Critical Habitat Protection

Habitat fragmentation, through such human actions as land clearing and wetland draining, results in the loss of critical habitat for many sensitive and valued plant and animal species in our area. In its publication "Greenway Connections," the Dutchess County Planning Department identifies five tools to protect critical habitats:
1) require very low density residential and conservation zones in prime wildlife areas;
2) use conservation subdivision design to preserve key habitats;
3) use setback requirements and development policies to protect wetlands and stream corridors;
4) selectively purchase critical conservation areas or secure protective easements on these properties; and
5) designate priority growth areas and provide for utility districts that encourage compact development patterns.

Of course, these tools can only be effective if a community has already determined where the critical habitats it would like to protect are located. In Tompkins County, we are fortunate to have many local institutions of higher education which have encouraged students and faculty to create these local habitat inventories. Since this type of species identification and habitat mapping is best done on an intermunicipal basis, the Tompkins County Environmental Management Council (EMC), with the assistance of the Planning Department and Cornell Plantations, has played a crucial role in collecting new and existing data from throughout the County, and compiling it in its Inventory of Unique Natural Areas. The Inventory, along with the County's Natural Resources Inventory is available in libraries and municipal offices throughout the County.

The EMC, along with faculty from Cornell, Ithaca College, and Tompkins Community College, would be good sources of advice, and possibly assistance, for any community in Tompkins County wishing to develop wildlife preservation strategies or better identify its critical habitat areas.