DOCSLIB.ORG

Environmental Conservation and Historic Preservation in the Hudson River Valley

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Environmental Conservation and Historic Preservation in the Hudson River Valley Research in Human Ecology Building Regional Capacity for Land-Use Reform: Environmental Conservation and Historic Preservation in the Hudson River Valley Paul T. Knudson1 Department of Sociology State University of New York at Albany Albany, New York Abstract land-use policies between municipalities. This leads to en- hanced development efficiency and connectivity that counter- In exploring new ways of building the capacity for re- act leapfrog development and waste-inducing zoning laws. gional land-use reforms, this paper, using a case study ap- Due to the salience of these issues, combined with the proach, compares the role of non-profit environmental and related, unabated decline of numerous inner cities in the land-use organizations to public, state agencies that operate United States, over the last few decades scholars and policy in the same or similar spheres. The context for the compara- makers have examined the issue of regionalism widely. Many tive study are two regions in the Hudson River Valley of New have focused on regionalism through the lens of government York State, a broad geography experiencing intense develop- consolidation and formal regional governments (Benjamin ment pressures as well as corresponding calls for land con- and Nathan 2001; Gainsborough 2001; Rusk 2000, 2003; servation and historic preservation. Findings suggest that White 2002; Yaro 2000; Lewis 1996; Orfield 1997; Weir while state agencies can offer strategic incentives and pro- 2000). Others have looked towards the role that private, pub- tections to communities and regions that adopt regional-ori- lic-private, and non-profit bodies have played or can poten- ented land-use policies, both governmental and non-profit tially exercise in regionalist goals (Dreier et al. 2004, 302; groups play an important role in educating and advising mu- Feiock 2009; Fontan et al. 2009; Gainsborough 2003; Kanter nicipal officials and residents as well as fostering cross-ju- 2000; Orfield 2002, 183). risdictional communication. In addition, an advantage of Using a case study approach, this paper zeros in on the non-profit agencies is their independence from the state and final set of actors in that it explores and analyzes the role of state budgetary constraints. Non-profit agencies are also ca- non-profit environmental/land-use organizations in building pable of advocating on behalf of their public agency coun- the capacity for inter-municipal and regional land-use re- terparts in the public arena. forms. Their capacity in this regard is compared to that of for- mal government agencies that operate with similar objec- Keywords: Regional coalitions, land conservation, his- tives. Representing a highly suitable laboratory of sorts, the toric preservation, urban sprawl context of this study is the Hudson River Valley of New York State. Within the Hudson River Valley, I focus on groups that Introduction operate out of two regions: Albany-Schenectady-Troy- Saratoga Springs and Poughkeepsie-Newburgh-Middleton. Suburban sprawl persisted in the American context dur- Although these regions possess some the nation’s foremost ing the decade of the 2000s, and despite the prolonged eco- historic sites and awe-inspiring natural landscapes, such at- nomic downturn, these trends are predicted to continue into tributes have consistently been under threat by rapid subur- the foreseeable future (Lang 2004; Lang and LeFurgy 2007). ban development. Therefore what has evolved is a delicate With sprawl comes environmental threats including the di- balancing act and negotiation between land development and minishment of water and soil quality, the loss of farmland, land preservation. forests, and other open spaces, and due to longer commutes The findings of this study suggest that natural resource and driving distances, air pollution. One valuable and recur- and land-use concerns can be an effective way to foster re- ring idea for moderating sprawl and promoting land conser- gional and urban-suburban collaboration. Moreover, al- vation has been to enhance regional cooperation and capaci- though non-profit environmental/land-use organizations lack ty (Dreier et al. 2004; Benfield et al. 1999; Rusk 2003). Pro- regulatory authority, they can play a complementary role with ponents argue that