DOCSLIB.ORG

Evaluation of the Hudson River Estuary Program’S Biodiversity Outreach Program

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Evaluation of the Hudson River Estuary Program’S Biodiversity Outreach Program Building Local Capacity for Conservation and Land-Use Planning in the Hudson Valley: Evaluation of the Hudson River Estuary Program’s Biodiversity Outreach Program May 2015 HDRU Series No 15-8 Prepared by: Shorna Allred, Richard Stedman, Caroline Tse, and Maureen Mullen Human Dimensions Research Unit Department of Natural Resources Cornell University 1 HUMAN DIMENSIONS RESEARCH UNIT PUBLICATION SERIES This publication is one of a series of reports resulting from investigations dealing with public issues in environmental and natural resources management. The Human Dimensions Research Unit (HDRU) in the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University studies the social and economic aspects of natural resources and the environment and the application of social and economic insights in management planning and policy. A list of HDRU publications may be obtained by accessing our World Wide Web site at: http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/hdru. TO CITE THIS REPORT: Allred, S., Stedman, R., Tse, C. and M. Mullen. 2015. Building Local Capacity for Conservation and Land-Use Planning in the Hudson Valley: Evaluation of the Hudson River Estuary Program’s Biodiversity Outreach Program. Human Dimensions Research Unit Publ. Series 15-8. Dept. of Nat. Resources, Coll. Agric. and Life Sci., Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY. 192 pp. http://www2.dnr.cornell.edu/hdru/pubs/HDRUReport15-8.pdf This report is available electronically at http://dnr.cornell.edu/hdru 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background Since 2001, the goal of the Hudson River Estuary Program’s (hereafter, Estuary Program) Biodiversity Outreach Program has been to help municipalities and other local and regional decision makers in New York’s Hudson River Estuary watershed to conserve and enhance biodiversity through land-use planning. The Estuary Program conducts programming to foster inclusion of biodiversity objectives and principles into local plans, policies, and procedures. The Outreach Program educates and builds capacity in local governments using tools such as workshops and training, data sharing, grants, and technical assistance. To date, decision-makers representing over 112 different municipalities have engaged in the program, but little is known about long-term impacts, nor are there protocols in place with measurable criteria and indicators for assessing overall program effectiveness. Overview of Research In response to the gap identified above, the Human Dimensions Research Unit (HDRU) worked collaboratively with Estuary Program staff to create an evaluation framework to assess the impact of the Biodiversity Outreach Program. The primary objectives of this project were to understand indicators of program success and effectiveness, including short- and long-term impacts such as behavior, attitudes, motivations, and constraints for incorporating biodiversity considerations into land-use plans, policies, and procedures. Methods The primary methods used to create this evaluation framework included: 1) A literature review and synthesis of key factors influencing program and policy effectiveness and impact 2) Interviews with key Estuary Program and partner staff to determine goals and objectives of programs 3) Preliminary review and assessment of existing evaluation materials 4) Survey of past program participants and non- participants using the evaluation framework, and 5) Final analysis and recommendations to inform the program and a long-term evaluation protocol. Summary of Results Based on our findings, the Hudson River Estuary Program has met the stated program goals of providing the tools, information, assistance, and funding to enable participants to be more effective in decision-making roles around land use, biodiversity, and conservation issues in their communities. More than 70% of respondents to the participant survey stated that the Estuary Program helped them in their position. At least two-thirds considered the Program to be useful; almost all stated that several offerings—such as the Biodiversity Assessment Short Course, Estuary Program presentations, technical assistance, and receipt of Estuary Grants—were very useful. Participants gained an understanding of the principles of conserving biodiversity, factors that contribute to the loss of biodiversity, and its importance to their municipalities. As a result of the 3 training, they are now able to identify specific land-use practices to conserve or enhance habitat and are better able to inform land-use decisions. Technical skills, such as habitat identification, mapping methods and field assessment, were developed. Participants demonstrated application of knowledge and skills gained when describing their successes, such as advocacy and awareness-raising, and planning, conservation, stewardship, and recreation outcomes. Results showed that participants often serve on concurrent boards, and certain pathways may exist between board positions; for example prior Comprehensive Plan Committee members later serve on Planning Boards and Conservation Advisory Councils, demonstrating continuity in land-use planning activities. Other findings showed that municipalities were less likely to have planners, wetland inspectors or biologists/ecologists on staff, instead relying on contractors for these roles; however, more than half of municipalities do use computer-based mapping