Kerk, M., Pine, B., Hostetler, M.E., Heard, D.J., and Johnson, S.A. 2018. Population Estimate and Management Options for Introduced Rhesus Macaques. Journal of Wildlife Management https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.21588 .
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/home.html (Website was updated)
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hostetler, M.E. and Archer, J. (Organized Symposium). 2018. Conserving Urban Biodiversity: Case Studies of What Worked (and What Did Not Work). URBIO conference. Cape Town, South Africa Sept 11-14, 100 people.
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: Hostetler, M. (presentation, part of Symposium). 2018. Cues to Care: Are City Landowners Willing to Make Eco-friendly Landscapes? Urban Biodiversity Conservation. URBIO conference. Cape Town, South Africa Sept 11-14, 80 people.
• Type: Websites Status: Other Year Published: 2018 Citation: WEC Extension http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/ (updates)
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2018 Citation: Knowles III, H.S., Hostetler, M.E., and L.S. Liebovitch. 2018 Describing the dynamics, distributions, and multiscale relationships in the time evolution of residential building energy consumption. Energy and Buildings 158: 310-325. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.09.071

Progress 10/01/16 to 09/30/17

Outputs
Target Audience:general public, developers, extension professionals and researchers, planners/policy makers, private landowners, natural resource managers (private and public lands) Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Participated in a symposium and panel regarding urban biodiversity conservation. International Urban Wildlife Conference. San Diego June 4-7. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Conducted 11 workshops and meetings with city/county planners, landscape architects, students, environmental consultants, and land owners, concerning Building for Birds and Conserving Biodiversity: FWC/UF Gainesville (May - 16 people); Jacksonville May 2 - met with city planners (5 people); Met with Alachua DEP about Building for Birds (5 people);. Jacksonville Consultants (2 consulting companies) May 15th (28 people); FWC/ UF Jacksonville (34 people) December 15; Met with Lake Eloise developer and UCF November 7 people; Urban Sustainability IST (included outside people) at Austin Carey in Florida, April 2, 2017ACF, Gainesville FL (Presented to agents on Birds and Forests); 37 people; Two consultations with UF building managers about bird safe buildings and data, two with GREBE club (25 people). Also conducting a webinar for the UF PIE Center (135 people) Total = 292 people Authored 5 blogs on Nature of Cities (http://www.thenatureofcities.com) Developed 8 educational panels for 4 kiosks situated in one neighborhood (Finley Woods, Gainesville, FL). These signs address the management and value of forests and trees, and wildlife habitat. Situated in high traffic areas, these panels reach over 300 residents. Developed and refined an online evaluation tool on forest remnants and trees and the species of birds that use these areas as habitat during breeding, winter, and migration seasons. We beta tested and marketed this tool and it available online http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/tools.html). Powerpoints (4): Building for Birds Evaluation Tool; Revised Green Leap (2); Bird strike powerpoint (2) One presentation in an organized symposium regarding forest/tree conservation, conservation development, and birds. Urban Wildlife in San Diego June 4-7, 80 people. Updated and managed Web sites, http://livinggreen.ifas.ufl.edu/; http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/landscaping/; and http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/gc/ ; and osprey page http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/ospreycam/ ; Bird Strike page http://www.wec.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/birdcollisions/index.php Sixty environmental consultants and city planners have used the building for bird tool to evaluate public and private lands to conserve forest habitat for birds. Conserving Biodiversity online course was updated https://www.gbrionline.org/education/biodiversity/ (Youth) Helped to conduct tree survey with 60 PKY youth on campus and gave a talk about Osprey Cam to Elementary Science Class - 15 people Helped Alachua County DEP with follow-up with Finley Stormwater Pond management (3 ponds) Osprey Nest Camera Project: In collaboration with WEC, I have installed a Earthcam camera on campus and it was streaming for a public audience • Bird Window Collision Project - UF. I am leading a team to conduct a study to determine problematic windows that need to be retro-fitted to prevent bird strikes. We have retrofitted several windows on campus and prevented bird window collisions What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Conduct in-person workshops with cities, environmental organizations, Extension personnel in different states, environmental consulting firms, and county planners about how to utilize the online building for birds education tool andconserve avian habitat. Publish two synthesis papers on findings for birds that use forest fragments and trees in urban areas for United States, Canada, and the Columbian region of South America

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Increased knowledge about evaluating urban design and conservation of bird habitat in cities and how to do conservation developments. This occurred across 11 workshops and meetings with city/county planners, landscape architects, students, environmental consultants, and land owners, concerning Building for Birds and Conserving Biodiversity in cities (157 people).