greater regionalization creates coherent state environmental/land-use agencies. While state agencies Human Ecology Review, Vol. 18, No. 1, 2011 53 © Society for Human Ecology Knudson can offer strategic incentives and protections to communities of reasons the creation of such units is seen as relatively un- that adopt regional-oriented land-use policies, both govern- likely. The foremost detractor involves money and taxation. mental and non-profit groups play an important role in edu- Local constituents, because of the centrality of the property cating and advising municipal officials and residents as well tax for local municipal coffers, will not support regional gov- as fostering cross-jurisdictional communication. Further- ernments if they believe they will be on the losing end fiscal- more, an advantage of non-profit agencies is their indepen- ly (Savitch and Vogel 1996). dence from the state and state budgetary constraints. Non- Gainsborough (2002) also notes that concerns about profit agencies are also capable of advocating on behalf of growth, urban sprawl, and development vary by geographic their public agency counterparts in the public sphere. location, socioeconomic status, and racial/ethnic characteris- tics. This may undermine a coherent and coordinated politi- Regions and Regionalism cal project involving regional government. To complicate matters further, central city leaders often see regional bodies Although abstract and with no widely recognized defin- as an infringement on their autonomy. This is especially rel- ition, a region, in most of the academic literature, is under- evant if racial/ethnic minorities control central city politics, stood as a city, the surrounding suburbs, and the farms, in that regionalism might be construed as diluting minority forests, and open spaces just beyond the suburban fringe voice and political power (Dreier et al. 2004; Frisken and (Katz 2000). Regionalism likewise is broadly interpreted, but Norris 2001; Norris 2001; Swanstrom 2006). a good conception comes from Briffault (2000). Regionalism Because formal regional governments will most likely seeks to “shift certain authorities to institutions, organiza- not appear even in a significant minority of metropolitan tions, or procedural structures with larger territorial scope areas, scholars and public officials argue that informally- and more population than existing local governments” (p. 1). based, regional cooperation or cross-jurisdictional collabora- The conception here is that metropolitan areas are real social tion is the preferred and more realistic route for achieving units in which residents, businesses, and markets are inte- some level of development coherence, equity, and efficiency grated and inter-dependent. between localities. Briggs (2006) argues that because neither Briffault (2000) contends that local democracy, problem urban- nor suburban leaders view regionalism as a major pri- solving, and rational land-use planning are best achieved ority, coalitions should be built around specific interest areas through regionalism. As metropolitan areas continue to grow, including transportation, housing, and public education. the most important issues facing communities are largely be- These particular dimensions have a better chance of receiving yond the scope, capability, and proficiency of local, decen- attention from local policy makers. tralized governments. Numerous issues, including land-use One specific dimension has been economic develop- and urban sprawl, transportation networks, pollution, the ca- ment. Fontan et al. (2009), Gainsborough (2003) and Kanter pacity of local tax bases, and economic development are gen- (2000) examine the involvement of the business community erally beyond the adequate accommodation and resolution of with respect to regionalism. Their research suggests that busi- local governments. In regards to local democracy, whereas nesses are likely to become involved primarily when region- certain decisions do not have consequences beyond local bor- alism is seen as an avenue to continued economic expansion. ders, an array of others do, and therefore both local and re- Transportation and housing have also been key areas in gional governance are needed. which regional coalitions have emerged. Alpert et al. (2006) Those who espouse the importance of regionalism (Bol- explore how informal ties among transportation stakeholders lens 1997; Briffault 2000; Orfield 2002; Richmond 2000; in South Florida strengthened and made possible