July 08, 2008 04:00 am Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County will present a wildlife habitat conference July 17-19 at its Hamden office. Local forestry and wildlife specialists will present programs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day of the conference to discuss how landowners can contribute to the wildlife diversity of area woodlands. The event is sponsored by the Watershed Agricultural Council through its Forestry Program with funding from the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Environmental Protection. On Thursday, July 17, participants will explore wildlife ecology and discover how forest succession is important to wildlife. Talks will focus on white-tailed deer, Eastern wild turkey, black bear and coyote. Participants will learn how to check their property for wildlife use and identify animal tracks, scat and feeding evidence. Specialists from Cornell University, Cooperative Extension, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Catskill Forest Association will cover these topics in the morning and lead the afternoon woods walk at Lennox Forest in nearby Delhi. On Friday, July 18, the day's focus will be New York amphibians and reptiles. Educators from Cornell and the Upper Susquehanna Coalition will join with local wildlife enthusiast Robert Benton of Norwich to teach the basic ecology of amphibians and reptiles and how they respond to forest habitats. Participants will learn to identify area salamanders, turtles, frogs, snakes and other vernal pool creatures. Landowners will also learn the importance of vernal pools and how to manage their woodlands for amphibians. The afternoon walk at Lennox Forest will scout for dry-season evidence of habitat and species. The July 19 session will focus on ruffed grouse, American woodcock and forest songbirds. Ruffed Grouse Society Executive Director Mike Zagata will be on hand along with Andy Mason, member of the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, to discuss these species. The afternoon woods walk at Lennox Forest will provide participants the opportunity to identify birds and habitat areas. DEC wildlife specialist William Sharick will help participants learn how to set their own objectives for wildlife in their woodlands. Each session costs $10, including lunch. Participants must pre-register and indicate which days they plan to attend. For a registration form and directions, call Cornell Cooperative Extension at 865-6531, e-mail Janet Aldrich at jla14@cornell.edu or visit Extension's website at www.cce.cornell.edu/ delaware.
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