Publications

• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Building for Birds: A New Online Design Tool to Assess the Impact of Development. International Urban Wildlife Conference, May, San Diego, California
• Type: Websites Status: Accepted Year Published: 2017 Citation: Revised Building for Birds Online Evaluation Tool http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/home.html
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Revised M.E. Hostetler, and J.M. Archer. 2017. Building for Birds Evaluation Tool: Forest Fragments Used as Stopover Sites by Migrant Birds. Cooperative Extension Service Publication WEC 371
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2017 Citation: Revised M.E. Hostetler, and J.M. Archer. 2017. Building for Birds Evaluation Tool: Breeding and Wintering Habitat for Forest Birds. Cooperative Extension Service Publication WEC 372

Progress 05/26/16 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:International Activities: Translating empirical studies into a format that planners and developers can use requires a synthesis of studies. My student and I are currently working on forest birds in North America. In particular, I am collaborating with the NSF funded UrBioNet - Urban Biodiversity Research Coordinated Network and I am on the urban biodiversity monitoring and planning committee that is charged with: "To share findings and data the scientific community and with practitioners and students in land management, urban design, urban planning, and urban policy." We are developing a meta-data file (on birds that use forest fragments) that will be uploaded to the UrBioNet Network. We have finished this metadata and have submitted to UrBioNet. Also - with my time in New Zealand - 10 students and I collaborated with Te Ara Kakariki and Banks Peninsula Trust (see blog) and helped with restoration projects on 5 different properties (over 100 acres). Had one visiting scientist, Colin Meurk (New Zealand) I showed him Low Impact Development (LID) projects and they are using this experience to help get LID practices adopted in their regions. National Activities: I continue to be a part of a national working group (10 of us from various institutions) to develop design and management guidelines for biodiversity conservation in conservation developments. We have the first draft of the guidelines (5 chapters). Using these guidelines, scientists with Wildlife Conservation Society conducted a workshop with planners and biologists (30 people) through a small grant of the North Atlantic LCC. Going slow but have reviewed the chapters. My graduate student (Jan) and I developed and tested the Web site Evaluation tool (Building for Birds tool). This site allows people to enter area and patch sizes of forest fragments and then they can see how different designs affect habitat for forest birds (See http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/tools.html). Authored 2 blogs on Nature of Cities (http://www.thenatureofcities.com) Four online extension articles about birds and forests, http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/home.html State/Local Activities: Educational Signs in Neighborhoods: Developed 8 new educational panels for 4 new kiosks situated in two neighborhoods (Finley Woods, Gainesville, FL and Howie-in-the-Hills, FL). These signs address the management and value of forests and trees, and wildlife habitat. Situated in high traffic areas, these panels reach over 300 residents. Installed signs are reaching hundreds of homeowners. Osceola County and Stormwater Basins: As part of a National Wildlife and Wildlife Foundation grant with Osceola County Extension, I helped Eleanor Foreste (extension agent) to set up a bird monitoring site (at each of three enhanced stormwater ponds). I continue to help 5 volunteers and they are inputting counts into my bird monitoring site. Volunteers continue to record birds. Alachua Stormwater Open Space Credit: I continue to be a part of an advisory team (organized by Alachua County Environmental Protection Department) on how to revamp the open space credit (policy) for "no mow" stormwater basins that promote biodiversity. The initial efforts have failed as developers claimed the credits and then it was mowed subsequently by HOAs. The policy language has now been adopted and I am working with Alachua County EPD to reconstruct several county stormwater basins in order to demonstrate what these ponds should look like. A new language is moving through EPD and should be adopted soon. Solar Panel Farm, Biodiversity, and Agriculture: Through many phone conferences with Florida Power and Light, I made inroads to utilize sheep for managing vegetation (638 acre property in Central Florida). We are exploring predator proof fencing and payback times. This communication continues and we hope to expand to other FPL solar farms. Osprey Nest Camera Project: In collaboration with WEC, I have installed a Earthcam camera on campus and will have it streaming by Spring. Green development projects (350 acres): Working with Lake Eloise and Turtle Beach developers, I was able to help revise a development design were forests and trees will be conserved to provide bird habitat and to conserve and sequester carbon. Restoration of habitat along a lake and a small outparcel was also included (~20 acres). Plans are also included to educate about 1,000 residents. Ten environmental consultants increased knowledge and awareness about forests as habitat for migrating and resident birds. Bird Window Collision Project - UF. Collaborating with Office of Sustainability and representatives from Aramark, I am leading a team to conduct a study to determine problematic windows that need to be retro-fitted to prevent bird strikes. Students are learning how to use iNaturalist to enter bird strikes (http://www.inaturalist.org/home). We have identified 3 buildings to retrofit, and I am working with PPD to install films over windows (have about $20,000 to do this). Sabal Point Golf Restoration: Working with extension agent Taryn Sudol, I am providing consultation of restoring 18 holes for a residential community in Winter Haven. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Workshops Developed/Led and Group Discussions In Person Workshops: Mark Hostetler. Conserving Biodiversity in Subdivision Development. Lake County County Commission, Nov, Lake County Learning Modules: Conserving Biodiversity in Subdivision Development online training course - https://www.gbrionline.org/courses/conserving-biodiversity-subdivision-development/ How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Consultations Consultation with Lake Eloise Developer (3 meetings). Conservation Development (8 people that are on environmental consulting team) Consultations with developer and realtor at Finley Woods (March, April) Met with homeowners of Weschester to change out signs (April) Other Activities (Newsletters, Community of Practice, Program development) Developed 8 new educational panels for 4 new kiosks situated in two neighborhoods (Finley Woods, Gainesville, FL and Howie-in-the-Hills, FL) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?2016 WORK PLAN Continue to work with state specialists, county faculty, city/county planners, and private developers to locate neighborhoods to incorporate an educational program for residents about conservation. In particular, plan to work with homeowners at Finley Leaf, Westchester Market and communicate around the state of Florida and nationally about the Building for Birds tool and uses http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/tools.html Present a training session for Florida Association of Native Nurseries Help formulate a new "platinum" level certification for Florida Friendly Landscapes program Incorporate my Conserving Biodiversity in Subdivision Development Course into Master Naturalist Organize and run a natural resource Extension IST in April Continue consultations with Lake Eloise, Turtle Beach, Plum Creek, Town of Harmony, and developers of Santa Fe Villages, Celebration Point, and Springhills in terms of sustainable design and management of their properties. Continue consultations with Alachua County staff to create a policy and examples for enhanced stormwater basins; also consult with staff concerning that requires long term management and education of residents for developments with significant natural areas. Continue to blog with Huffington Post and The Nature of Cities Maintain the Harmony Green Development Site, WEC Extension, and the Living Green Site Promote and develop wildlife content around the Osprey Cam Offer study abroad course in New Zealand (July/August) Write several papers with Jane Anderson concerning Rhesus Macaque study Publish review papers with Juan Espinel and Jan Archer concerning birds that use forest fragments Organize a symposium at the International Urban Wildlife Meeting, Sand Diego, CA Work with county folks and FWC to train people and create pilot examples of conservation development. In particular, work with Sabal Point and Turtle beach neighborhoods to create wildlife habitat. Publish three papers with Hal Knowles Finish Conservation Design and Stewardship Guidelines for Local Land-Use Regulations white paper with Colorado State group Write Perspective Essay on landscape urbanism movement, ecology, and cues to care in landscape and urban planning.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? This year, I continue to have made a number of inroads with organizations and people to start addressing how we holistically address conserving biodiversity when land is subdivided. I highlight and explain a few activities below: International Activities: Translating empirical studies into a format that planners and developers can use requires a synthesis of studies. My student and I are currently working on forest birds in North America. In particular, I am collaborating with the NSF funded UrBioNet - Urban Biodiversity Research Coordinated Network and I am on the urban biodiversity monitoring and planning committee that is charged with: "To share findings and data the scientific community and with practitioners and students in land management, urban design, urban planning, and urban policy." We are developing a meta-data file (on birds that use forest fragments) that will be uploaded to the UrBioNet Network. We have finished this metadata and have submitted to UrBioNet. Also - with my time in New Zealand - 10 students and I collaborated with Te Ara Kakariki and Banks Peninsula Trust (see blog) and helped with restoration projects on 5 different properties (over 100 acres). Had one visiting