Wildlands is excited about the 2012 National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference taking place in May in Sacramento, right here in our backyard. We are strongly supporting this event by sponsoring the mitigation banking conference, co-hosting the welcoming reception, participating in several presentations, and offering tours of nearby Wildlands properties.
First, Wildlands will be co-hosting the Welcoming Reception on opening night with JT&A, Inc. and Timbervest, LLC (Wednesday 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm in the Exhibit Area).
Wildlands is taking an active presenting role at the Mitigation Banking & Ecosystem Banking Conference, including sessions on Conservation and Fish Banking, Emerging Markets, and Trends in Mitigation Banking presented or moderated by experts from our staff. Here are details on Wildlands’ NMBA conference presentations.
Wednesday, May 9
Session 2: Conservation and Fish Banking
Julie Mentzer will be presenting on the Liberty Island Conservation Bank for Salmon, Delta Smelt and Longfin Smelt, one of three topics under the Conservation and Fish Banking session. (Co-author: Carl Jensen, ICF Jones & Stokes International)
Thursday, May 10
10:00 am – 11:30 am
Session 5: Emerging Markets
Wayne White will be the Moderator for this session focusing on Emerging Markets (3 Topics: The Ohio River Basin Water Quality Trading Project; New Environmental Mitigation Policy in British Columbia, Canada; and Effectiveness of Biodiversity Banking from Perspective of Japan)
11:30 am – 1:45 pm
Luncheon Plenary Session: Trends in Banking
Steve Morgan will be the Moderator for this Luncheon Plenary on banking trends (3 Topics: ILF Programs Nationally & the Movement to Utilize ILF Funds to Purchase Mitigation Banking Credits; Louisiana Restoration and Contracting; and Mitigation Banking Industry: Growing Shrinking or Consolidating?)
Wildlands’ Director of Business Development, Wayne White, is a National Mitigation Banking Association board member and has been assisting the conference steering committee in developing the agenda and preparing for two of five field trips planned as part of the conference. We looking forward to showcasing our salmon, delta smelt and longfin smelt conservation bank, the Liberty Island Conservation Bank, located in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The project involved a major tidal and flow-through channel restoration effort on the 186-acre site. The Bank is a collaborative effort between Wildlands, California Department of Fish and Game (DFG), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and is utilized to mitigate permitted impacts to fisheries habitat throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
Wildlands’ Gilsizer Slough Giant Garter Snake (GGS) Mitigation Complex will be featured on a separate tour. The Complex is comprised of over 620 acres of created and preserved wetland and open water channel habitat dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the aquatic giant garter snake. Located in Sutter County, approximately nine miles southwest of Yuba City, the Complex has been utilized by both public works agencies and private developers as a GGS mitigation solution to fulfill permit obligations.
“Wildlands is pleased to be able to continue to sponsor the National Mitigation Banking Conference as we have for the past 12 plus years,” said Steve Morgan, Wildlands CEO. “The assemblage of mitigation bankers, state and federal regulators and affiliated parties has proven to be a valuable vehicle to refine, strengthen, and grow our unique industry. As always we feel very great full to be apart of the mitigation banking industry as well as the Mitigation Banking Association.”
For more information on the National Mitigation & Ecosystem Banking Conference, please visit their website.