technologies. Participants also shared Estuary Program information and resources with their boards, colleagues, and officials from other towns or municipalities, further expanding the reach and impact of the program. Participants were able to draw on the existing local network of experts and practitioners in biodiversity and land-use conservation for guidance and technical assistance. Town and Village Board and City Council membership was underrepresented in outreach program participants; recruitment could be targeted to these elected officials. Additionally, those in the early stages of their land-use planning experience could benefit from participation in the program. Training modules emphasizing communications, empowerment and leadership skills development could improve participants’ ability to communicate biodiversity and conservation issues to elected officials, local leaders and fellow residents. The majority of respondents were 55 years of age or older and tended to have graduate degrees. This is consistent with prior findings on the composition of volunteer advisory boards, from which the pool of Estuary Program participants is drawn. In general, greater diversity (age, education, race, socio-economic) of municipal leadership positions is encouraged to better represent the composition, needs, and interests of local communities and their land-use planning goals, but this is a larger issue of the boards from which the Estuary Program draws participants. We also found that sharing among peers was common. Future iterations of the program could build on existing networks to encourage greater interaction and information exchange. One of the key barriers identified was lack of funding. We recommend the continuation of funding and grant opportunities to maintain or increase education offerings and technical assistance, resulting in the greater likelihood of sustaining longer-term biodiversity conservation goals. Acknowledgments We would like to thank all the municipal officials and organizational staff who completed the survey and shared their experiences with us. We are also grateful to Karen Strong and Laura Heady of the Hudson River Estuary Biodiversity Program for their contributions as collaborators in this research. This Project was funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund through the Hudson River Estuary Program of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................ 3 Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................ 5 List of Tables .................................................................................................................................. 7 List of Figures ................................................................................................................................. 9 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ 10 Biodiversity and Land-Use Planning .......................................................................................................10 Biodiversity Outreach Program ...............................................................................................................11 PROGRAM EVALUATION ........................................................................................................ 12 Training Program Evaluation ..................................................................................................................14 Social and Policy Capacity as Program Outcomes ..................................................................................15 Indicators .................................................................................................................................................16 Evaluation Framework for the HREP Biodiversity Outreach Program ..................................................17 EVALUATION QUESTIONS ....................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York
    Chapter 7 Recreation, Open Space and Cultural Resources Planning Base Studies Village of Rye Brook, New York CHAPTER 7 RECREATION, OPEN SPACE AND CULTURAL RESOURCES 7.1 Overview The Village of Rye Brook has close to 3,000 acres of open space, which may be found in public parks and schools, along parkways and natural waterways, at privately-owned country clubs, and within housing developments and corporate parks. These areas are variably designated for both active and passive recreation, open or limited access, or for natural resource conservation. Rye Brook’s parks and open spaces serve as places of recreation and respite, as community gathering places, centers of learning, and as reflections of its culture and history. Municipal parks and open space account for approximately 34.7% of total land area in the Village of Rye Brook, approximately 0.25 acres per resident. Residents also benefit from nearby regional parks and facilities owned and operated by neighboring municipalities. The Village is located in a region that is rich in recreational re- sources. Its neighbors within Westchester include the City of Rye, the Village of Port Chester, the Town of North Castle and the Town of Harrison, which provide a variety of both public and private rec- reational opportunities. The Village’s location on the Connecticut state border affords Rye Brook residents access to a significant num- ber of out-of-state parks, historic sites and nature preserves. A. Recreational Resources Public parks provide a large portion of the outdoor recreational re- sources within the Village of Rye Brook; however, other opportuni- ties for outdoor recreation include: Country clubs Walking paths Trailway routes Community centers Schools B.
