2005 SWG Projects
Research and Inventory Projects:
Investigation of Reproductive Failure in Freshwater Mussels
Freshwater mussels are among the most imperiled animal groups in North America. About 1/3 of the 50 or so species originally found in New York are probably gone entirely from the state. Many more are rare or declining and we have little specific information about why. This project will attempt to determine the percentage of mussel populations in southeastern New York that are failing and what is causing their decline.
Mercury Contamination in New York
Common Loon
Photo by USFWS
Mercury is a serious environmental contaminant. We know it has harmful effects on some of New York's wildlife. The State Department of Health has determined that mercury can pose a danger to humans if wild fish are eaten too often. This project hopes to fill critical gaps in existing data on the harm caused by mercury and how the risk of contamination varies across the state.
Determining the Seasonal Occurrence of Whales in NY
Humpback Whale
Photo by NBII
Ship strikes are an important threat to whales. The high passage rate of shipping traffic through NY harbor means that the potential for strikes is significant there. Information about the seasonal occurrence of whales in New York waters is needed to develop management policies and reconcile the needs of shipping and whale conservation interests. This project aims to determine the seasons and times of day during which the risk for whale and ship interactions in the state's coastal waters is highest. It will do so by installing underwater devices that record whale sounds.
Mayflies, Stoneflies and Caddisflies of Northern NY
This project will describe the community of mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies in the Adirondack region. Little is known about these insects, which are a vital food source to fish, including the prized brook trout. A diverse array of these species is considered an indicator of water quality. This project will be the first comprehensive survey of these species across the North Country.
Distribution of Wetland-dependent Amphibians and Reptiles in Northern NY
Very sensitive to pollution, amphibians and reptiles are in general decline in most areas. This project will describe the community of these animals in northern New York. Many species have proven difficult to survey for and the northern portion of the state has received relatively little attention in previous efforts. Better information on the distribution of these species will significantly aid in their protection.
Planning and Administration Projects:
Wildlife Habitat Connectivity in the Hudson River Valley
Most animal species need to be able to move across the landscape if their populations are to thrive. Because of this, connectivity between habitat areas is important. This project aims to identify and prioritize key corridors for animal migration in the Hudson River Valley. It hopes to provide planners with critical information for maintaining these much needed pathways.
Riparian Buffer
Photo by NRCS
Incorporating Aquatic Animal Conservation Objectives into Transportation Planning
Every time a road crosses a stream, a bridge or culvert is required. Sometimes these structures adversely affect fish and wildlife by changing water flow or acting as barriers. This project will build a strategic partnership between transportation planners and wildlife managers in New York State. It will create tools that help NY State Department of Transportation identify priority streams and barriers to wildlife movement. Its ultimate goal is to integrate aquatic conservation objectives into road planning and maintenance work. Maps resulting from this project can also guide similar decision-making by town and county departments of public works.
Coordinating Management of Critical Habitats on NY's Private Forest Lands
This project will identify the owners of private forest lands statewide who are willing to help the rare and declining wildlife species on those lands. It seeks to develop a comprehensive implementation plan that these landowners can follow for habitat management and restoration with wildlife in mind.
Wildlife Conservation Analysis for Montgomery County
This project will assess how well existing conservation areas in Montgomery County provide for the habitat needs of wildlife. It will also identify areas of highest conservation priority for future protection. Project leaders will generate tools and information for use in the county planning process.
Evaluation of Wetland Restoration Incentive Programs
The importance of wetlands to the overall ecosystem is well recognized. Programs that compensate private landowners for preservation and restoration of wetlands are a major conservation tool of both government and private organizations. This project will evaluate the success and ecological impact of wetland restoration programs for wildlife. The project will focus on private lands in Jefferson and St. Lawrence Counties that received previous federal wetlands conservation incentives. It will attempt to determine how best to manage similar efforts to maximize the benefits to wildlife.
Investigation of the Use of Fire and Mowing in Bird Habitat Management
Many forest habitat types in the Northeast are adapted to the regular or occasional occurrence of fire. Suppression of fires in recent decades has resulted in changes to these habitats so that they are less able to support the wildlife species that they once did. This project will evaluate the use of fire as a tool to maintain forest and grassland habitats for birds along the Shawangunk Ridge. Results will be incorporated into ongoing work in the Shawangunks and will also be applicable to other planning and management efforts across New York State where fire is being explored as a bird habitat management tool.
