Learn the principles of biodiversity conservation and techniques for recognizing and protecting biodiversity resources with experts Erik Kiviat and Gretchen Stevens. This is a hands-on intensive for professionals whose work can be informed by biodiversity conservation, including policymakers, environmental activists, corporate executives, elected officials, and teachers.
We learn to use remote sensing—the use of devices like satellites and aerial photos to collect data about the earth—to interpret topographic, soils, geology, and wetland maps, and to predict the occurrence of ecologically significant habitats in the landscape.
In outdoor sessions on and near Omega’s campus, we explore the uses of field indicators for selected habitats, and conduct quick assessments of habitat condition. We participate in exercises in open space planning, and siting and designing new development projects in ways that minimize harm to biologically sensitive areas. We also discuss ecology and conservation of rare species, landscape-scale assessments, and general land use planning for biodiversity conservation.
Erik Kiviat, PhD, is cofounder and executive director of Hudsonia. Formerly a professor of environmental studies at Bard College’s Graduate School of Environmental Studies, he has more than 40 years’ experience with natural history and environmental issues in the Northeast, and elsewhere in North America. He is coauthor with Gretchen Stevens of Biodiversity Assessment Manual for the Hudson River Estuary Corridor. hudsonia.org
Gretchen Stevens, director of the Biodiversity Resources Center at Hudsonia, has 29 years’ experience in remote sensing, habitat assessments, habitat mapping, rare plant surveys, and other field biology in the Northeast and elsewhere in the United States. hudsonia.org
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