Printer-friendlyNew York State Dragonfly and Damselfly Survey
In recent years there has been a slow, but steady growth in the popularity of the study of various insect groups beginning with butterflies, and more recently dragonflies. The recent interest in dragonflies began in the early 1990s, spurred in part by the publication of the first field guides to these fascinating insects.
New York State began receiving funding from a new federal funding source, the State Wildlife Grants Program, in 2003. A required element for this funding is the development of a New York State Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS), complete with conservation recommendations for species designated as "Species of Greatest Conservation Need".
Given our incomplete knowledge of the status of dragonflies and damselflies in New York State, the increasing public interest in these insects, and the need to develop the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, the timing was right for beginning a formal statewide survey of the dragonflies and damselflies of New York State.
The New York Dragonfly and Damselfly Survey (NYDDS) is a 3-year project that will span the 2005, 2006, and 2007 field seasons. The results of the NYDDS will be summarized and presented in a variety of formats, including a high quality book and electronic files for use by conservation biologists and planners. The information gained as a result of this survey will be important in the development of New York's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy with respect to the conservation of these insects.
The New York Dragonfly and Damselfly Survey is a project of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources, and the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP). The project is being supported with funds from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grants program, administered by NYSDEC.
For more information contact:
Erin White
NYSDEC-DFWMR
NY Natural Heritage Program
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-4757
Or e-mail: nydds@gw.dec.state.ny.us
Materials for Participants
Registration Form: (PDF, 1 page, 106.7 kb) - NOTE: Please print in color if possible; black and white version may not scan properly.
Handbook for Workers - (24 pages) does not include appendices
Appendix I: County map of odonate species numbers
Appendix II: Site Visit Form
Appendix III: Odonate species, regions, and habitats of NY
Appendix IV: Odonate list for volunteers
Appendix V: Naming your photo files
Appendix VI: List of NYSDEC Regional Wildlife Managers and Foresters
Appendix VII: Specimen Form
Appendix VIII: Summary of Effort Card
Appendix IX: Books, materials, and organizations
Appendix X: Regional resource people
DATABASE MATERIALS:
Database Installation Guide: Download this document first for instructions on downloading and installing the NYDDS Database.
NYDDS Database: A zip file containing the NYDDS Database and files referred to in the installation guide.
More about New York State Dragonfly and Damselfly Survey:
- 2007 Training Workshops - Current list of training workshops dates and locations for the New York Dragonfly and Damselfly Survey.
