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Since many wetlands and upland habitats are located on private property, the RWMWD often relies on participation from landowners to implement BMPs. Educating and gaining landowner buy-in can often be a challenge. In addition, limited land availability can be a deterrent to natural resource protection, as property owners may not have sufficient land to provide substantial natural buffers around water resources. Forming partnerships with other organizations is an important way to address these challenges. With limited staff and funding, it can be a challenge to implement ecological restoration and natural resource management initiatives. However, the RWMWD needs to continue expanding its understanding of ecological restoration in an urban setting by keeping up with new ideas, information, and technology. Particular questions that staff are addressing include: 1. What are the effects of stormwater runoff on urban wetland ecosystems? 2. What are the most effective large-scale methods to control invasive species? 3. How do we restore ecologically sotmd shoreland areas in urban watersheds? The RWMWD will continue to seek out opportunities to employ innovative technologies and will partner with research organizations to answer key questions. The District will also continue to implement its wetlands permitting program as well as monitor ecosystem health over time. Specific efforts include: • Continuing wetlands biomonitoring and lake aquatic plant monitoring • Surveying lake shoreland conditions and developing management strategies • Analyzing wetlands monitoring database to determine stormwater effects • Continuing to manage and maintain ecological restoration sites • Motutoring and controlling pt.uple loosestrife in shoreland and wetland areas • Reassessing the ecosystem conditions at the Tamarack Swamp, tracking change over time, and developing management strategies The RWMWD will continue to integrate education into natural resource management projects. For example, the RWMWD office building will be a demonstration site for best management practices and native landscaping. The RWMWD will continue to build partnerships by: • Assisting other agencies and organizations in ecological restoration • Offering schools service learning opporttuuties through restoration projects • Facilitating District advisory commission • Expanding the BMP land management program • Organizing volunteer efforts for restaration maintenance activities • Bolstering commitments from other agencies to share in the management and maintenance of restoration sites The RWMWD will develop and implement methods for measuring, tracking, and reporting progress. www. rwmwd . org The District partners with cities, counties, and other agencies to promote and implement natural resource management, ecological restorations and BMPs that result in improved water quality and an increase of areas using ecological restoration. Increasingly, landowners use BMPs to improve the state of natural resources (i.e. restore ecological systems and improve water quality). The District incorporates natural resotuces management into its flood control and water quality projects. District projects integrate volunteer, education, and research efforts. Biological data and research informs nariual resource management decisions. The District manages wetlands to achieve no-net-loss of acreage, function, and value. t.~t~ Pltal n Shfl~~nd Restores V~dng Tau arxl Plot Gt~de ~~ TFze walking tour and plant guide summarizes and illustrates each restoration area and contains over 250 photos of both beneficial native plants and noxioars reeds. I'or more irifor~natiorr about this guide, visit the RWMt~VDs website. Page 8