    [Show full text]
  • November/December 2010
    90 Years of Trail Magic More Trail Magic Ahead What we’ve accomplished: Our trails, volunteers, partners, a timeline in pictures. and trail users will all be more SEE PAGES 6 & 7 numerous and more diverse. READ MORE ON PAGE 3 O UR 90TH YEAR November/December 2010 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference — Connecting People with Nature since 1920 www.nynjtc.org Trail Conference Aids Efforts New Teatown- The Trail Route TKT, which is blazed in distinctive pUrple, Kitchawan Trail begins at the North CoUnty Trailway near to Revitalize Lenape Trail and RoUte 134, and makes its way west across Links Multiple the Kitchawan Reserve near RoUte 134 in Liberty Water Gap Trail in NJ the soUtheast corner of Yorktown. When it By Steve Marano Parks and Trails reaches Arcady Road, it crosses onto DEP land and continUes throUgh the woods and he 34-mile Lenape Trail in Essex in Westchester meadows of Stayback Hill. CoUnty, NJ, is enjoying a bUrst of The trail then follows Croton Lake TvolUnteer energy and sUpport from On October 6, Westchester CoUnty’s trails Road, a lightly traveled and largely dirt-sUr - the Trail Conference, which is providing got a big boost in connectivity with the face road, in order to pass Under the north expertise in trail work and volUnteer train - opening of the Teatown-Kitchawan Trail and soUth lanes of the Taconic State Park - ing and sUpport to area residents who seek (TKT). The new east-west trail links the way. Once Under the parkway, the trail to revitalize the trail.
    [Show full text]
  • J Save the Dates ‚
    WESTCHESTER TRAILS ASSOC. Visit us on the web at: www.westhike.org Join our Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/westhike SPRING HIKING SCHEDULE AND NEWSLETTER MARCH, APRIL and MAY, 2019 Hikes ratings are based on terrain (mileage is stated separately in the description). An “easy” hike is one with relatively flat terrain while “easy to moderate” adds rolling hills. A “moderate” hike has steeper grades, possibly going up and down all day, and may involve some bushwhacking or short rock scrambles (like much of Harriman Park). A “strenuous” hike has steep ascents, often with rough or difficult terrain on much of the hike (like most Schunemunk trails, Breakneck Ridge, etc.). These ratings apply during good weather. Bad weather may lead to poor footing and increase the difficulty of any hike. Hiking boots and sufficient drinking water (1-2 liters) are required on all hikes. A trail lunch should be carried unless otherwise noted. Hikers with improper footwear, without sufficient water, or who are otherwise unprepared, may be refused or turned back by the leader. Well behaved dogs on leashes are welcome if the hike is listed as “dog friendly,” but dogs are not allowed on other WTA hikes. New hikers are asked to contact the leader in advance of the hike. In fairness to yourself and others, please choose a hike that is within your abilities - contact the leader if you have any questions about the level of difficulty or experience required. All who participate in the activities of the Westchester Trails Association do so at their own risk.