formal and Rusk 2003; Swanstrom 2001, 2006; Wheeler 2002) argue that regional coordination in regards to transportation policy. Or- such governance structures enhance regional equity and en- field (2002) has studied the creation of regional fair-share able more rational and coherent land-use and infrastructure housing agreements in Minneapolis-St. Paul and metropoli- planning. Regionalist policies also hedge against “effective tan Washington, D.C. Included here are the work of non-prof- fiscal zoning,” or zoning that protects homeowners and keeps it, faith-based organizations in support of regional housing out lower status land uses, including affordable housing. equity strategies. In addition, Blackwell and Bell (2006) and These
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Fort Orange Garden Club Records, 1923-2007, MG
    MG 237 Page 1 A Guide to the Fort Orange Garden Club Records Collection Summary Collection Title: Fort Orange Garden Club Records Call Number: MG 237 Creator: Fort Orange Garden Club Inclusive Dates: 1923-2007 Bulk Dates: Abstract: Contains material regarding the Fort Orange Garden Club such as minutes and reports from meetings, genealogies, general histories, personal histories, membership lists, projects, flower shows, public works, newspaper articles, awards, magazines, scrapbooks, maps, memorabilia, photographs, and slides. Quantity: 21 boxes (Boxes 1-12 files, 13-15 photos, 16 slim file, 17-19 slides, 20 & 21 oversized) Administrative Information Custodial History: Preferred Citation: Fort Orange Garden Club Records Albany Institute of History & Art Library, New York. Acquisition Information: Accession #: Accession Date: Processing Information: Processed by Daniel M. Hart; completed on November 23, 2013 Restrictions Restrictions on Access: None MG 237 Page 2 Restrictions on Use: Permission to publish material must be obtained in writing prior to publication from the Chief Librarian & Archivist, Albany Institute of History & Art, 125 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210. Index Term Persons Becker, John A., Mrs. (see Thompson, Lenden, Joanne Martha, Ms.) Lehman, Orin Beebe, Richard T., Mrs. (Jean) Mahar, Edward F., Mrs. (Christie) Bourdillon, Jacques, Mrs. (Margaret) McKinney, Laurence, Mrs. (Alice) Corning, Betty Meserve, Kathleen K. Corning II, Erastus, Mrs. (Elizabeth Platt Mosher, John Fayette, Mrs. (Helen) Corning) Oberting, Suzanne Crary, Grace Palmer, Edward DeLancy, Mrs. Crummey, Edward J., Mrs. (Betty) (Melissa) Darling, A. Graeme, Mrs. (Marie) Pruyn, Robert C., Mrs. (Anna) DeGraff, John T., Mrs. (Harriett) Reynolds, Nancy Devitt, Robert, Mrs. (Carol) Rockwell, Richard C., Mrs. (Marge) Douglas, Richard A., Mrs.
    [Show full text]
  • Kings Highway Barrens # K
    Barrens Kings Highway Pine Bush Preserve Albany Green Trail – 2.1 miles –2.1 Trail Green miles –1.2 Red Trail adjacent tothispartofthepreserve. linked AlbanyandSchenectadyislocated beyond. ThehistoricKingsHighwaythat stateand habitattypeinNewYork a rare high quality pine barrens vernal ponds, severalsmallbut trailare east ofthered Well native prairiesfoundinthisregion. aswellthe invasive blacklocustforests native pitchpine-oak andhighly forests A looptrailallowsvisitorstoenjoyboth Kings Barrens Highway Trailhead #9 Trailhead Photo by Kirstin Russell This gently rolling sand-plain is home to a unique variety of rare plants and animals including the federally endangered Karner plants and animalsincludingthefederallyendangered bluebutterfly. sand-plainishometoauniquevarietyofrare This gentlyrolling intheworld. examplesofaninlandpinebarrens The AlbanyPineBushisoneofthebestremaining totheAlbanyPineBushPreserve Welcome Great Blue Heron # # # # # # # # little # 0.96# # brown bat # # 81 # # # # # # # # # # Kings Rd # # 80 # # # # # # # # # # # # # three way # sedge # # # # 82 # # # # # hognose snake # # D# # # # # 9 # # 0.24 # Kings Highway # # 84 # # # Barrens # # # # # D 83 k k k k k Curry Rd Ex k k t Gilmore k Te fisher r k k k k k 85 r k Te Ryan Pl k N Dennis k k k k k 86 W E k k k S k k LEGEND k Rifle Range Rd k Albany Pine Bush Trails k Red k k 1.18 big bluestem k Green k k Indian grass k k & Trailhead 87 k k Trail Segment Distances (miles) k k Numbered Trail Locations k Interstate Highway 90 k k Other Roads k k 88 Railroads k Kings Rd Power Lines k I 90 Albany Pine Bush Lands k k Wetlands Oak eeTr Ln k Lakes, Ponds k 5 Foot Contours k k E Old State Rd k Kings Ct Truax Trail 89 k k Barrens k E k k Ly dius St k k k 12 D k k k k k k k k.