Management and Restoration Projects:
Habitat Management for the Karner Blue Butterfly
Karner Blue Butterfly
Photo by USFWS
This project will restore habitat for the endangered Karner blue butterfly in the Albany Pine Bush and Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park. Tasks will include removal of invasive plant species and sowing native grasses and flowers. The project will also use mowing and prescribed fire to maintain previously restored areas. In addition to the Karner blue butterfly, this work is expected to benefit birds that depend upon shrub habitat, grassland birds, turtles, woodland-grassland snakes, and several other species of butterflies, moths and other insects.
Managing Wetland Complexes for Multiple Turtle Species
Wood Turtle
Photo by NBII
This project will manage wetlands within the Harriman and Bear Mountain State Parks in Orange and Rockland Counties for the diverse turtle community found there. Managers will use surveys and radio-monitoring to design practices that will aid the survival of juvenile turtles including the protection of nests from predators, a captive rearing program in cooperation with the Trailside Zoo and restoration of nesting sites that have been shaded over by trees.
Management & Restoration of Grassland Habitats on Multiple State Lands
Short-eared Owl
Photo by NYSDEC
The loss and degradation of grasslands has resulted in a steady decline for species adapted to this type of habitat. This project will manage and restore 1,618 acres of grassland habitats on various state-owned lands in central and lower New York State. Project management actions will involve seasonal mowing, prescribed burns, tilling, seeding of warm season grasses, cool season grasses and wildflowers, and placement of some nesting bird boxes. Public benefits from this project will include the continued enjoyment of bird watching, hiking and hunting in these regions.
Bird Habitat Restoration through Deer Management
Deer are sometimes so abundant that their feeding greatly reduces the growth of the young trees, shrubs and other plants needed to maintain a healthy and diverse forest system. This project will attempt to correct this problem in the Mohonk Preserve by recruiting more hunters and making it easier for them to get access to the parts of the preserve with the greatest deer densities. It is hoped that the result will be greater structural diversity in the forest understory and that forest dependent birds will benefit.
Managing for Early Successional Habitat in Northern NY
Forested areas are maturing across the state. When this happens, birds and other species that live in shrubby habitats suffer. This project will develop a set of best management practices to favor the American woodcock, a representative bird species dependent on shrub habitat. The project will use demonstration areas on the 274,186 acres of former International Paper and Domtar, Inc. timberlands purchased by Lyme Timber, Inc. Secondary recipients of technical assistance will include NYDEC Wildlife Management Areas, Department of Defense installations, and other private forest landowners.
Managing Wildlife Habitat with Fire on Long Island
Controlled Fire
Photo by USFWS
Fire suppression, especially in forest areas near people, has changed the nature of many eastern forests so that they no longer support the wildlife species that they once did. This project will use carefully controlled fire as a tool to restore and expand pitch pine - scrub oak woodlands, grasslands and shrub lands on Long Island. The fires will improve these habitats for birds, butterflies, moths, amphibians and reptiles. In addition to hopefully benefiting these wildlife species, the project will also reduce the potential for wildfires and thus improve public safety in the surrounding areas.
Lookout Hill Habitat Restoration
Lookout Hill is an important piece of Brooklyn's last forest and a documented habitat for at least 50 rare and declining bird species. Over time this part of Prospect Park has suffered from neglect and unsound management practices. This project will repair eroded slopes, remove invasive plants, and restore native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants to the area. It is hoped that the work will re-establish the Hill's attractiveness to migrating and breeding birds.
Performance Monitoring Projects:
Assessing Habitat Restoration Efforts in Sterling Forest State Park
Golden-winged warblers are one of the most rapidly declining bird species in New York. Interbreeding with blue-winged warblers is thought to be one of the causes of this decline. Golden-winged warblers also compete with blue-winged warblers for resources that both species use. This project will evaluate previous experimental forest management in Sterling Forest State Park that sought to create habitat conditions favorable to golden-winged warblers. It is hoped that this will lead to guidelines that forest managers can use to aid in restoration of this bird.
Assessment of Paddlefish Restoration in the Allegheny River System
Paddlefish, historically one of the New York's largest fish, were lost from the state a century ago. Stocking efforts aimed at restoring the fish to the Allegheny River and its tributaries began in 1998. Since they take about 8 years to mature, only now can we expect to see if any of those fish have been reproducing. This project will evaluate whether the stocking has been successful. It will use radio tracking and other methods to determine the relative abundance of juvenile and adult paddlefish, assess seasonal movement patterns and verify reproduction.
