Some of our Projects..
PROTECTING WOOD TURTLES ON FARMLAND IN THE HUDSON VALLEY
In 2018, Jason Tesauro Consulting partnered with Hudsonia, Ltd. to document the interactions between the Wood Turtle, a New York State Species of Special Concern, and agriculture at a 1,600-acre farm in the Hudson Valley. The data generated from this ongoing study has been used to guide and inform farmers how to reduce farm-related turtle mortality and manage portions of the farm as a wood turtle sanctuary.
RESTORING A MIXED HARDWOOD SWAMP IN AN ALTERED PHRAGMITES WETLAND
On a private estate in Connecticut, a series of land-use impacts and unchecked beaver activity converted approximately 15 acres of mixed hardwood swamp to a near-homogenous mat of the invasive reed, Phragmites australis. With their strong commitment to ecological stewardship and promoting biodiversity, the landowners retained Jason Tesauro Consulting and Country Views, Inc. to resurrect the mixed hardwood swamp through a phased approach entailing 1) reducing water levels and restoring natural streamflow patterns through flood obstruction removal and humane beaver control); 2) pasturing cattle and water buffalo in the Phragmites stand to control new growth and crush the smothering mats of reed biomass; 3) planting native trees (red maple, eastern larch) and shrubs (shrub willows, alder, buttonbush) simultaneous with the grazing. As the woody canopy develops, the shade will eventually weaken the vigor of the Phragmites stand, relegating it to a minor component of the understory.
PROTECTING & RESTORING BOG TURTLE HABITAT ON PRIVATE LANDS IN THE NEW YORK HUDSON VALLEY
Since 2003, Tesauro has been facilitating the enrollment of habitat for the federally-threatened Bog Turtle on working farms and other private lands in the Hudson Valley into permanent conservation easements under the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Wetland Reserve Easement (WRE) program. Under this program, landowners agree to sell the development rights to NRCS, which in turn provides funding to restore and manage the Bog Turtle habitat. As of December 2023, 155 acres of core Bog Turtle habitat (spread across 10 populations) have been enrolled in the easement program, and two additional easements, encompassing another 15 acres of Bog Turtle habitat are set to close in 2025.