A simple version of a PROPOSAL might go like this (this example is for a prairie restoration project):

1. Weeds will be hand-pulled. Those with deep, well-established roots will be herbicided with Roundup. Weeds to the east and adjacent to the plot will be herbicided in a buffer band 20 feet wide. We will recommend continued mowing and herbiciding of a buffer strip east of the project site.

2. Surviving plants on the site include Idaho fescue on mounds and smaller Idaho fescue on the gravel flats to the west end of former plot number x. The current proposal will avoid disturbing these populations.

3. Alternatives. The previous classes experimented with shapes and forms of mounds. We intend to vary planting densities and mulch amendments, while leaving exisiting landforms undisturbed.

4. Plant species to be used will be Eriophyllum lanatum, Idaho fescue, Prunella vulgaris, Luzula campestris and Aster curtus. These species are available in container form in the CUH hoophouse.

5. Our proposed design: we will vary plant densities. In addition, half of all plots will be covered with 2" of woodchips, and half will receive no mulch.

6. See previous paragraph.

7. We will need (x number of plants of what species), wood chips, 25 stakes, 8 fence posts.

(Your proposal may be more elaborate than this example, if you need it to be.)

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A REVIEW of this proposal might look like this:

We like your proposal because.....

Planting densities at the site have resulted in lots of open space. Increasing the density of restoration plants and adding to the species that are already at the site will result in a greater coverage and perhaps greater resistance to invasion. It is probably a good idea to see if decreasing the spacing of plants results in better coverage, or just wastes plant material

Here are some positive suggestions:

Plant your different species in a fixed geometric pattern and draw a dimensioned map of the pattern so that the class next year can come back to the site and find where plants are supposed to be and whether or not they have survived.

Things you might consider changing:

If you are putting your design over an existing and variable group of mounds and flat areas, you should probably pair treatments (one high density treatment and one low density on mounds; one high density and one low density in the flats; etc).

Here is some information for you:

You can probably find some ideas about spacing plants in Packard's book, "The Tallgrass Restoration Handbook".