Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Introductions: participants from universities and industry Heidi Kratsch provided an overview of committee development, history, function, and objectives. Discussion emerged concerning the definition of "native plant" as it impacts this committee. No attempt was made to develop a solid definition: comments were made that the definition is dependent on end use (reclamation or landscape), but that plants referred to as native should be derived regionally and adapted to local conditions. Membership composition was discussed. Heidi Kratsch indicated that membership and/or involvement is encouraged from both pubic institutions and industry representatives within the Intermountain West, but no limitations are in place and all interested parties are encouraged to become official members. A project "go-around" was held to educate about members current work projects. Subcommittee Reports: Proposal Writing - H. Kratsch, T. Dougher, K. Panter; Education - J. Klett, S. Love, K. Panter; Website - H. Kratsch, S. Love, T. Dougher, G. Niu, Bob Gorman A new committee was proposed to explore partnerships for organizing an ongoing "Landscaping with Native Plants" conference and developing other information outlets: Heidi Kratsch, Jim Klett, Beth MacFawn, Laura Smith. Discussion of Benchmarks Plant Evaluation Tasks: Discussion was had about the process of developing a standard plant evaluation system, including the development of written protocols. A benchmark would be a functioning evaluation system. An earlier benchmark would be the establishment of protocols. A later benchmark would be publication of evaluation data. Concern was expressed about having evaluation objectives that were too broad. The consensus was that this was unavoidable because of the nature of the proposed research. A committee was organized to develop an evaluation protocol: Tracy Dougher, Jim Klett, Mikel Stevens, Genhua Niu, Heidi Kratsch. Education: One identifiable benchmark will be to have a WERA-1013 member participate in state native plant conferences (three or more). Another benchmark is to develop partnerships to organize and sustain educational conferences, specifically to educate landscape designers. Industry Forum: Suggestion was made to have the WERA-1013 group develop a list of approved plants. It could be a product of the evaluation/testing process. Include ecological information on plant species on website, how to incorporate native plants into a landscape. Stressed need for more woody species, also dry shade species. Need research updates on website and presented at conferences. Considerable discussion was had on helping industry deal with the lack of match between demand and supply. The committee may be able to help via education. Election of Officers (2-Year Term): Stephen Love, Chair; Tracy Dougher, Secretary Next Meetings: University of Wyoming, 2009 - possibly October, University of Idaho, 2010.

WERA-1013 has been established; the proposal writing committee from WDC-011 completed its work and has been dissolved.