There are many local species in need of more protection.
Each branch of the animal kingdom has its own problems and rare or
endangered species. Some of the problems are caused by habitat
fragmentation, potentially including building a new trail through an
area. Others are caused by the increased presence of people (or the
dogs they bring with them) using the trails that we build. Some of the
problems are mostly out of our direct control because they are related
to global climate change, pollution, pesticide use, etc.
What can we do?
Design
Currently we routinely do environmental assessments of proposed
trail routes and relocations, however these assessments have been
mostly restricted to flora except where we know about specific species
from National Heritage records, e.g. rattlesnake denning areas or bog
turtle habitat.
These efforts need to stepped up with broader coverage.
Monitor
For many species very little is known about the effects of the
increased presence of people and the things that people do while in
the woods. What is needed is more observations by trained people. For
some species, volunteers can be easily trained to be the eyes and ears
of a reporting system that feeds the information back to primary
researchers.
VINS - Conservation Biology - Citizen Science
is a pioneering program in volunteer monitoring.
 One opportunity to help monitoring efforts is through VINS -
Mountain Birdwatch. They are monitoring Bicknell's Thrush which is
a resident of the high regions of the Catskills in our area.
Picture copyright Dan Busby - used with permission.
Other monitoring activities are planned, in particular for the
Appalachian Trail. Stay tuned for future announcements.
Educate
One reason trails exist is to direct people away from areas of
concern. It behooves those who bushwhack to be very familiar with the
threats they pose to endangered flora and fauna. There is a delicate
balance between public access and protection.
Avoid
Some problems can be addressed by staying out of certain areas
during breeding season and out of other areas entirely. Other problems
are large group usage, loud noises, etc.
Threats
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