Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Biodiversity Program Work Team (PWT)
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Transcript of Cornell Cooperative Extension and the Biodiversity Program Work Team (PWT)
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 PWTProgram 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 7Environment 3Wildlife/wildlife damage 3Invasive plants3Protected landscapes 3Forestry 1Agroforestry 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