Virginia Native Plant Marketing Partnership Forum 

You’re invited to a Virginia Native Plant Marketing Partnership Forum to continue the efforts of organizations, agencies and individuals striving to increase the public's use of native plants.  We will be working on strategies to address priorities identified by the Partnership's Steering Team in August 2013.

Forum Goals:

• To continue communication between organizations, agencies and individuals interested in or already promoting native plants;
• To further develop ideas and next steps toward a statewide social marketing campaign that supports regional efforts;
• To outline the steps and resources needed to develop a Virginia native plant propagation protocol;
• To identify opportunities for supporting a VA Conservation Landscape Professional Certification program.

Morning Agenda:
Participants in Norfolk will be able to view the Culpeper presentations via webcast.  

• Virginia Witmer, Virginia CZM Program will lead updates on the activities of the Virginia Native Plant Marketing Partnership, and we'll then open the floor to discussion of a statewide campaign.
• Dot Field, VA Dept of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage will provide an overview of the concept of a native plant propagation protocol and share examples of other states’ efforts. There are many aspects to consider, such as seed collection; evaluation and development; production by private growers; seed storage; and partnerships between public agencies, academia and the private sector.
• Carol Heiser, VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries - Habitat Partners© will provide a brief introduction about a new Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional (CBLP) Certification initiative, which was originally proposed by the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC) and is now gaining support through a collaborative Consortium being led by Shereen Hughes, Wetlands Watch.

Afternoon Agenda:
The afternoon session will be conducted at both locations but independently, and the notes from the facilitated discussions will be compiled and shared.

• In Culpeper -
  Carol Heiser, VA Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries - Habitat Partners© with Christin Jolicoeur, Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council (CCLC) and Angela Neilan, VA Dept of Environmental Quality will facilitate a discussion in the afternoon at the Culpeper location about the Partnership’s role in a proposed CCLC Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification program. This is an opportunity to provide your ideas about how the Partnership could participate in providing direction and support for such an effort, including potential sponsorship and assistance with communication and branding.  
  
  In Norfolk -
  Shereen Hughes, Wetlands Watch and Julia Hillegass, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission, will lead this discussion at the satelite location on the TCC Norfolk Campus.  Download backgrounder on efforts to develop a Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Certification.      

A more detailed agenda will be sent to you after registration closes.

There is NO CHARGE to attend the Forum at the Culpeper location  or the Norfolk satellite location, but registration is required.  

Morning refreshments will be provided at both the Culpeper and Norfolk location.  Lunch will be provided at the Culpeper location only - lunch is on your own at the Norfolk satelite.  

DEADLINE to register is January 21, 2014.  
(Please indicate when you register that you will participate in the forum from the Norfolk satellite location

Questions? Contact Virginia Witmer at Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov or (804) 698-4320.

Virginia Native Plant Marketing Partnership Purpose:  

To identify opportunities for collaboration on Virginia native plant communication and marketing efforts;

To form a cohesive and coordinated statewide strategy that encourages the public’s use of plants native to Virginia;

To  promote the improvement of wildlife habitat and water quality with conservation measures that help meet Virginia’s Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) goals for reducing excess nutrient flow into Virginia’s waters.

The partnership is guided by a Steering Team of members representing organizations with a regional and state-wide mission and focus on native plant marketing.

Virginia Native Plant Marketing Partnership Website

Organizations Currently Represented on Virginia Native Plant Marketing Partnership Steering Team:
Albermarle County for Piedmont Native Plant Initiative
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council
Flora of Virginia
Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Norfolk Botanical Gardens
Northern Virginia Regional Commission
Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (Chair)
Virginia Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries
Virginia Dept of Environmental Quality
Virginia Dept of Forestry
Virginia Dept of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Heritage Division
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Virginia Master Gardener Program
Virginia Master Naturalist Program
Virginia Native Plant Society
Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association
VA Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Wetlands Watch

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