    [Show full text]
  • C Open Space Acquisition C
    – Open Space Acquisition – Feasibility Study for a State Program in North Carolina by Daniel Lyons A Masters Project submitted to the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Regional Planning in the Department of City and Regional Planning. Chapel Hill 2002 Approved by: READER ADVISOR ― OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION ― FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A STATE PROGRAM IN NORTH CAROLINA Daniel Lyons April 22, 2002 PLAN 392 MASTER’S PROJECT Department of City and Regional Planning University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC 27599 DANIEL LYONS OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION MASTER’S PROJECT FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A STATE PROGRAM IN NORTH CAROLINA THE CONSERVATION TRUST FOR NORTH CAROLINA The Conservation Trust for North Carolina is a nonprofit, public interest organization that works to enrich and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of North Carolina by helping communities, land trusts, landowners and public agencies conserve and protect lands important for their natural, scenic, historic, and recreational values. The organization’s vision is to create a permanent network of conservation lands interwoven with the urban areas of our state. Our final goal is to protect irreplaceable natural resources and rural landscapes and to provide attractive, enjoyable settings for living and working. ii DANIEL LYONS OPEN SPACE ACQUISITION MASTER’S PROJECT FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR A STATE PROGRAM IN NORTH CAROLINA THE STANBACK CONSERVATION INTERNSHIP This project was funded through the Stanback Internship Program by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Stanback. The program is a partnership between students and targeted conservation organizations.
    [Show full text]
  • Student Impact
    SUMMER 2018 NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE 80 NEW SCOTLAND AVENUE PAID ALBANY, NEW YORK 12208-3494 PERMIT #161 ALBANY, NY 2018 REUNION SEPT. 20-22, 2018 VISIT THE NEW ALUMNI WEBSITE AT: ALUMNI.ALBANYLAW.EDU • VIEW UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS • READ ALUMNI NEWS, SPOTLIGHTS, AND CLASS NOTES • SEARCH FOR CLASSMATES AND COLLEAGUES • UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION STUDENT IMPACT ALSO SUMMER 2018 A DEGREE FOR ALBANY LAW SCHOOL’S ALEXANDER HAMILTON FIRST 50 YEARS 2017-2018 ALBANY LAW SCHOOL BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR J. Kevin McCarthy, Esq. ’90 Mary Ann Cody, Esq. ’83 James E. Hacker, Esq. ’84 New York, NY Ocean Ridge, FL Albany, N.Y. David E. McCraw, Esq. ’92 Barbara D. Cottrell, Esq. ’84 New York, NY Hudson, NY SAVE THE DATE! VICE CHAIR Daniel P. Nolan, Esq. ’78 Donald D. DeAngelis, Esq. ’60 Debra F. Treyz, Esq. ’77 Albany, NY Delmar, NY Charleston, SC SEPTEMBER 20–22 Timothy D. O’Hara, Esq. ’96 Jonathan P. Harvey, Esq. ’66 SECRETARY Saratoga Springs, NY Albany, NY • Innovative New Reunion Programming Dan S. Grossman, Esq. ’78 Dianne R. Phillips, Esq. ’88 James E. Kelly, Esq. ’83 New York, NY Boston, MA Germantown, NY • Building Upon Established Traditions TREASURER Rory J. Radding, Esq. ’75 Stephen M. Kiernan, Esq. ’62 New York, NY Marco Island, FL Dale M. Thuillez, Esq. ’72 • Celebrating the Classes Ending in 3’s & 8’s Albany, NY Earl T. Redding, Esq. ’03 Hon. Bernard J. Malone, Jr. ’72 Albany, NY Delmar, NY MEMBERS Hon. Christina L. Ryba ’01 Matthew H. Mataraso, Esq. ’58 Jeanine Arden-Ornt, Esq.
