These ecosystems provide vital habitat for many iconic species found in the West.
Research and Development Fund
Lithium Americas Corp. has recently established the Great Basin Sagebrush Restoration Fund with the University of Nevada, Reno Foundation. The purpose of the Fund is to advance research and development towards improved, cost-effective restoration of degraded sagebrush rangelands. The team assembled by lead researcher Tamzen Stringham includes esteemed colleagues from the University and other institutions with diverse backgrounds in plant community and landscape ecology, bioengineering, and wildlife biology. The diversity of experts will combine to engineer efficient, technology-driven solutions to rangeland rehabilitation.
Benefit
This knowledge will benefit rangeland rehabilitation efforts by improving the effectiveness of rehabilitation techniques at the project and across landscapes. The Fund intends to share and spread knowledge through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, workshops and conferences. Such knowledge can then be deployed by resource managers, mine and energy operators, conservationists, and ranchers to maximize returns on rehabilitation investment.
More Funding is Needed
Lithium Americas Corp. has provided the seed funding to kick-start key priorities in advanced seed technology, with the intent to improve sagebrush seed germination and plant establishment efficacy. However, the research objectives that the Fund intends to explore is more expansive, and includes, for example, predictive rehabilitation modelling, advanced habitat mapping/monitoring using remote sensing acquired through drone technology, and other pragmatic solutions that are aimed to improve the return on habitat rehabilitation investments. The Fund needs more funding to advance these research opportunities.
The Fund has a view to rapidly grow and advance the knowledge base related to sage grouse habitat restoration. We intend to create the largest sagebrush rehabilitation research fund in the world, and we encourage partners with a shared interest and vision to participate in this mission.
To learn more about the GBSR Fund, please contact either:
Tamzen K. Stringham, Ph.D.
1664 N. Virginia St.
University of Nevada, Reno / MS 202
Reno, Nevada 89557
775-784-6755 (office)
tstringham@unr.edu
Alexi Zawadzki
President of North American Operations
Lithium Americas Corp.
3685 Lakeside Drive
Reno, Nevada 89509
www.lithiumamericas.com
alexi.zawadzki@lithiumamericas.com
