The New England cottontail is the only native rabbit east of the Hudson River, and its numbers have declined precipitously due to habitat fragmentation and competition from the introduced eastern cottontail. New York works with other northeastern states, universities, zoos, federal agencies and interested landowners to conserve, study and recover New England cottontails. The talk will cover New England cottontail biology, current research and conservation efforts, how New England cottontail conservation and bird conservation fit together, and what local residents and landowners can do to help.

Presented by Dr. Susan Booth-Binczik, a Wildlife Biologist in the New Paltz office of DEC. Dr. Booth-Binczik leads New York’s New England cottontail conservation program. She also works on a variety of projects involving Threatened and Endangered species, including reviewing development proposals to identify potential adverse impacts. She received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University and graduate degrees from the University of Minnesota and the University of Florida.

Please note that registration through the Desmond-Fish Public Library is required for this event.