Enhancing Pastures for Grassland Bird Habitat - PDF Document

Hayfield Management and Grassland Bird Conservation - PDF Document

Transforming Fields into Grassland Bird Habitat - PDF Document

Montour Falls, NY - Many farmers and rural residents are positioned to help slow the decline of grassland birds in New York State by changing how they manage fields, grass hay land, and pastures. Notable species like Bobolinks, Eastern Meadowlarks, Vesper Sparrows, and Grasshopper Sparrows are losing local habitat due to benign neglect of open land. In this two-part seminar, Mike Morgan of NY Audubon and Jim Ochterski of Cornell Cooperative Extension will explain the status of grassland birds in New York and what rural residents and farmers can do to improve the grassland habitats these birds require.

A 2005 pasture inventory in South Central New York found 27 species of grassland birds present and probably breeding on 24 livestock pastures, including three New York bird species of concern and at least one New York threatened species. Very little grassland habitat exists on public land, and the potential to increase and enhance habitats on private rural land is significant.

Public seminar: Conserving Grassland Birds in Rural New York
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum, 443 Coleman Avenue, Elmira, NY 14903
Fee: No fee, open to the public.

Free bulletins describing grassland habitat management will be available during and after this seminar. Please call (607) 535-7161 for more information, directions, and to register for this event.

This seminar is hosted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension SCNY Agriculture Team in cooperation with Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum. Support comes from a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, administered by the Finger Lakes Resource Conservation and Development Council.

Bath, NY – As a result of a $60,000.00 grant awarded to the Finger Lakes RC&D Council by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, a team of volunteer bird watchers have spread out across Steuben, Schuyler, and Chemung Counties, investigating what birds are using local livestock pastures as a special habitat. The abundance of grassland birds like Bobolinks, Vesper sparrows, and Grasshopper sparrows are diminishing due to the loss of suitable grassland habitat in New York. Active livestock pastures can serve as an important refuge for these birds, while still being used for farming.

Nearly two dozen local farmers have agreed to open their land to the grassland bird survey team so the pastures can be scrutinized for evidence of these unique birds. These farmers maintain a large portion of their land for grazing, where cattle, sheep, or goats wander around, browsing grasses and other plants. Unlike cultivated fields, pastures always have extensive grassy cover - a suitable habitat for some unique types of birds. Grass-based farming can benefit wildlife, improve water quality, and reduce the production costs for small farms in the Southern Tier.

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County is coordinating this research, with the cooperation of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Audubon-NY, and Cornell University's Department of Natural Resources. The public will be invited to a series of educational workshops later in 2005 to learn how they can enhance their own field to benefit grassland birds. The study and outreach are funded by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, awarded to the Finger Lakes Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. Questions about this study can be directed to Jim Ochterski, Senior Extension Resource Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County (607) 535-7161.
In addition because of this National Fish & Wildlife Grant the Finger Lakes RC&D Council has hired two grazing technicians, who will be preparing grazing plans on 19 livestock farms within the Chemung River Basin of New York State. The grazing plans will consist of not only recommendations for Best Management Practices which help improve production and improve water quality but also encourage improvement of the habitat of grassland nesting birds. The project is expected be completed by the end of 2005.

Finger Lakes Grazing Advocacy Project

Visit this link for recent article on
The National SARE office in Maryland has highlighted the Finger Lakes RC&D Council's recently completed SARE project, entitled "Finger Lakes Grazing Advocacy Project", on NRCS's national web site. Visit this site for more information.

Local Conservationist Recognized at Regional Meeting

At the recent annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Councils, held September 1-3, 2004, in Wheeling, West Virginia, Richard G. Winnett was presented with the Award for Outstanding Performance by an RC&D Coordinator.

The Mid-Atlantic Association of RC&D Council’s Award Committee made this selection from nominations submitted by the 29 RC&D Councils, which are located in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Richard, an employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has served as the Finger Lakes (formerly the Sullivan Trail) RC&D Council’s coordinator since April 1984. During these 20 years, Dick has assisted the RC&D Council with writing and administering private, state, and federal grants, facilitating projects as well as coordinating seminars and workshops.

Local Non-Profit Organization Receives Regional Award

At the recent annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Association of Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Councils, which was held September 1-3, 2004, in Wheeling, West Virginia, the Finger Lakes RC&D Councils was presented with the Award for Outstanding Performance by an RC&D Council.

The Mid-Atlantic Association of RC&D Council’s Award Committee made this selection from nominations submitted by the 29 RC&D Councils, which are located in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The United States Secretary of Agriculture authorized the Finger Lakes RC&D Council formerly the Sullivan Trail RC&D Council in 1972. The RC&D Council’s membership includes Chemung, Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, and Yates Counties.

During its 31 years, the Finger Lakes RC&D Council has assisted its member counties and their constituents with projects that have improved water quality, provided flood protection, enhanced the marketing of the region’s forest products, encouraged the use of native hardwoods in the construction of timber highway bridges, promoted agri-tourism, and small farm sustainability.

As a result of this award, the Finger Lakes Council has been nominated for the National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils Outstanding Performance by a Council. The National Association of RC&D Councils will make its selection later this year from the nominations submitted by the seven regional Resource Conservation & Development Councils in the United States.