scientist, Colin Meurk (New Zealand) I showed him Low Impact Development (LID) projects and they are using this experience to help get LID practices adopted in their regions. National Activities: I continue to be a part of a national working group (10 of us from various institutions) to develop design and management guidelines for biodiversity conservation in conservation developments. We have the first draft of the guidelines (5 chapters). Using these guidelines, scientists with Wildlife Conservation Society conducted a workshop with planners and biologists (30 people) through a small grant of the North Atlantic LCC. Going slow but have reviewed the chapters. My graduate student (Jan) and I developed and tested the Web site Evaluation tool (Building for Birds tool). This site allows people to enter area and patch sizes of forest fragments and then they can see how different designs affect habitat for forest birds (See http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/tools.html). Authored 2 blogs on Nature of Cities (http://www.thenatureofcities.com) Four online extension articles about birds and forests, http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/home.html State/Local Activities: Educational Signs in Neighborhoods: Developed 8 new educational panels for 4 new kiosks situated in two neighborhoods (Finley Woods, Gainesville, FL and Howie-in-the-Hills, FL). These signs address the management and value of forests and trees, and wildlife habitat. Situated in high traffic areas, these panels reach over 300 residents. Installed signs are reaching hundreds of homeowners. Osceola County and Stormwater Basins: As part of a National Wildlife and Wildlife Foundation grant with Osceola County Extension, I helped Eleanor Foreste (extension agent) to set up a bird monitoring site (at each of three enhanced stormwater ponds). I continue to help 5 volunteers and they are inputting counts into my bird monitoring site. Volunteers continue to record birds. Alachua Stormwater Open Space Credit: I continue to be a part of an advisory team (organized by Alachua County Environmental Protection Department) on how to revamp the open space credit (policy) for "no mow" stormwater basins that promote biodiversity. The initial efforts have failed as developers claimed the credits and then it was mowed subsequently by HOAs. The policy language has now been adopted and I am working with Alachua County EPD to reconstruct several county stormwater basins in order to demonstrate what these ponds should look like. A new language is moving through EPD and should be adopted soon. Solar Panel Farm, Biodiversity, and Agriculture: Through many phone conferences with Florida Power and Light, I made inroads to utilize sheep for managing vegetation (638 acre property in Central Florida). We are exploring predator proof fencing and payback times. This communication continues and we hope to expand to other FPL solar farms. Osprey Nest Camera Project: In collaboration with WEC, I have installed a Earthcam camera on campus and will have it streaming by Spring. Green development projects (350 acres): Working with Lake Eloise and Turtle Beach developers, I was able to help revise a development design were forests and trees will be conserved to provide bird habitat and to conserve and sequester carbon. Restoration of habitat along a lake and a small outparcel was also included (~20 acres). Plans are also included to educate about 1,000 residents. Ten environmental consultants increased knowledge and awareness about forests as habitat for migrating and resident birds. Bird Window Collision Project - UF. Collaborating with Office of Sustainability and representatives from Aramark, I am leading a team to conduct a study to determine problematic windows that need to be retro-fitted to prevent bird strikes. Students are learning how to use iNaturalist to enter bird strikes (http://www.inaturalist.org/home). We have identified 3 buildings to retrofit, and I am working with PPD to install films over windows (have about $20,000 to do this). Sabal Point Golf Restoration: Working with extension agent Taryn Sudol, I am providing consultation of restoring 18 holes for a residential community in Winter Haven.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Archer, J. and Hostetler, M. Building for Birds Evaluation Tool: Breeding and Wintering Habitat for Forest Birds http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw417 Building for Birds Evaluation Tool: Forest Fragments Used as Stopover Sites by Migrant Birds https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw416
• Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: M.E. Hostetler and Archer, J. (Organized Symposium). Building for Birds: An Evaluation Tool for Urban Landscapes. URBIO-IFLA Conference. Panama City, Panama (October).
• Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: http://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/buildingforbirds/web/home.html
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Jan-Michael Archer, MS. (SNRE) - Graduated Dec/2016 Developing Biometric Equations to Evaluate the Effects of Urban Development on Forest Birds
• Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hal Knowles, PhD. (SNRE) - Graduated Dec/2016 Fractal analysis on energy consumption patterns in households