Meeting Minutes of the Biodiversity Program Work Team

January 16, 2002, Kingston NY

In Attendance:

Carina Bandle

Gary Couch

Karen Frolich

Gary Goff

Nordica Holochuck

Ted Kerpez

Robin Krebs

Mark Russo

Kristi Sullivan

Leslie Zucker

Introductions

The meeting began at 9:10 am with introductions.

Workshop Plans

Target audience - CCE educators in 10 Hudson Valley counties and their stakeholders (Master Gardeners, private landowners (forest or farm), Master Forest Owners, local governments, land use planners, Land Trusts, local clubs (bird clubs, gardening, etc.), watershed groups, active citizens.

Goal – all participants will learn more about Hudson Valley Biodiversity and have ability to do some programming related to biodiversity upon leaving the workshop. CCE Educators will partner with community-based organizations and agencies involved with biodiversity programming. The role of CCE could include: 1) promoting collaboration with additional stakeholders to broaden support for biodiversity programming, 2) planning and developing program goals that incorporate biodiversity concepts, 3) educating and training target audiences about biodiversity concepts and practical applications, or 4) assisting with the evaluation and promotion of accomplishments.

Strategy- recognizing that CCE Educators have limited time for new initiatives, the workshop will emphasize how biodiversity preservation and enhancement complements current programming. A focus on biodiversity will allow them to partner with new stakeholders (organizations, agencies, local gov’t.) or broaden collaborations with existing stakeholders. CCE Educators will be encouraged to apply for small competitive grants as an incentive for participation in the workshop.

Comments -

Leslie- it would be helpful to know what programming is going on currently in counties and perhaps we could present the unique biodiversity opportunities in each county

Mark - everyone has a Master Gardener Program but beyond that it varies

Gary Couch - Horticulture educators in the area (6) already work together well, we could plug into what they are already doing

Nordica - it would be great if extension educators could learn about what the other groups are doing in the region and would eventually plug into them.

Have displays by different groups, resource table, etc.

Handouts: bibliography, Biodiversity PWT brochure, list of funding opportunities

Biodiversity Workshop: A Primer for Community Action

Sponsored by Cornell Cooperative Extension's Biodiversity Program Work Team (http: )

Tentative Workshop Agenda

Thursday, May 9

Morning Session Theme: Biodiversity of the Hudson River Valley

8:30 - 9:30 am

Registration

Coffee, juice, muffins, bagels, fruit

9:30Introduction to workshop, goals – Gary or Kristi

9:40What is Biodiversity and Why is it Important? - Karen Frolich

10:00Biodiversity in the Hudson River Valley: Places, Habitats and Critters - Ted Kerpez

10:30Break

10:45Land Use in the Hudson River Valley - Steve Smith or co-pi

11:15Hudson RiverEstuary Goals and the Biodiversity Action Plan - Leslie Zucker

11:35Biodiversity at the Huyck Preserve - Rick Wyman

12:00 pm Lunch,

What's in the River? A Hands-On Activity - Steve Stanne, Hudson River Estuary Program Interpretive Specialist

Afternoon Session Theme: Resources and Tools for Conserving Biodiversity

1:00 Potential Partners in Biodiversity Outreach (Big 3, Land trusts)

"Who's doing What?"

1:30Hudsonia's Biodiversity Assessment Manual - Carina Bandle

2:00The Gap Analysis Program: What Should we Preserve? - Charlie Smith

2:30 Break

Concurrent sessions:

3:00Invasive Plants (Invasive Plants Council (Lori Quillen) or Bernd Blossey)

orStormwater Best Management Practices to Protect Biodiversity - Met. Cons. All.

3:30 Managing for Biodiversity on Forest and Farm Lands - Marilyn Wyman and ??

orManaging for Streamside Biodiversity - Leslie Zucker

4:00Establishing a Successful Master Naturalist Program - Suffolk County CCE person

orNuisance Wildlife as a Threat to Biodiversity --tba

4:30County Groups Convene (handout of potential programs)

5:00 Great Programming Ideas from the County Groups

5:45Adjourn

6:00Dinner

7:00 After dinner entertainment: Songs and Stories with Jean McAvoy and Steve

Stanne

8:00"Croaking and Peeping: Identifying Frog and Toad Calls" with "Group Amphibian Scavenger Hunt" to follow or “Who Who’s that (owl) Calling?”

Friday, May 10

6:00 am Optional Early Morning Bird and Wildflower Walk, or Turkey Calling

7:30Breakfast

8:30Nature Mapping - What is it and How Does it Work?

9:00 Break

9:15Nature Mapping - Hands-on Activities

12:00Adjourn, safe travel

Cost: $49/person registration, overnight stay is $15 additional

Attendees are encouraged to submit a proposal for funding of up to $500 to conduct biodiversity-related programming. Grants are competitive. Multi-county proposals will be accepted.

Action Items:

1)Nordica, Mark and Marilyn - call CCE educators in 10 counties, find out who is doing what programming and encourage appropriate people to come. Then follow up with an email or mailed announcement. Completion date: February 15, 2002.

2)Kristi (with help from others) - compile Biodiversity bibliography. Completion date: May 9, 2002.

3)Kristi- Assemble pwt brochure on biodiversity. Completion date: April, 2002.

Speaker Contacts and Confirmation:

SpeakerPWT Member

Steve SmithGary Goff

Rick WymanMarilyn Wyman

Steve StanneNordica Holochuk

Jean McAvoyNordica Holochuk

Charlie SmithKristi or Gary

Lori Quillen

Metropolitan Conservation Alliance person to talk Carina Bandle?

about BMPs

Suffolk County CCE person that has Master Naturalist ProgramMark Russo?

Nature Mapping person from VirginiaKristi Sullivan