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WHERE WE WERE WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE ARE GOING FY19 Short Course

October 16,2018

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WHERE WE WEREWildflowers & Beautification

October 16,2018

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Where we were

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“Don’t mow until the wildflowers havegone to seed” – stated in 1937

memorandum

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Where we were

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• TxDOT has worked toward enhancing the beautification of the Right-of-Ways over the years.

• TxDOT has continually preserved the Right-of-Ways by practicing proper mowing and herbicide applications.

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Mowing

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Mowing is critical part of keeping the ROW beautiful and healthy.

Wildflowers must set seed before mowing. TxDOT emphasizes this in order to have wildflowers for the next year.

This reduces the cool season component to allow warm season grass establishment.

7 inch minimum height allows perennials to flourish by being in the sun’s full range.

7 inch minimum will not harm milkweed, and other late blooming pollinator plants.

Non-mow areas are also established for fall pollinator habitat and to reducemaintenance costs

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Where we are

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Since 1932, TxDOT has used native wildflowers and grasses to line Texas’ 800,000 acres of roadside.

– TxDOT sows approximately 30,000 lbs. of seed each year, which seeds approximately 15,000 acres of right of way

– Native grasses and wildflowers help provide food for pollinators, habitat for wildlife, water conservation and erosion control

Protecting and preserve these investments, TxDOT practices integrated vegetation management.

– TxDOT’s mowing practices encourage and supports pollinator habitat by strategically delaying mowing to ensure wildflower seed maturation

– Installation of non-mow areas for wildlife habitat establishment & preservation

– Each TxDOT district has a vegetation manager who oversees proper application of techniques, which vary by road type and function

By establishing sustainable vegetation management programs that specifically address wildflower preservation and protection, TxDOT has maintained biodiversity while reducing mowing and maintenance costs.

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

EDUCATION AND OUTREACHMonarch Waystations at TxDOT Safety Rest Areas

Safety Rest Areas

– 12 Travel Information Centers

– 80 Safety Rest Areas

– 21 Major Highways

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Where we are

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In 2015, TxDOT facilitated a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Native Plant Society of Texas (NPSOT) to allow for those entities to plan, establish and maintain monarch gardens at TxDOT Safety Rest Areas.

– These areas provide resources necessary for monarch butterflies to reproduce and continue their migration

– Each area includes educational signage and opportunities for the traveling public to engage in monarch conservation

– Four such installations are currently operational:

• North and Southbound Hill County Safety Rest Areas on IH-35 near Hillsboro

• North and southbound Bell County Safety Rest Areas on IH-35 near Salado

• TxDOT plans to plant pollinator-friendly species at all of it’s 80 rest areas.

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Where we are

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HARDEMAN COUNTY SAFTEY REST AREA FALL MIGRATIONOCTOBER 3, 2019

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Where we are

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TxDOT has partnered with Texas A&M University Kingsville, Tarleton State University, Texas AgriLifeResearch and Sul Ross State University to develop regionally appropriate native plant seed sources for use by TxDOT and other entities.

– This work has resulted in 30 new native seed mix varieties with both native grasses & pollinator plants and significant advancements in seeding methodology.

– As a result of this research, seeding specifications have changed for over half of TxDOT’s 25 districts

TxDOT will continue to foster collaborative partnerships with entities focused on providing habitat for pollinators as well as propagating native seeds for use along Texas’ roadways.

Where we are

Train TxDOT licensed Herbicide Applicators (1,300 licensed employees) during Pesticide Recertification Courses– Vegetation & Wildflower Identification

– Proper Herbicide Timing and Applications

– Mandatory, Annual Trainings

Educate and Support Districts – Informational Pamphlet Development & Wildflower Guides

– Importance of Pollinator Plants, their Placement, Propagation and Maintenance

– Seed Mix Recommendations

– Biennial Meetings

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WHERE WE ARE GOING Creating Awareness and Beautification

Promote public awareness of the monarch butterfly, honey bee and pollinator conservation as well as the central flyway and migratory path (Interstate 35) of the monarch butterfly.

Organizes educational materials, protects and manages pollinator habitats, and develops strategies for pollinator- friendly seed mixes.

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Monarch Highway Logo

Where we are going - Monarch Highway

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Where we are going - GREEN RIBBON PROJECT

GREEN RIBBON PROJECT…… AND HOW IT AFFECTS TXDOT

What is it :

Non Attainment / Near Non Attainment Districts who qualify for air quality issues.

How will the GREEN RIBBON Pollinator project affect the Texas:

MNTFSS is looking to improve and enhance the beautification of the districts by assisting with pollinator plantings throughout the districts.

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QUESTIONS?

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