    [Show full text]
  • Next Generation Council
    Next Generation Council Adeline Clayton, Lake Placid, NY Tahawus Trails LLC Addy first moved to the Adirondacks for a summer internship with the Adirondack Mountain Club in 2015. You could say it was love at first sight because she’s been here since. Working for the ADK for the following 4 summers, Addy made the area her year-round home in 2018. She now works for Tahawus Trails LLC, a small private trail contracting company working on hiking and biking trails across New York state. When not working to improve the trails, she enjoys biking, baking, and working in her garden. She currently is the coordinator for the Lake Placid Community Garden and is on the ADK’s trails committee board as well as a founding member for the mountain club’s trail crew alumni association. Protecting the Adirondacks has become more than just a job for her, it’s something that she feels deeply connected to and has found a great deal of solace and healing among the mountains and wild waters of the park. She hopes to connect others to the place as sustainably as possible. Janelle Hoh, Saranac Lake, NY Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism Although not a native-born Adirondacker, Janelle has been actively involved and working here for over a decade. Nature and topics related to the environment have always been her passion, which led her to pursue those topics in academia. Janelle holds a BA in environmental studies and a MS in conservation biology. Most of the work Janelle has done academically and professionally has centered around how people relate and interact with their surroundings, specifically the natural world.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Bibliography on the Industrial History of the Hudson-Mohawk Region
    Research Bibliography on the Industrial History of the Hudson-Mohawk Region by Sloane D. Bullough and John D. Bullough 1. CURRENT INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY Anonymous. Watervliet Arsenal Sesquicentennial, 1813-1963: Arms for the Nation's Fighting Men. Watervliet: U.S. Army, 1963. • Describes the history and the operations of the U.S. Army's Watervliet Arsenal. Anonymous. "Energy recovery." Civil Engineering (American Society of Civil Engineers) 54 (July 1984): 60- 61. • Describes efforts of the City of Albany to recycle and burn refuse for energy use. Anonymous. "Tap Industrial Technology to Control Commercial Air Conditioning." Power 132 (May 1988): 91–92. • The heating, ventilation and air–conditioning (HVAC) system at the Empire State Plaza in Albany is described. Anonymous. "Albany Scientist Receives Patent on Oscillatory Anemometer." Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 70 (March 1989): 309. • Describes a device developed in Albany to measure wind speed. Anonymous. "Wireless Operation Launches in New York Tri- Cities." Broadcasting 116 10 (6 March 1989): 63. • Describes an effort by Capital Wireless Corporation to provide wireless premium television service in the Albany–Troy region. Anonymous. "FAA Reviews New Plan to Privatize Albany County Airport Operations." Aviation Week & Space Technology 132 (8 January 1990): 55. • Describes privatization efforts for the Albany's airport. Anonymous. "Albany International: A Century of Service." PIMA Magazine 74 (December 1992): 48. • The manufacture and preparation of paper and felt at Albany International is described. Anonymous. "Life Kills." Discover 17 (November 1996): 24- 25. • Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy on the human circulation system is described. Anonymous. "Monitoring and Data Collection Improved by Videographic Recorder." Water/Engineering & Management 142 (November 1995): 12.
    [Show full text]
  • NENHC 2013 Oral Presentation Abstracts
    Oral Presentation Abstracts Listed alphabetically by presenting author. Presenting author names appear in bold. Code following abstract refers to session presentation was given in (Day [Sun = Sunday, Mon = Monday] – Time slot [AM1 = early morning session, AM2 = late morning session, PM1 = early afternoon session, PM2 = late afternoon session] – Room – Presentation sequence. For example, Mon-PM1-B-3 indicates: Monday early afternoon session in room B, and presentation was the third in sequence of presentations for that session. Using that information and the overview of sessions chart below, one can see that it was part of the “Species-Specific Management of Invasives” session. Presenters’ contact information is provided in a separate list at the end of this document. Overview of Oral Presentation Sessions SUNDAY MORNING SUNDAY APRIL 14, 2013 8:30–10:00 Concurrent Sessions - Morning I Room A Room B Room C Room D Cooperative Regional (Multi- Conservation: state) In-situ Breeding Ecology of Ant Ecology I Working Together to Reptile/Amphibian Songbirds Reintroduce and Conservation Establish Species 10:45– Concurrent Sessions - Morning II 12:40 Room A Room B Room C Room D Hemlock Woolly Bird Migration and Adelgid and New Marine Ecology Urban Ecology Ecology England Forests 2:00–3:52 Concurrent Sessions - Afternoon I Room A Room B Room C Room D A Cooperative Effort to Identify and Impacts on Natural History and Use of Telemetry for Report Newly Biodiversity of Trends in Northern Study of Aquatic Emerging Invasive Hydraulic Fracturing Animals
