TUI Program Areas
The Understory Initiative is organized around four main program areas, Partnership Building, Ecological Restoration & Monitoring, Restoration Services, and the Vesper Meadow Education Program. Each of these focal areas contains multiple projects, all with similar objectives.
Partnership Building
We believe that partnership and collaboration is the fuel that drives ecological restoration. The regional partnerships we lead and participate in focus on sharing knowledge across disciplines, integrating diverse perspectives (especially those of indigenous communities) and collaboratively solving regional ecological problems.
Restoration Services
We feel that native seeds and plants are the currency of ecological restoration. These programs are focused on the production of native seed lots, restoration planning, and on-the-ground work that supports native species habitats.
Ecological Research & Monitoring
Ecological restoration is an ever-developing practice. It requires creative and adaptive management approaches that are based on subtle changes we see on the landscape. Our Ecological Research and Monitoring programs seek to track changes on the landscape and better understand the effects of various restoration approaches.
Vesper Meadow
An educational program nested at the edge of the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument, inspiring a culture of land stewardship through science, native food cultivation, and nature-inspired art.
Current Program Highlights
Solar Energy Pollinators & Restoration Initiative
Exploring innovative, efficient ways of establishing pollinator habitat on unused farmland beneath solar panel arrays.
Rare Plant Monitoring Network
Partnering with federal agencies and community volunteers to find, monitor, and conserve rare plants throughout Oregon.
Native Seed Crops @ OSU Extension & Sampson Creek Preserve
Growing native plants for seed, and providing educational opportunities in native plant cultivation for OSU Master Gardeners.
Rogue Native Plant Partnership
Facilitating a robust native plant materials economy for the Rogue Basin since 2016.
Southern oregon monarch & pollinator initiative
Providing site visits and technical assistance to landowners interested in restoring or creating pollinating insect habitat on their land.
Umpqua Native Plant Partnership
A new partnership to build a robust native plant materials economy for the Umpqua Basin.
Past Programs
CASCADE SISKIYOU NATIONAL MONUMENT MEADOW RESTORATION
Partnering with the BLM to conduct long-term research into organic methods of invasive plant management in oak savannah habitats.