What is a Natural Resource Inventory (NRI)

NATURAL RESOURCE INVENTORY (NRI) PROJECT

The Town of Hyde Park entered into a technical assistance partnership with the NYSDEC Hudson River Estuary Program in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension to prepare an NRI for the Town of Hyde Park. This effort is being spearheaded by the Town of Hyde Park Conservation Advisory Council (CAC).

WHAT IS A NRI?

An NRI compiles and describes important, naturally occurring resources within a given locality (e.g., municipality, watershed, or region). Cultural resources, such as historic, scenic, and recreational resources, are often included in an NRI, as well. The inventory has two basic purposes: 1) to provide the building blocks for comprehensive land-use and conservation planning, and 2) to allow natural resource information to be included in local planning and zoning. The scope of the NRI is determined by the community. At its simplest, an NRI is the compilation and description of existing natural resources data. At its most complex, it includes detailed analysis of resources or new data collected specifically for the inventory. An NRI is not a static document. As new and revised data become available, the inventory should be updated to insure its completeness and accuracy.

ABOUT THE HUDSON RIVER ESTUARY PROGRAM

The Hudson River Estuary Program uses the science of ecology to help people enjoy, protect, and revitalize the Hudson River estuary. Created in 1987 through the Hudson River Estuary Management Act (ECL 11-0306), the program focuses on the tidal Hudson and its adjacent watershed from the dam at Troy to the Verrazano Narrows in New York City.

The core mission of the Estuary Program is built around six key benefits:

• Clean Water
• Resilient Communities
• Vital Estuary Ecosystem
• Estuary Fish, Wildlife, & Habitats
• Scenic River Landscape
• Education, River Access, Recreation, & Inspiration.

The Estuary Program works in close collaboration with many partners – from nonprofit organizations to businesses, local governments to state and federal agencies, interested residents, and many others. For more information, visit www.dec.ny.gov.

ABOUT CORNELL UNIVERSITY’S DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

The Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University creates knowledge and facilitates learning to improve society’s stewardship of the environment and promote a conservation ethos for a sustainable planet. For more information, visit http://dnr.cals.cornell.edu/