For Release: Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Putting Biodiversity on the Map in Hudson Valley Communities
Local planners present habitat studies on Oct. 29 at Norrie Point
Following 10 months of study, exploration, and hard work, community groups from Ulster, Dutchess and Albany counties will present findings of their habitat research on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 6-8 p.m. at Norrie Point Environmental Center in Staatsburg, N.Y.
The forum will the culmination of a Biodiversity Assessment Training (BAT) program offered annually by Hudsonia, Ltd., in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Hudson River Estuary Program, to educate local leaders in conservation planning and smart growth strategies.
Starting in January, three groups of planning board and conservation commission members from the towns of Berne, Knox, Hyde Park, Lloyd and New Paltz convened monthly to learn how to identify and conserve habitats that support the diverse plants and animals of the Hudson Valley. They used techniques in map interpretation and field investigation to assess 3,000-acre study areas, and documented marshes, ravines, swamps and woodland pools. The resulting habitat maps can be used for the towns' future master planning efforts, open space plans, and land-use decisions, as well as educating landowners and residents.
The Hudson River Estuary Program has joined with Hudsonia to offer the Biodiversity Assessment Training since 2001. The project implements the DEC's Hudson River Estuary Action Plan by providing training and assistance to local decision-makers.
"Since the training program began, 180 participants from all 10 counties along the Hudson River Estuary, from Albany to New York City, have completed the training," said Frances Dunwell, DEC's Hudson River Estuary Coordinator.
Participants have represented planning boards, town boards, conservation commissions, land trusts, watershed councils, and interested citizens, and many have gone on to expand their studies and implement local plans to support the stewardship of regional biodiversity.
To learn more about biodiversity programs and assistance offered by the Hudson River Estuary Program, please visit the DEC's website or contact Laura Heady, Biodiversity Outreach Coordinator, at 845-256-3061 or ltheady@gw.dec.state.ny.us. To learn more about Hudsonia's training program, visit Hudsonia's website, or contact Andrew Meyer, Hudsonia's Biodiversity Educator, at 856-758-0600 or ameyer@bard.edu.
