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• existing reports, field notes, other published and unpublished documents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

ameyer@bard.edu, 845-758-0600www.hudsonia.org/education

Hudsonia