State Forest, Forest Preserve Inventory and Ecological Support

Project Sponsor: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation - Division of Lands and Forests
End Date: June 30, 2022

Summary

Each year we conduct rare species and natural community surveys on State Forests and Forest Preserve. In State Forests we focus on monitoring High Conservation Value Forests and we also conduct surveys on any new properties. In Forest Preserve our activities focus on mapping and monitoring rare species and community locations in support of Unit Management Planning and implementation. Important deliverables for this project include updates to online Conservation Guides, Species Distribution Models, and Predicted Richness Overlays, and workshops on Heritage data use.

Since 2005, DEC's Division of Lands and Forests (DLF) has supported a team of NYNHP staff to conduct field inventories and monitor rare and threatened plants, animals, and natural communities on DFL-managed land, including State Forests, Multiple Use Areas, and Unique Areas; work in the Forest Preserves was added in 2016. Through this partnership we also create Species' Distribution Models for tracked plants and animals to guide management decisions; participate in eco-regional and conservation planning meetings and forums; design and deliver regional trainings covering priority species and habitats, landscape level opportunity assessment, and old growth assessment; review and provide input on Unit Management Plans; and provide technical expertise on an ad hoc basis in response to botanical information requests and for information on species or ecosystems, including field review of sites proposed for forest management, restoration, recreation, or other actions on DLF land.

Diphasiastrum complanatum in Lake George Wild Forest.

Diphasiastrum complanatum in Lake George Wild Forest.

A dwarf shrub bog in Debar Mountain Wild Forest.

A dwarf shrub bog in Debar Mountain Wild Forest.

Talus Slope in Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area.

Talus Slope in Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area.

An Eastern Pearlshell (Margaritifera margaritifera) in Orebed Creek State Forest.

An Eastern Pearlshell (Margaritifera margaritifera) in Orebed Creek State Forest.


Nov. 30, 2020 | Updated Feb. 9, 2021, 4:14 p.m.