    [Show full text]
  • Highlights of Planning Division Activities for May 2013
    M E M O R A N D U M TO: Terry Martino FROM: Jim Connolly DATE: May 30, 2013 SUBJECT: Highlights of Planning Division Activities for May 2013 REGIONAL PLANNING Meeting of Adirondack Partnership Recreation Plan Workgroup On May 2, Deputy Director Jim Connolly and Economic Affairs Specialist Dan Kelleher participated in a final meeting of the Adirondack Partnership's Recreation Plan Work Group. The work group has been meeting for several months to develop recommendations on public/private partnerships to enhance recreational programs and public information on the Park's recreational opportunities. A sub-committee has also met with the five towns most directly affected by the recent State acquisition of Essex Chain, Indian River and OK Slip Falls parcels from the Nature Conservancy. A publication is being prepared on the recommendations. A presentation on the groups recommendations was given at Local Government Day on April 25 and will also be presented to the Agency Board at the June meeting. Meeting of Region 5 Open Space Plan On May 2, Jim Connolly and Kevin Prickett attended a meeting of DEC's Region 5 Open Space Advisory Committee which was held at DEC's Warrensburg office. The Advisory Committee is in the process of updating recommendations on land acquisition and protection which will be included in the NYS Open Space Plan. The report will include general policy recommendations as well as the Committee's recommendations on specific acquisitions which are being considered for purchase by the State. Discussion of recommendations are expected to be completed by the end of May with the revised draft of the Open Space Plan to be released for public comment later this year.
    [Show full text]
  • The Lookout June - July 2019
    The Lookout June - July 2019 Adirondack Mountain Club — Schenectady Chapter Dedicated to the preservation, protection and enjoyment of the Forest Preserve http://www.adk-schenectady.org Adirondack Mountain Club — Schenectady Chapter Board ELECTED OFFICERS CHAIR: LOOKOUT EDITOR: Stan Stoklosa Mal Provost 518-383-3066 518-399-1565 [email protected] [email protected] VICE-CHAIR: MEMBERSHIP: VACANT Mary Zawacki 914-373-8733 SECRETARY: [email protected] Jacque McGinn 518-438-0557 NORTHVILLE PLACID TRAIL: [email protected] Mary MacDonald 518-371-1293 TREASURER: [email protected] Mike Brun 518-399-1021 OUTINGS: [email protected] Roy Keats 518-370-0399 DIRECTOR: [email protected] Roy Keats 603-953-8782 PRINTING/MAILING: [email protected] Mary MacDonald 518-371-1293 PROJECT COORDINATORS: [email protected] Jacque McGinn 518-438-0557 PUBLICITY: [email protected] Richard Wang 518-399-3108 Jason Waters [email protected] 518-369-5516 [email protected] TRAILS: Norm Kuchar VACANT 518-399-6243 [email protected] [email protected] APPOINTED MEMBERS WEB MASTER: Mary Zawacki CONSERVATION: 914-373-8733 Mal Provost [email protected] 518-399-1565 [email protected] WHITEWATER: Ralph Pascale INNINGS: 518-235-1614 Sally Dewes [email protected] 518-346-1761 [email protected] YOUNG MEMBERS GROUP: Dustin Wright 603-953-8782 [email protected] On the On Jay Mountain,
    [Show full text]
  • Floristic Quality Assessment Signals Human Disturbance Over Natural
    Ecological Indicators 34 (2013) 260–267 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Ecological Indicators jo urnal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ecolind Floristic quality assessment signals human disturbance over natural variability in a wetland system a,∗ b c Jason T. Bried , Suneeti K. Jog , Jeffrey W. Matthews a Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205, USA b Department of Natural Sciences, Northeastern State University, 610 N. Grand Avenue, Tahlequah, OK 74464, USA c Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t Article history: A common concern regarding the popular Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) method is whether the Received 1 October 2012 site floristic quality scores change with natural temporal and site-specific variability. The more ignored Received in revised form 19 February 2013 question is whether this background variability will confound the index of human disturbance. Using non- Accepted 16 May 2013 forested seasonal wetlands in the northeastern United States, we tested if two common indices of site floristic quality (FQAI, Mean CoC) provide clear signals of site condition relative to gradients of wetland Keywords: area and surface water depth, and consistent signals across time of year (early vs. late growing season), Conservatism geomorphic setting (connected vs. isolated), and vegetation community type (pine barrens vernal pond, Ecological condition wet sedge meadow, shrub swamp). Mean CoC is the coefficient of conservatism (a qualitative estimate Human disturbance Monitoring of species’ sensitivity to human disturbance) averaged across the native and exotic taxa observed at a Seasonal wetlands given site, and FQAI is the traditional Floristic Quality Assessment Index where Mean CoC is multiplied Vascular plants by square root of taxa richness.