    [Show full text]
  • T a B L E O F C O N T E N
    T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S Introduction .................................................................................................................iii From the Authors .......................................................................................................xiii Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................xiv Hiker’s Etiquette ......................................................................................................... xv When I Went Walking ...............................................................................................xvi I. Tiny Treasures .........................................................................................................1 Bye Preserve ........................................................................................................2 Carolin’s Grove ...................................................................................................2 Crawford Park and Rye Hills Park ......................................................................3 Cross River Dam ..................................................................................................4 Croton River Gorge Trail .....................................................................................4 East Irvington Nature Preserve ...........................................................................5 East Rumbrook Park ...........................................................................................5
    [Show full text]
  • Page Numbers in Bold Refer to the Primary Park Description
    INDEX Page numbers in bold refer to the primary park description. Abercrombie & Fitch, 100 Ascoli, Marion Rosenwald, 307 Abercrombie, David T.,100 Atlantic flyway, 34 Aldenwold mansion, 75 AT&T Right-of-Way, 145 Alder Mansion, 242 Audubon Society, see National Audubon Alfred B. DelBello Muscoot Farm, Society see Muscoot Farm Algonquin Trail, 217 Bailey, George, 279 American Stove Works, 331 balanced rocks American Revolution, 7, 33,132, 375 Balancing Rock Trail, 189 Anderson, Henry, 279 St Paul’s Church, 20 Andre Brook Trail, 160, 279, 385 Baldwin, William Delavan, 164 Angle Fly Preserve, 139, 264-271 Baldwin Place Central Section, North County Trailway, 362 Blue Trail, 266 Barger Street Preserve, 397 Blue-Yellow Trail, 267 Bass Trail, 122 White Trail, 267-268 bats, 25 Eastern Section Battle of Merritt Hill, 157 Blue Trail, 269-270 Battle of White Plains, 157 Green Trail, 270 Baur Meadow Trail, 133-135 Orange Trail, 270-271 Baxter Preserve, 26, 180-181, 413 Western Section Bear Mountain Bridge, 192, 193 Blue Trail, 268-269 Bear Mountain State Park, 194 Pink and White Trail, 269 Bear Rock, 232 Red Trail, 269 beaver, 303 Annsville Creek Paddlesport Center, 330, 332 Beaver Dam Sanctuary, 182-183, 401 Annsville Creek Trail, 220-221 Bechtel, Edwin, 257 Annsville Preserve, 330 Bedell, Hope Lewis, 401 Annsville Pavilion, 330 Bedford Anthony’s Nose, 192 Bedford Riding Lanes Association (BRLA), Appalachian Trail, 396 400-401 Aqueduct, The, see Old Croton Aqueduct Leatherman’s Ridge, 12 State Historic Park Bedford Audubon Society, 60, 125, 133, 401 Archville, 384 Bedford Hills Ardsley-on-Hudson Leatherman’s Ridge, 12 Ardsley Waterfront, 339 Bedford Riding Lanes Association (BRLA), Arleo family, 16 182, 311, 400-401 Armonk trails, 155, 325, 323 Betsy Sluder Nature Preserve, 97-98 Bedford Village Eugene and Agnes Meyer Preserve, Arthur Ketchum Sanctuary, 153-155 235-238 Guard Hill Preserve, 401 Haas Sanctuary, 57 Mianus River Gorge Preserve, 140-142 Herbert L.
    [Show full text]
  • Westchester Action Plan, 2008
    Contents Westchester Action Plan for Climate Change and Sustainable Development, 2008 1 Attachments 1: Climate Change, Global Warming, and Westchester 1-1 2: County Executive’s Initiative 2-1 3: GHG Inventory and Reduction Goal 3-1 4: Getting Started 4-1 5: Energy 5-1 6: Transportation 6-1 7: Land Use 7-1 8: Water Resources 8-1 9: Waste Reduction, Recycling and Green Procurement 9-1 10: Guidance for Using the Action Plan 10-1 Westchester Action Plan for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Leadership.....................................................................................................................1 Vision............................................................................................................................2 Strategy ........................................................................................................................3 Action ...........................................................................................................................5 Performance..................................................................................................................7 County Government Action Summary..............................................................................8 Municipal Government Action Summary......................................................................... 17 Business Action Summary............................................................................................. 26 Education Action Summary..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Trail Walker Fall 2012
    Fracking in the Native Forests at Risk Catskills? Emerald Ash Borer found at Trail Conference sees threat state campground in Catskills. to trails and votes ‘No.’ Poses widespread threat. READ MORE ON PAGE 3 READ MORE ON PAGE 3 Fall 2012 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference — Connecting People with Nature since 1920 www.nynjtc.org Trail Conference Southern Gunks Greenway Grows Honors Basha Kill Area Association’s as 435 Acres are Protected 40 Years of he Trail Conference, in partnership Stewardship with the Open Space Institute T(OSI) and Orange County Land Trust (OCLT), has purchased and protect - ed 435 forested acres on the southern Shawangunk Ridge. The parcel, known as the Ridgeview property, includes meadows and four small ponds and is to be preserved as open space. It is located in the Orange County, New York, towns of Deerpark and Greenville, close to the state’s border with New Jersey. The purchase was completed July 17 R with $1.7 million in private funds, includ - I E W ing $450,000 from the Trail Conference’s E E K T T N E donor-supported Land Acquisition and A G R R F O Stewardship Fund (LASF). The partner - B E O G K ship anticipates the funds will be returned A Jakob Franke presented the Trail Conference’s J prestigious Leo Rothschild Conservation when the property is sold to the New York The large ridgetop parcel in Orange County includes four ponds, meadows, woodland, and Award to BKAA President Paula Medley. Dept. of Environmental Conservation views, now protected as open space and public access.
