community-based biodiversity assessment training watershed science and technical conference...
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Community-based Biodiversity Assessment Training
Watershed Science and Technical Conference
September 15th, 2009
Biodiversity in the Hudson River Valley
85% of NY’s amphibian species
73% of NY’s reptile species
87% of NY’s breeding bird species
92% of NY’s mammal species
Source: GAP Analysis of the Hudson River Valley, Cornell, 2001.
PROBLEM:Habitat loss & degradation
Source: Environmental Advocates of New York
Source: National Weather Service
SOLUTION:Local land-use planners & decision makers
• conservation advisory councils
• planning boards• land trusts• citizen’s groups• conservation
organizations
Conservation of Hudson Valley ecosystems
• Identification of important biodiversity resources
• Better site plan review
• Townwide and inter-municipal planning
• Proactive conservation-oriented outreach
Goals of the Biodiversity Assessment Training
Biodiversity Assessment Methods
Step A Map analysis & information gathering
Step B Field assessment
Step C Conservation planning & action
Step A: Information Gathering
• New York Natural Heritage Program
• Hudson River Estuary Program’s Biodiversity Outreach Program
• existing reports, field notes, other published and unpublished documents
Step A: Map Analysis
• USGS topographic map(s)
• county soil survey
• NYS bedrock geology map
• NYS Freshwater Wetlands and National Wetlands Inventory maps
• stereoscopic aerial photos
• orthophotos
Field assessment
Workshops about land use planning
Final products
Habitat reportHabitat mapCommunity members trained
in biodiversity assessment
10-month training
3-day short course
What groups have accomplished:
• Incorporate into site plan reviews
– Habitat Assessment Guidelines
What groups have accomplished:
• Incorporate into site plan reviews– Habitat Assessment Guidelines– Habitat maps for planning board
What groups have accomplished:
• Incorporate into site plan reviews– Habitat Assessment Guidelines– Habitat maps for planning board
• Map new areas
What groups have accomplished:
• Incorporate into site plan reviews– Habitat Assessment Guidelines– Habitat maps for planning board
• Map new areas• New conservation ordinances
•Town of Amenia•Town of Pleasant Valley•Town of Putnam Valley•Town of Hyde Park•Town of Poughkeepsie
What groups have accomplished:
• Incorporate into site plan reviews– Habitat Assessment Guidelines– Habitat maps for planning board
• Map new areas• New conservation ordinances• Educational outreach
What groups have accomplished:
• Incorporate into site plan reviews– Habitat Assessment Guidelines– Habitat maps for planning board
• Map new areas• New conservation ordinances• Educational outreach
– Public lecture series– Documents for land holders
New directions for groups:
• Habitat mapping of watersheds• Incorporate into project design phase of new
developments• Carbon footprints
Summary
• Decisions with large biodiversity impacts are made every day by local boards
• Our program provides them with biodiversity information, and the skills and techniques to create that information for other areas of their community
• Local boards have little biological information to use in their environmental reviews or planning
Andrew MeyerHudsonia’s Biodiversity Educator
[email protected], 845-758-0600www.hudsonia.org/education
Hudsonia