Research

Administrative History

The primary responsibilities of the Bureau of Wildlife's Habitat Inventory Unit (HIU) were to collect, track and monitor data and information related to wildlife habitats in New York State. Their work mainly focused on restoring the habitats of endangered species throughout New York. The unit is currently inactive.

A large portion of the records in this series are freshwater wetlands inventory data sheets. These sheets were created as a result of the Freshwater Wetlands Act (Chapter 614, Article 24 of the Environmental Conservation Law). Section 24-0103 of this law states that it is the public policy of the state to preserve, protect and conserve freshwater wetlands and the benefits derived therefrom, to prevent the despoliation and destruction of freshwater wetlands, and to regulate use and development of such wetlands to secure the natural benefits of freshwater wetlands, consistent with the general welfare and beneficial economic, social and agricultural development of the state.