17 October 1996: Minutes

Location: Natural Diversity Database, Hartford, CT

Attendees: Steve Broderick, Miley Bull, Richard Goodwin, Kent Holsinger, David Leff, Chris Maier, Les Mehrhoff, Jim Murphy, Nancy Murray, Patty Pendergast, Judy Preston, David Sutherland, David Wagner

Guests: Stacey Kingsbury, Jane O'Donnell

Agenda

1. Welcome David Leff, Assistant Commissioner DEP
2. Natural Resources Center, Connecticut Geological & Natural History Survey, Natural Diversity Data Base background and GIS tour (Nancy Murray, Jane O'Donnell, Stacey Kingsbury)
3. Forestry Issues and Biodiversity, Steve Broderick, UCONN Extension System
4. Natural Area Preserves, James Murphy, Department of Environmental Protection
5. Update on Draft list of Connecticut critical habitats; David Wagner, University of Connecticut
6. Mission Statement and Approval
7. Next meeting January 16, 1997, Location - University of Connecticut

David Leff provided welcoming remarks and introduced Jim Murphy, chairman of the Natural Areas Program. There will be an internal workgroup within DEP for the Natural Areas program. David identified a need for protocols for the study of biota on state's natural areas, and the hope that a uniform method of study (bioinventory) could perhaps come from this group.

Nancy Murray introduced the Connecticut Geological and Natural History Survey/Natural Diversity Data Base staff: Stacey Kingsbury, Jane O'Donnell, Ken Metzler (absent), and Dawn Mackay (absent). Nancy stated the functions of NDDB and that this program provides the best scientific information available about species and habitats in Connecticut. Approximately 100 new records are added to the Data Base every six months; the importance of well filled-out field forms was stressed. We are working on improving and updating our information so we can better protect, conserve and enhance our listed species and significant habitats. It is used to conduct environmental review and assist in conservation efforts.

Nancy gave an update on NDDB involvements and projects:

• There is an upcoming reevaluation of the state's rare and endangered species list.
• Individuals from the University of Connecticut, Western Connecticut State University, and DEP are working on a five-year study to compile an aquatic plant Atlas.
• Jane O'Donnell is working on the butterfly atlas project with the Geological and Natural History Survey, the Connecticut Butterfly Atlas and the Connecticut Entomological Society. This is a five-year project and the team has finished their second year of field work. A packet containing voucher specimen instructions and a newsletter were distributed. Last year 2000 vouchers (specimens and photographs) were collected, and a similar number of vouchers are expected this year. The data compiled included information about endangered butterflies in the state. However, updated information is needed. There are 120 species known historically from Connecticut. This project has tremendous volunteer support; approximately 300+ volunteers involved.

Stacey Kingsbury gave a tour of the GIS facility; discussed "blob maps" provided to towns to indicate general location of state listed species to guide municipalities with compatible planning efforts. Maps provide information about sensitive areas ("blobs", or shaded areas); where no shading exists, towns can move forward.

Stacey gave an overview of the Connecticut Resource Protection Project and gave a "tour" of the maps on GIS.

• Areas of species concentration are the Connecticut River Estuary and the northwest corner of Connecticut.
• Maps shown included over-wintering/migratory sites for waterfowl, eagle roosting sites, and osprey platform locations.
• Final map to include proposed focus areas.
• Data reviewed included the breeding bird atlas and the colonial waterbird database.

Steve Broderick discussed the tremendous needs for education about the conservation of biodiversity to the forestry community. Steve stated that there are between 80-90 thousand private forest owners in Connecticut. Background: 55-60% of Connecticut is currently forested, representing 1.7/1.3 million acres. Ninety percent of this land is privately owned. Only one in seven forest landowners has a professional forestry consultation. Known threats to Connecticut forest land include fragmentation and invasive species such as the woolly adelgid and gypsy moth. There are professional resources available; within DEP there are three fulltime foresters that assist private land owners, however, a decade ago there were eight. Also, there are a couple hundred private foresters in Connecticut. Steve also noted that foresters are expanding their horizons and are receptive to biodiversity and the need to identify important habitats. However, Foresters are generally not good at identifying rare and endangered species. There are four areas that this group could help with:

1. The forest stewardship cost sharing program offered by federal government provides 75% of cost (reimbursed) of inventory work. In particular, the reestablishment of rare or special concern species is a part of this program. More specific information is needed to guide this process.
2. Continuing education for foresters: Forester certification program requires continuing education. Opportunity exists to teach foresters more about biodiversity; they need to know what to look for. What do they need to know? Steve can get the audience into a room if this group can tell them what they need to know.
3. Southern New England Forest Consortium (SNEFC) (Steve is on the board)
   • Created to discuss regional resource issues such as fragmentation, forest stewardship, and urban and community forestry issues.
   • There is a need for species fact sheets (cited NDDB, TNC, and SNEFC fact sheets) as a good tool for foresters.
4. Advice on a pilot watershed program such as the Eight Mile River watershed project.
   • This is a cooperative effort between UCONN, TNC, and other partners (with S.O.Conte refuge support), using resource data layers (approximately 20 data layers have been digitized) at the watershed level. Forest cover determined from Landsat imagery is being used from Dan Civco's work at UCONN.
   • There is an education component for landowners, foresters, and municipal audiences. This group needs advice on such topics as replacing conifer habitat due to loss by adelgid, etc. and to help with priorities.
   • Develop protocol/structure for interpreting data (this would be useful for this group)

Dave Wagner reiterated the need to protect conifer habitat with reference to invertebrate conservation and the importance of cool (shaded) water to certain aquatic insects. Steve Broderick stated that some people advocate the planting of Norway spruce to replace dying hemlocks; this group did not advocate that practice.

Jim Murphy began by summarizing the status of the Natural Areas Program. The Natural Areas program was established in 1969. Jim gave an overview of five natural area preserves. Program needs include: management plans, how to bring in new preserves, how to build up the program, the development of a program structure, looking at new language for state regulations, how to focus on what priorities for protection. The new advisory committee will help define selection criteria, to focus on outstanding biological, geological, and natural history features. Ken Metzler (DEP) has already identified the state's top ten community types to focus the effort. There is also the need for up-to-date protocols and procedures for studying existing preserves and doing biological inventory work, including the potential for establishing permanent study plots. There is interest concerning how to use preserves as educational tools, and how to focus efforts on biodiversity management zones. Wildlife sanctuaries are managed separately by the division of wildlife.

Tom Philbrick pointed out the value of using volunteers to conduct basic survey work; Jim concurred.

Dick Goodwin pointed out the value of protecting state geological features such as glacial erratics, citing boy scout property in Montville. Dick feels this would be a good role for the Natural Areas Program.

Hopeville Pond and Canaan Mountain are currently focus areas for the Natural Areas Program. The state is looking at designation of Canaan Mountain as a Wilderness Area.

Recap from Jim Murphy: this group could be a partner (co-applicant for grants), help establish protocols, conduct research and field surveys.

Dave Wagner discussed the list of "Significant Habitats of Connecticut with Associated Natural Vegetation Communities" created by Juliana Barrett, Ken Metzler, Nels Barrett and Dave Wagner. This list evolved out of a brainstorming session of the BioDiversity Forum in January, 96. This is a draft list that was created by interfacing state listed species with natural community information, creating a list of habitats likely to harbor species of interest. What's needed from this group are recommendations about what's missing. Examples: grasslands, pine barrens, fishless ponds. This is an evolving document that may potentially be a database with associated imperiled taxa. Dave asked for suggestions about where to go from this point.

Judy Preston presented information on Biodiversity publications that have been created by a number of states throughout the country, citing specifically "New Hampshire's Living Legacy" the Biodiversity of the Granite State, and "Biological Diversity in Maine" An Assessment of Status and Trends in the Terrestrial and Freshwater Landscape (a two-volume publication). There is a spectrum of issues covered in these publications, but all share a focus on the importance of conservation of biological diversity at the state level. A similar document for Connecticut could be an appropriate project for this Forum. There is a range of uses for such a document: to focus on issues and threats, to educate about the value of biodiversity, address research needs, summarize research to date. This document could be used by the academic community to guide research and improve networking, by non-profits for education and research guidelines, by a number of organizations for fundraising. The potential collaboration that this project could demonstrate would likely make it a good candidate for funding.

Dave Wagner recommended that the fact sheets become a part of this document. The group agreed that a document could be very useful. Judy will look into more specifics and possibly invite a participant from another state project to talk to the group.

Les Mehrhoff provided information and order form for new publication, "Biodiversity II: Understanding and Protecting Our Biological Resources" (Ed. M.L.Reaka-Kudla, D.E. Wilson, E.O. Wilson), including a chapter by Les on "museums, research collections and the biodiversity challenge".

Several minor edits were made to the mission statement and approved by the group. Kent Holsinger discussed the web site where biodiversity minutes and mission statement have been posted (draft).

Tasks

Judy to spearhead information on publication. Kent to spearhead list of information for foresters. A subcommittee will be assisting with these tasks.

Next meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 16, 1997 from 2pm - 5pm at University of Connecticut, Storrs.

Last modified: Thu Apr 24 08:41:53 1997