Community-based Biodiversity Assessment Training

1. Community-based Biodiversity Assessment Training Watershed Science and Technical Conference September 15th, 2009

2. 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.

3. PROBLEM:Habitat loss & degradation Source: Environmental Advocates of New York Source: National Weather Service

4. SOLUTION:Local land-use planners & decision makers • conservation advisory councils • planning boards • land trusts • citizen’s groups • conservation organizations

5. Goals of the Biodiversity Assessment Training • Conservation of • Hudson Valley ecosystems • Identification of important biodiversity resources • Better site plan review • Townwide and inter-municipal planning • Proactive conservation-oriented outreach

6. Biodiversity Assessment Methods Step A Map analysis & information gathering Step B Field assessment Step C Conservation planning & action

7. 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• Hudson River Estuary Program’s Biodiversity Outreach Program • existing reports, field notes, other published and unpublished documents

8. 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

14. Field assessment

15. Workshops about land use planning

16. Final products Habitat report Habitat map Community members trained in biodiversity assessment

17. 10-month training

18. 3-day short course

19. What groups have accomplished: • Incorporate into site plan reviews • Habitat Assessment Guidelines

20. What groups have accomplished: • Incorporate into site plan reviews • Habitat Assessment Guidelines • Habitat maps for planning board

21. What groups have accomplished: • Incorporate into site plan reviews • Habitat Assessment Guidelines • Habitat maps for planning board • Map new areas

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. New directions for groups: • Habitat mapping of watersheds • Incorporate into project design phase of new developments • Carbon footprints

26. Summary • Decisions with large biodiversity impacts are made every day by local boards • Local boards have little biological information to use in their environmental reviews or planning • Our program provides them with biodiversity information, and the skills and techniques to create that information for other areas of their community

27. Andrew Meyer Hudsonia’s Biodiversity Educator ameyer@bard.edu, 845-758-0600 www.hudsonia.org/education Hudsonia