    [Show full text]
  • NYS FWMB Meeting Notes March 2019
    Statewide Fish and Wildlife Management Board Meeting March 20-21, 2019 White Eagle Conference Center Hamilton, New York 10:06 Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance (led by Jim Petreszyn) Roll Call and Introductions Fish and Wildlife Management Board Members Present: Bill Conners1,4 Region 3 FWMB to Conservation Fund Advisory Board Raymond Merlotto Region 3 Sportsmen Representative Bill Wilkow Region 3 Landowner Representative John Metzger Region 3 Legislative Representative David McLean Region 4 Sportsmen Representative Richard Steele Region 4 Legislative Representative Mike Zagata3,4 Region 4 Landowner Representative Robert Hodorowski Region 5 Sportsmen Representative Jackie Mahoney Region 6 Landowner Representative Walt Paul4 Region 6 Sportsmen Representative Jim Petreszyn2,4 Region 7 Legislative Representative Tom Grasek Region 8 Sportsmen Representative (Alt.) Tom Ryan Region 8 Sportsman Representative Matt Foe4 Region 9 Landowner Representative Dan Tone Region 9 NYSCC Representative Zen Olow4 Region 9 Sportsman Representative Paul Curtis Cornell Cornell University Advisor to FWMB Conrad Strozik Isaac Walton League NYS Region 1Statewide FWMB Chair 2Statewide FWMB Vice-Chair 3Statewide FWMB Secretary 4Statewide FWMB Executive Committee Guests and Presenters: Tom Hughes NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation Mark Rogers NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation Fred Munk NYSDEC – Region 6 Natural Resources Supervisor Tim Pysczynski NYSDEC – Fish and Wildlife R6 Steve Joule NYSDEC – Fish and Wildlife
    [Show full text]
  • March/April 2009
    www.nynjtc.org Connecting People with Nature since 1920 March/April 2009 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference — Maintaining 1,716 Miles of Foot Trails In this issue: More on Bikers & Hikers...pg 2 • Marauding Salamanders...pg 7 • Darlington Update...pg 10 • Cautionary Tales...pg 11 It’s our public face to the world, a resource for hikers, and a tool The First Place to Go When for our volunteers. It’s nynjtc.org and on March 1 look for the You Want to Get Outside launch of the first phase of what ultimately will be a wholly redesigned website. Our goals are to: 1. be the best, super user-friendly source for information about hiking and trails in the New York-New Jersey region; 2. provide opportunities to get involved; 3. make it easier to get maps and books. We invite Trail Conference members to • Connect with a local hiking club by explore and test the new site. Register so searching our list of member organiza - that you can give us feedback via comment tions and the list of upcoming features and access forums, where regis - scheduled hikes. tered users can share info about hikes, • Volunteer by finding the job that trails, and related topics. Our home meets your needs and indicating your address stays the same: www.nynjtc.org. interest immediately. If you have bookmarked this address on In the future, we plan to add exciting your Favorites list, there is no need to new social-networking capabilities for our change it. The following features, and members, volunteers, and potential mem - more, will be available on March 1.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Chair
    SEPTEMBER- NOVEMBER 2018 Newsletter of the Mohican Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club Serving Westchester, Putnam, and Fairfield Counties ...and Beyond From the Chair We want to thank Deirdre and Fran Resch for hosting ------------------------------------------------------ our summer picnic at their house as they were packing In our last newsletter, we mentioned we up to move. It was a delightful day, and we were able would write about the benefits of hiking. to sit outdoors and enjoy the beautiful grounds owned I would like to add paddling to this column as I have by their landlord. Fran reported to us that they did recently returned from 10 days (two five-day sessions) finally move in to their new house in Norwalk, CT. at the annual ADK St. Regis Paddle Outing held at Paul Smiths College. The St Regis Canoe Area is the largest wilderness canoe area in the east--a paddlers’ dream. The area is noted for its clear spring fed ponds, short canoe carries and tranquil beauty. Over a five-day session, 40 different day trips are possible. Trips led daily by volunteer leaders may have 8-12 paddlers. Meeting new people each day working together brings about a feeling of camaraderie and a good time on the water plus getting the physical benefit of a cardio and strengthening workout for all muscles. And, of course, the same goes for hiking. The hike or the paddle is often rewarding enough, but I feel the benefits go far beyond good vistas or a quiet Fran celebrating his birthday at our annual paddle.
