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, ActivitiesYear 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 Forests- conference (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 Number of CountiesWatersheds/water quality 7

Environment 3

Wildlife/wildlife damage 3

Invasive plants 3

Protected landscapes 3

Forestry 1

Agroforestry 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