Biodiversity Research Program
FINDINGS
The
Biodiversity Research Program List* includes hundreds of plants and
animals found in Westchester County Parks, including:
 |
1,168 vascular plants with 25
rare species
as listed by New York State |
|
|
94 species of dragonflies and damselflies |
|
|
311 species of birds including several rare
or threatened |
|
|
11 species of snakes |
|
|
8 species of turtles |
|
|
88 species of butterflies |
|
|
65
kinds of mollusks |
|
|
33 species of mammals |
|
|
145 moths |
*As
of summer 2003
RESULTS
The
discoveries of the Biodiversity Research Program have led to the
enactment of several local laws and the creation of new programs and
initiatives, including:
|
|
The
Westchester County Endangered Species Act and List |
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The
Westchester Important Bird Area Act |
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The
Westchester Native Plant Executive Order |
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The
Westchester County Pesticide Reduction Act |
|
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The
Bronx River Initiative |
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The
Biotic Corridor of Northern Westchester |
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The
Long Island Sound Stewardship Program |
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|
Species
Recovery Projects |
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|
Development
of Natural Resource Management Plans for parks |
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Creation
of Biodiversity Reserves for the protection of rare species and
habitat |
FUTURE PROJECTS
The
Biodiversity Research Program will continue to catalogue flora and fauna
and to identify critical habitats. Some ongoing and planned research
projects include:
|
|
Monitoring
a Wood Turtle population with radio telemetry and building turtle
nesting exclosure |
|
|
Monitoring
salt marsh and freshwater quality |
|
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Propagating
native plants as food and larval sources for rare butterfly
species |
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Providing
habitat for rare snakes and other species |
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Managing
meadows and building nesting boxes for rare birds and waterfowl |
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Constructing
exclosures to study the effects of white-tailed deer
overpopulation |
|
|
Vernal
pool surveys |
PURPOSE
The
Biodiversity Research Program was started by the Westchester County
Department of Parks, Recreation and Conservation Division to survey the
biological life of nearly 18,000 acres and to enhance the environmental
stewardship of the park system.
Using
the information and data that will be obtained, the department will
track biodiversity through a variety of methods, including:
|
|
Creating
lists of all plant and animal species including vascular plants,
mammals, breeding birds, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies,
dragonflies, fish, and mollusks. |
|
|
Categorizing
each species according to its abundance or rarity within the
county. |
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Documenting
locations and populations of all rare species. |
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Creating
maps with a locator system to pinpoint significant species sites. |
|
|
Creating
a comprehensive database so that all biodiversity data is readily
available in a variety of reporting forms |
|
|
Comparing
and contrasting Westchester parkland biodiversity with that of New
York State |
PARTNERS
The
staff of Westchester County Department of Parks, Recreation &
Conservation gratefully acknowledges the assistance and partnership of
the following groups & organizations:
Wildlife
Conservation Society
Metropolitan Conservation Alliance
Audubon Local Chapters
The New York Natural Heritage Program
Hudson River Estuary Plan Biodiversity Committee
Federated Conservationists of Westchester County (FCWC)
The Biodiversity Center at The American Museum of Natural History
The New York and Conneticut Torrey Botanical Society
SUNY College of Environmental Forestry
Local Butterfly, Dragonfly, and
Mushroom Clubs
Subscribe
to the Parks E-Club to get up to the minute program and event information,
and valuable discounts.
Join Now
Joseph A. Stout, Commissioner
