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Natural Areas Initiative
Click here
to download the Natural Areas Initiative Report (PDF)
Click here to view the Natural Areas Initiative Database on the OASIS
site.
The Natural Areas Initiative was established in 2001 by New Yorkers
for Parks (NY4P) and the NYC Audubon to ensure long-term protection
and management of the natural areas of New York City. There are
currently 173 natural areas which include 12,000 acres of estuaries,
forests, ponds and other habitats. NAI works to increase public
awareness of natural areas and their benefits as well as to foster
cooperation between non-profit groups, communities, and government
agencies toward their protection.
In the five boroughs, natural areas serve as important ecosystems,
supporting a rich variety of plant and wildlife. Many bird species
depend on these areas for their survival. Migrating bird species,
including many shorebirds and songbirds depend on these areas for
nourishment as they fly through New York City during spring and
fall migration. Other bird species, such as herons, turns, skimmers
and egrets use these areas as breeding sites, which are under increased
pressure globally due to habitat loss. The natural areas are also
home to many resident birds which stay in New York City throughout
the year, such as blue jays, cardinals, and red-tailed hawks. These
areas also provide New Yorkers with the chance to view up close
the birds and other animals that live there.
Over the last two years, working with multiple agencies and organizations,
NY4P and NYC Audubon have created an authoritative and comprehensive
New York City natural areas database. The NAI Database includes
detailed information on the City’s remaining natural areas including
location, acreage, physical characteristics, unique ecological features,
and threats, as well as legislative and special conservation designations.
The NAI database is a part of the Open Accessible Space Information
System (OASIS) and available at www.oasisnyc.net.
View the Natural Areas Initiative page on the New Yorkers for Parks
site: click
here
For more information on the Natural Areas Database, please email NYC Audubon Director of Conservation Susan Elbin at
selbin@nycaudubon.org.
IWASH
During the Spring and Summer of 2009 NYC Audubon will be undertaking a project called IWASH,
which stands for Improving Wetland Accessibility for Shorebirds and Horseshoe crabs. IWASH is
a large project involving multiple partners (including the American Littoral Society, Jamaica Bay
EcoWatchers, NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, NYC Department of Environmental Protection,
NY State Department of Environmental Conservation and the National Park Service) that is funded
by a Together Green Innovation Grant from National Audubon and Toyota. The goals of the project
are to conduct clean-ups to remove some of the massive amounts of debris that are found in Jamaica Bay,
monitor the effect of this removal on horseshoe crab and shorebird populations, and conduct a public
education campaign focused on the conservation issues for these species in the bay. Research has shown
that migratory shorebirds are reliant on horseshoe crab eggs to refuel on their migration and there is
anecdotal evidence that debris in the bay may prevent horseshoe crabs from accessing spawning beaches,
which would directly affect the shorebirds. We will be targeting important spawning beaches for clean-up
and monitoring crabs and birds before and after the clean-up efforts to gauge the effects, starting in
April and running through September. We also will be engaging the local communities by involving school
groups in our clean up and monitoring efforts and having a presence at block and dock parties through the
summer. Click here to access the Shorebird Monitoring Information
and Click here to access the Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Information
Volunteers are needed for the clean-ups and the monitoring efforts, please contact John Rowden at
jrowden@nycaudubon.org for more information or to sign up.
Forever Wild Program
The Forever Wild Program is an initiative of the New York City Department
of Parks & Recreation to protect and preserve the most ecologically valuable
lands within the five boroughs. The 48 Forever Wild Nature Preserves include
over 8,700 acres of towering forests, vibrant wetlands, and expansive
meadows. Click here to view the Forever Wild page on the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation site.
Breeding Bird Census
NYC Audubon, with the assistance of many dedicated volunteers and partners, has completed the following censuses of breeding bird activity in NYC parks:
Central Park 2008 - report to come
Van Cortlandt Park 2006
Central Park 1998
We will also be joining forces with the Brooklyn Bird Club to conduct a breeding bird census in Prospect Park in May-July 2009. Contact us if you are interested in volunteering!
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