Other Habitats:

The Partners for Fish and Wildlife program is very unique in that the possibilities for providing private landowners assistance with various projects is nearly endless. Although restoration is the primary purpose of the program, other projects are also developed to protect and enhance fish, wildlife and plants and their associated habitats. Some of the more recent projects are listed below with a brief description.

Beaver Problems?

If you are experiencing some of the problems associated with beaver, maybe the Partners program can assist you. In general, people like this very unique animal. But sometimes "nuisance" beaver can cause a lot of trouble. Such is the case when plugged culverts cause flooding of unwanted areas. The Partners program has a number of devices that can reduce or eliminate potential flooding problems.

"Beaver Deceivers" and other devices are constructed to deter beaver from obstructing flows through culverts.

Osprey Nesting Platforms: In 2000, biologists partnered with the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and the Great Swamp Conservancy to erect three osprey nesting platforms near wetlands that were previously restored under the Partners for Fish and Wildlife program. The Niagara Mohawk workers were so enthusiastic about the project that they want to construct more platforms around New York. It is hoped that the platforms will be used by osprey or Bald eagles.

Niagara Mohawk Crew assembling osprey nesting platform.
Erecting osprey nesting structure.	A devoted crew, Niagara Mohawk crew, Partners biologist and Michael Patane (Director, Great Swamp Conservancy).

Presentations:

As time permits, Partners biologists conduct presentations to various groups, clubs, organizations and schools. Presentation topics vary, but in general pertain to the program's restoration activities, and how citizens can play an active part in wildlife and habitat conservation. Under current staffing limitations, these programs are conducted on a limited basis.

Partners biologist conducting demonstration for school group.

Restoration of Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat

Indiana Bat

In the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, a cooperative effort resulted in the protection of one of the most important wintering areas for six species of bats, including the endangered Indiana bat and a species of special concern, the small-footed bat. This wintering area, known as a hibernaculum, contained approximately 120,000 bats. Unauthorized use of the area was creating a disturbance that could put the bats in severe jeopardy. In June 1996, ten bat gates were installed to secure the entrance into the hibernaculum. Indeed, a true partnership was created for this project. The partners that contributed to the construction of the bat gates included The Nature Conservancy's Adirondack Chapter, International Paper, Bat Conservation International, British Trust For Conservation Volunteers, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife and endangered species programs.

Click on photos to enlarge.
Endangered Indiana bat colony.	Construction of bat gate.

Karner Blue Butterfly

The New York Field Office's Partners for Fish and Wildlife program assisted in the creation of endangered Karner blue butterfly habitat on lands managed at Camp Saratoga by Twin Rivers Council, Inc., Boy Scouts of America. The Partners program worked with property manager Larry Gordon to reclaim unsuitable habitat for the Karner blue in Saratoga County, New York. Approximately 13 acres were restored by cutting white pine trees, removing the stumps and other unwanted vegetation and planting the area with wild blue lupine. Lupine is essential in the life cycle of Karner blues. After removal of unwanted vegetation that reduced the competition, the wild blue lupine has had a 95% survival rate! Observations have verified that Karner blues are now utilizing the restoration site. The Partners program erected a high tensile wire fence to protect the planted areas from human intrusion.

Prepared site for planting wild blue lupine. Wild blue lupine (above and right).

Bog turtle

Currently, biologists from the Partners program are developing restoration plans to restore critical habitat for the Bog turtle. At the present time, Bog turtles are federally listed as threatened.