    [Show full text]
  • Agenda Was the Approval of the Minutes
    JUNE 7, 2018 – WORK SESSION Minutes of a work session meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Somers held on Thursday evening, June 7, 2018 at 6:35 PM at the Town House, 335 Route 202, Somers, New York ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Supervisor Rick Morrissey Councilman Richard G. Clinchy Councilman William G. Faulkner ABSENT: Councilman Thomas A. Garrity, Jr. Councilman Anthony J. Cirieco Also present were Patricia Kalba, Town Clerk and Roland A. Baroni, Jr., Town Attorney. The Supervisor said that it was in order for the Board to enter into an executive session with regard to personnel and contracts. Thereupon motion of Supervisor Morrissey, seconded by Councilman Faulkner, the meeting was adjourned to an executive session at 6:35 PM to discuss personnel matters and contracts to return that evening. 7:10 PM – meeting reconvened This being a work session the following actions were taken: The Supervisor said that it was in order for the Board to recommend that the Planning Board modify their Resolution of Approval for the Hidden Meadows Project (Resolution No. 2017-20) to delay the posting of Town fees from “Prior to Signing of the Final Plat” to “Prior to Insurance of the Building Permits”. Thereupon motion of Supervisor Morrissey, seconded by Councilman Clinchy, it was unanimously, RESOLVED, that the Town Board does hereby recommend that the Planning Board modify their Resolution of Approval for the Hidden Meadows Project (Resolution No. 2017-20) to delay the posting of Town fees from “Prior to Signing of the Final Plat” to “Prior to Insurance of the Building Permits” per letter dated June 7, 2018 from Joseph C.
    [Show full text]
  • ADK Mohican Newsletter
    ADK MOHICAN CHAPTER From the Chair We are almost back to our three month newsletter! After 6 months, we tentatively began our schedule of ADK member hikes for the last three weekends in September following the COVID Guidelines directed by Headquarters. For the month of October, we announced joint hikes with Westchester Trails Association. (See the write-ups for Trip Tales below). This is our first expanded two-month newsletter since COVID; and starting in January 2021, we will be returning to our three-month newsletter. Our newsletter is being distributed electronically to 83% of our membership and the remainder are sent via mail for those with no email address listed. We would like to improve on that number— the chapter will save on postage and paper. Look at the last page of your newsletter to see details about signing up electronically. A Couple of Notes: A reminder that we are following COVID Guidelines, which limit our hikes to 10 members. (This may change the first of the year-- we are awaiting word from Headquarters). Please wear a mask at trailheads and continue to wear if you are less than 6 feet from another person. There is no carpooling unless a family unit. It is a good idea to register early for the hike of your choosing. Easy hikes have been filling up with several having a waiting list. Another reminder--It is Hunting Season--Why not wear something orange when hiking in areas where hunting is allowed. Bow hunting began in NY State (including some preserves in Westchester County) on October 1st and continues through December 31st.
    [Show full text]