Transcript Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Biodiversity Program

Cornell Cooperative Extension
and the Biodiversity Program
Work Team (PWT)
Gary Goff, Mark Russo, Kristi Sullivan,
and Nordica Holochuk, Co-Chairs
What is Cooperative Extension?
CCE Mission: The Cornell Cooperative
Extension educational system enables people
to improve their lives and communities
through partnerships that put experience and
research knowledge to work.
What is a Program Work Team (PWT)?
• A team of campus- and county-based educators
and researchers, as well as external stakeholders
focusing on an issue of joint concern
• History of collaboration and cooperation within
our department and with other departments
Purpose of the PWT
Program Work Teams (PWT’s) conduct the on-going
business of program development.
• engage stakeholders and determine educational
needs
• conduct, interpret, and apply research
• develop external funding and program proposals
• design and implement educational programs
• evaluate impacts of program
Biodiversity PWT
• 2-year duration, renewable
• Secured seed money of $4,000 annually to
support work team activities
Potential Programming, Activities
Year 1
• PWT orientation with Biodiversity and Terrestrial
Habitat Project
• Conduct in-service orientation for CCE county
educators and external stakeholders
– inform participants of issues and progress
– discuss opportunities and activities for outreach
programs
– set specific objectives
Potential Programming, Activities
(continued)
Year 2
• submit proposals for outside funding
• start-up of research and extension programs in the
Hudson Valley as funding allows
• assess potential for statewide expansion of PWT
objectives
DNR History with Biodiversity
Programs
Research Examples
• French Creek - assessing correlation between land
use and stream biodiversity (M. Bain)
• GAP - application of GAP to facilitate planning
for biodiversity conservation (C. Smith)
• Area-sensitive birds - grassland and forest (T.
Gavin)
• Invasive plants - biological control (B. Blossey)
DNR History with Biodiversity
Programs
Extension Examples
• Biodiversity for Farms and Forests- video (G. Goff,
P. Curtis)
• Enhancing Biodiversity in the Northeast Through
Management of Early Successional Forestsconference (G. Goff, P. Curtis)
• Biodiversity for Farms, Forests and Parks- satellite
video-conference (G. Goff, P. Curtis)
• Assessment of Stream Bank Protection Practices and
Attitudes - survey (D. Gross)
Independent, Autonomous
Associations
County Natural Resource
Priorities
Topic
Watersheds/water quality
Environment
Wildlife/wildlife damage
Invasive plants
Protected landscapes
Forestry
Agroforestry
Number of Counties
7
3
3
3
3
1
1
* multiple topics reported for each county
County Strengths
• Strong connection to forest landowners,
farmers, gardeners, local governments
• Collaboration with organizations and
agencies
• Skilled, unbiased facilitation of meetings
and conflict resolution
• Multiplier effect - trained volunteers (MFO,
Master Gardeners, 4-H leaders)
Examples of County-Based
Programs Related to Biodiversity