The following is a (potentially) true scenario….
Hedger Brothers Concrete Production, here in Jonesboro, intends to divest itself of its current
base of operations immediately west of the A-State Bird Observatory & Ecological Research
Area (BOERA). The general description of the Hedger Bros. property is 10.25 ha of land that
partially borders a channelized tributary to Whiteman Creek. Over the years, various pieces of
machinery have been discarded in the western 65% of the land, but the eastern portion that
borders the BOERA is a relatively intact parcel of mixed mesic hardwoods. Railroad beds and a
powerline easement define the north and south borders of the property, both of which must be
kept clear.
The current owners have approached A-State about possibly donating the property to the
University. Officials representing A-State want to develop a collaborative relationship with
representatives from the City Council in such a way that promotes a higher overall quality of life
in central Jonesboro. As a respected conservation biologist, you have been tasked with
developing a plan for the entire parcel. You haven’t been given much money for the project, but
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you do have assistance from both City and federal governments in the form of: (a) land-moving
equipment; (b) your choice of various tree seedlings for planting; (c) pumps &/or wells to
manipulate water levels to/from Whiteman Creek; and, (d) the personnel to perform the work.
Of course, an effective plan depends on the specific goals that you wish to achieve. As part of
the collaboration, representatives from A-State and the Jonesboro City Council agree to a set of
broader objectives for this property: education, research, and improved quality of life for all
members of the community (i.e., “service”).
Assume that all existing infrastructure and scrap will be removed and properly disposed. As
such, the starting conditions of the land are that the western two-thirds is undergoing very early
succession whereas the eastern third (bordering the BOERA) contains a habitat matrix of mature
trees and — because of the creek along the southern border — natural rates of biogeochemical
cycling. You must develop the specific goals for any alteration &/or long-term management of
the property. As you develop your plan, keep in mind the current and future land use, and the
objectives espoused by the collaborators. The more aligned your goals are with those objectives,
the better your plan will be received. But(!), you cannot propose a set of goals that is so
ambitious &/or diffuse that none of the objectives can be met. In other words, there are limits on
the logistical complexity for whatever plan you develop, and the species diversity that could be
accommodated in the “final product.”
In outlining your plan, you should mention any stakeholders that should be involved in the
decisions &/or long-term management, and an approximate timeline and order in which certain
steps need to be taken in order to achieve your goals. Think about who you envision being the
end-users of this property, and your own interests in conservation biology. Also consider the
parcel size and how that might influence the biodiversity in the “final product” (i.e., by natural
dispersal events or through repatriation efforts that you initiate). If it helps illustrate your
proposed plan, feel free to draft a sketch of the before and after appearances for the entire property.
