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

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Hudson River Estuary Program’s Biodiversity Outreach Program existing reports, field notes, other published and unpublished documents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

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