Private lands coordination and habitat implementation
The strategic partnership between Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society and American Bird Conservancy and their partners will connect northern New Yorkers to the outdoors by funding critical habitat improvement practices which promote a mosaic of diverse forest conditions, ages, and culturally significant forest and native ecosystem benefits.
Primary Funder – American Bird Conservancy Sub Award & Cooperative Agreement
Funding Amount: $112,240 sub award to RGS & AWS, $16,962 non-federal match required.
Project Title: Delivering land conservation in the Great Lakes Basin of northern NY: Private lands coordination and habitat implementation.
Location – Northern Onondaga, Oswego, Jefferson, St Lawrence and parts of Oneida County, New York
Innovation – The strategic partnership between Ruffed Grouse Society & American Woodcock Society and American Bird Conservancy and their partners will connect northern New Yorkers to the outdoors by funding critical habitat improvement practices which promote a mosaic of diverse forest conditions, ages, and culturally significant forest and native ecosystem benefits.
This project is part of a larger multi-state, multi-year conservation effort to reverse the decline of the Golden-winged Warbler (GWWA) and improve forest health on private and public forests and shrublands. Our partnership has assisted NRCS with the delivery of Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) for Golden-winged Warbler in several eastern states, including NY. Our strategy has proven to be successful since 2012, when we began working closely with NRCS field offices to assist with delivering WLFW-GWWA. Specifically, we have conservation planners and field foresters who provide technical assistance to landowners interested in enrolling in WLFW. However, we often encounter landowners that have lands with immense conservation potential but are not interested in signing contracts with NRCS.
This project will:
● Provide support across the Great Lakes Basin of northern New York by providing technical and financial assistance to private and public landowners, improving habitat conditions on at least 200 acres, which will include the creation of young forest habitat and enhancement of mature/mixed-aged habitat.
● Expand geographic extent of NRCS WLFW’s Golden-winged Warbler focal area by ABC and partners to increase habitat connectivity.
● Utilize existing networks established by ABC and partners to scale forest management, sponsor professional development workshops for land practitioners, and encourage habitat outcomes through continued support of local conservation groups best equipped to reach small-acreage, rural landowners.
Outcomes:
● 200 acres of native forest habitat restored.
Impacts:
● Improved fish and wildlife habitat, including for Species of Greatest Conservation Need outlined in the New York State Wildlife Action Plan.
● Enhanced mitigation against invasive species, insect infestation and disease
● Leveraged community involvement and awareness through volunteer events and increased recreational opportunities.
● Improved functionality of forest ecosystems that are native to northern New York.
Partners:
American Bird Conservancy – ABC was founded in 1994 as a non-profit organization with the mission to conserve native birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. ABC currently has 134 full-time staff throughout the U.S. and works at multiple levels of conservation to expand bird habitats, build conservation capacity, reduce threats to all birds and facilitate partnerships.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Research Institute – IUP-RI is a 501(c)3 organization that partners with IUP faculty and staff to provide research administration at all stages of externally funded projects. For nearly 15 years, IUP-RI and ABC have been strong partners in a shared vision of healthy forests and thriving bird populations. Moreover, since 2012, IUP-RI has been a leader in advancing NRCS’s Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) Golden-winged Warbler partnership. For example, IUP-RI has secured millions of dollars in funding to support technical assistant positions that assist NRCS field offices with the delivery of WLFW.
Audubon New York – A respected and influential voice on public policy issues, and a powerful advocate for the birds and people of New York State. Whether meeting with lawmakers and regulators, speaking out through local media, or collaborating with partners on a coalition to protect New York’s environment, Audubon New York is committed to advancing legislation and policies that conserve and restore New York’s shared natural resources. They work through an extensive network of 27 local chapters and 91,000 members across New York.
Thousand Islands Land Trust – Since 1985 ILT has protected over 13,000 acres of land, both feeowned land and conservation easements, including important wetland, grassland, and woodland habitat. This includes 10 Signature Preserves and 22 miles of trails that are open to the public, year-round. During the year, they also host their annual TILTreks, KidsTreks and TILTKids Day Camp programs, which promote living, learning and conserving in the Thousand Islands.
Indian River Lakes Conservancy – Established in 1998, IRLC is an accredited land trust that has protected 2,732 acres within the Indian River Lakes Region over the past 25 years. Their mission is to protect the unique resources of the Indian River Watershed for the benefit and enrichment of present and future generations.
