Community-based Biodiversity Assessment Training Watershed Science and Technical Conference September 15 th, 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Program Hudson River Estuary Program’s Biodiversity Outreach Program existing reports, field notes, other published and unpublished documents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 report Habitat map Community 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 Meyer Hudsonia’s Biodiversity Educator Hudsoni a