1.3 Objectives of this Report

This report brings theoretical and practical information to bear on the challenge of revegetating roadsides with native plants. Written by and for project designers and field-based practitioners, it synthesizes a comprehensive, holistic approach that can be used to effectively revegetate roadsides and other similarly disturbed areas. Given the unique ecological factors at play on each project, the report is not prescriptive, but rather provides principles and a step-by-step process for designers to use in the field to generate and implement their own locally appropriate, context-sensitive revegetation plan. Examples and proven strategies are offered to serve these goals. Topics covered include how to:

• Improve interagency cooperation in order to think ecologically about road modifications and make revegetation an integral part of road design
• Coordinate information and efforts to bring multiple disciplines such as soil science, genetics, botany, ecology, wildlife science, landscape architecture and engineering together for a holistic approach to revegetation
• Integrate goals for native vegetation establishment with transportation goals for safety, function, and efficiency
• Mitigate harsh, drastically disturbed conditions of road disturbance areas to enable native plants to establish through natural colonization and/or active replanting
• Apply a step-by-step planning, implementation, and monitoring process, including mid-course corrections, to overcome potential pitfalls, resulting in cost-effective, successful establishment of native plants
• Share knowledge, including new revegetation tools and techniques