    [Show full text]
  • 2010 the Adirondack Park the Adirondack Park Is the Largest Park in the Contiguous Through Public Education and Advocacy for the United States
    State of the Park 2010 The Adirondack Park The Adirondack Park is the largest park in the contiguous Through public education and advocacy for the United States. It contains six million acres, covers one- protection of the Park’s ecological integrity and wild fifth of New York State and is equal in size to neighboring character, the Adirondack Council advises public and Vermont. The Adirondack Park is nearly three times the private policy makers on ways to safeguard this last size of Yellowstone National Park. remaining great expanse of open space. More than half of the Adirondack Park is private land, devoted principally to hamlets, forestry, agriculture and open-space recreation. The Park is home for 132,000 permanent and 110,000 seasonal residents, and hosts ten million visitors yearly. The remaining 45 percent of the Park is publicly owned Forest Preserve, protected as “Forever Wild” by the Lake Placid NYS Constitution since 1894. One Tupper Lake million acres of these public lands Elizabethtown are protected as Wilderness, where non-mechanized recreation may be enjoyed. The majority of the public land (more than 1.3 million acres) is Wild Forest, where motorized uses are permitted on designated waters, Indian Lake roads and trails. Old Forge Plants and wildlife abound in the Park. Old growth forests cover more than 100,000 acres of public land. The western and southern Adirondacks are gentle landscapes of Lake George hills, lakes, wetlands, ponds and streams. In the northeast are the High Peaks. Forty- three of them rise above 4,000 feet and 11 have alpine summits that rise above the timberline.
    [Show full text]
  • Hudson River Valley
    Hudson River Valley 17th Annual Ramble SEPTEMBER 3-25, 2016 WALK, HIKE, PADDLE, BIKE & TOUR HudsonRiverValleyRamble.com #HudsonRamble A Celebration of the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program, and New York State Parks and Historic Sites B:8.4375" T:8.1875" S:7" There’s New York and then there’s New York Traveling through Stewart International Airport is the easiest way to take full advantage of the Hudson Valley’s astounding B:11.125" T:10.875" natural beauty and historic S:10" attractions. In addition to off ering hassle-free boarding, on-time performance and aff ordable fares on Allegiant, American, Delta and JetBlue, we’re also just a short drive from New York City. So, to make the most of your time in the Hudson Valley, fl y into Stewart. And begin exploring. Stewart International Airport JOB: POR-A01-M00808E DOCUMENT NAME: 6E79822_POR_a2.1_sk.indd DESCRIPTION: SWF Destinations of NY Tourism ad BLEED: 8.4375" x 11.125" TRIM: 8.1875" x 10.875" SAFETY: 7" x 10" GUTTER: None PUBLICATION: Westchester Official Travel & Meeting Guide ART DIRECTOR: COPYWRITER: ACCT. MGR.: Basem Ebied 8-3291 ART PRODUCER: PRINT PROD.: Peter Herbsman 8-3725 PROJ. MNGR.: None This advertisement prepared by Young & Rubicam, N.Y. 6E79822_POR_a2.1_sk.indd CLIENT: PANYNJ TMG #: 6E79822 HANDLE #: 2 JOB #: POR-A01-M00808E BILLING#: POR-A01-M00808 DOCUMENT NAME: 6E79822_POR_a2.1_sk.indd PAGE COUNT: 1 of 1 PRINT SCALE: None INDESIGN VERSION: CC 2015 STUDIO ARTIST: steven
    [Show full text]