Regional Non-Profit Organization Awarded Risk Management Grant

The Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, which is located at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, recently awarded a $60,319.00 grant to the Finger Lakes Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Council.

The RC&D Council will serve as the administrator for this 21-month grant while John Hanchar, Extension Association for Cornell University's Cooperative Extension Northwest New York Dairy, Livestock, and Field Crops Program and Alison Demarree, Area Extension Educator for Cornell University's Cooperative Extension Lake Ontario Fruit Program will serve as the Project's Team Leaders.

The grant's target audence will include dairy, livestock, field crops and/or fruit farm business owners from Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, and Yates Counties. Participants will complete a series of workshops that will provide an overview of risks with emphasis on financial risk. Those enrolled in the project will also learn the value of and methods of constructing three financial statements that include the balance sheet, the income statement and cash flow statement. In addition, a whole farm financial summary and analysis will be conducted for each participating farm business. Participants will use the summary and analysis to iudentify the farm's strengths and weaknesses. Those farm businesses interested in learning how they can participate in this project should contact John Hanchar, Cornell Cooeprative Extension, PRO-DAIRY, Mount Morris, New York at 585-658-3250, Extension 112.

Venison Donation Coalition Recognition Event Held April 9, 2003

Fairport, New York: July 13, 2004 – The Venison Donation Coalition held a Recognition Event on April 9, 2003 at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York in Albany. This event recognized the many partners that helped make New York’s Venison Donation Program such a success. In fact, in 2002 over 100,000 lbs. of highly nutritious ground venison was distributed through 44 counties producing over 400,000 servings to those in need.

Special awards were presented to five people representing organizations that have been instrumental in the success of the program. They include Erin Crotty, Commissioner, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; Howard Cushing, President, NYS Conservation Council; Joseph DelVecchio, State Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Jeff Williams, Government Affairs, NYS Farm Bureau; and Sharon Ruggi, President, NY Federation of RC&D Councils. Plaques and certificates were also awarded to other organizations, individuals, and sportsmen’s federations for their contributions to the program.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) provided a $100,000 grant to be used as matching funding for the Venison Donation program. The Department has also appointed Greg Fuerst from the Bureau of Wildlife, to coordinate the program statewide. According to Commissioner Erin Crotty, the success of the program was due to the “Power of Partnerships”. She explained, “The greatest strides are made with partnerships when we work together toward a common goal.” She also informed the group that the DEC will continue to maintain its commitment to the Venison Donation program.

The New York State Conservation Council (NYSCC) was instrumental in getting the Venison Donation program passed through the state legislature. Howard Cushing, President of NYSCC described the Venison Donation program as pure Americanism – Volunteerism at its best. He also went on to say, “It’s unfortunate that the public doesn’t realize the true importance of the sportsmen and their role in the historic and social level and even the economic benefit they bring to the state.” He also described the benefit of venison, “Venison is one of the most nutritious meats there is. After heart surgery, some doctors will tell their patients that venison is the only meat they can eat.”

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides one of their employees to act as the coordinator for the various Resource, Conservation and Development (RC&D) councils. Joe DelVecchio, the State Conservationist with the USDA Natural
Resources Conservation Service, reinforced the idea of the power of partnerships that the coalition demonstrates. He highlighted the efforts of the RC&D Councils and their coordinators to fulfill their “Make Things Happen” motto. He emphasized the pride he and the rest of the USDA organization take in their role in the Venison Donation program.

The NYS Farm Bureau has been key in this program. They are the liaison between the farmer and the Venison Donation Coalition. According to Jeff Williams from the NYS Farm Bureau, “Farmers frequently have differing opinions on issues impacting their industry. That is the case except on the issue of venison donation. They speak with one voice. There are 34,000 members and you would be hard-pressed to find one that says helping the hungry is a bad thing to do. They firmly believe in community and this program is a perfect example of community.”

The NY Federation of Resource Conservation & Development Councils is made up of 8 councils throughout New York State. They provide the financial arm to the Venison Donation program as they collect the money from the various resources and pay the processors. Sharon Ruggi, President of the Federation, explained, “The Venison Donation program has grown rapidly, much more than any of us have dreamed. Two years ago, 6500 lbs. were donated, this year over 100,000 lbs. The partners have set a goal of 150,000 lbs. for this next hunting season. It is extremely rewarding and exciting to talk of this kind of success. But with success, as we can clearly see, there will be a need for additional funding. Because of matching funds provided by DEC, we were able to feed families with meals that could not be supplied in any other way. RC&D is committed to finding new avenues of funding.”

The success of the Venison Donation program is due to the above organizations as well as the 90 processors, the many hunters who donated their deer and the 8 food banks who distributed the venison to the food pantries, soup kitchens and other organizations that actually got the nutritious venison to the hungry. Finally the Venison Donation Coalition would like to recognize and thank the numerous sportsmen’s organizations, companies and individuals who have provided financial donations, which have allowed the program to grow throughout the state. Without financial donations, this program would not be able to continue to grow and provide this wonderful service to the many communities of New York State.

For further information on the Venison Donation Program, or find out how to contribute, contact the Venison Donation Coalition’s Voice Mail System at 1-866-862-DEER or visit the website at www.VenisonDonation.com.