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Preliminary Model <br />1) GRE contacts landowner of need to destroy trees and presents the brochure or software <br />describing what the land could look like. The landowner may even have heard about the project <br />from phenology shows, such as presented by John and Peter. <br />2) Landowner fills out a short questionnaire on projects that are of interest, e.g. monarchs, <br />general butterfly gardens, wildflowers, herps. Detailed information is then provided by <br />landscaping / plant providers based on recommendations of project owners. <br />3) Land is landscaped, planted and maintained accordingly. The average landowner knows little <br />of the process of converting turf grass or woods to prairie or edge plantings. We'll need to <br />supply at least a vision of what the land could look like, where to get plants and how to go about <br />accomplishing the work. This involves a brochure or software package with images of <br />appropriate plants, GRE's height requirements, providers of landscaping services and appropriate <br />plants, suggestions for specific habitat modifications (hibernacula, etc). <br />4) Landowner / citizen-scientist starts making observations and reporting them on the web or <br />thru other arrangements. Participation is optional. <br />5) Some projects might require training sessions of the landowners / citizen - scientists. In some <br />cases, it could be accomplished via written instructions on the web. In other cases, hands -on <br />instruction might be required. <br />6) Scientists analyze data and report the results via the usual scientific outlets but in venues <br />accessible to the public. This is necessary to encourage the continued participation of the <br />landowner. <br />Funding has not yet been discussed. This might be better examined after interested parties have <br />been identified and preliminary goals have been established. GRE has a good record on this <br />issue and has funded projects through Wolf Ridge concerning phenology and climate change. I <br />have no doubt that they have funded other projects, as well. <br />Time commitments for most people would be minimal and might even be simply putting their <br />materials on the web. GRE still has the responsibility for contacting the landowners and <br />informing them of their options. <br />If this project is successful, there is no reason it couldn't be used as a model for other areas <br />around the state or nation. <br />Participants <br />Mr. Poetter, my contact at GRE, is an active Audubon member and has a good understanding of <br />the issues. <br />Only a few people have been contacted so far. <br />