Three-quarters of the state's forest are in private hands.For the first time, the Department of Environmental Conservation [0] is turning toward the 2,200 private forest owners that make up the New York State Forest Owners Association [1] for help identifying wildlife residing on their land.

According to the Albany Times Union [2], privately owned forests comprise about 13.2 million acres of land, nearly three-quarters of the state's total forests. And with a solid familiarity of the wildlife on public land, the DEC is now turning its attention to private forests, hoping that land managers will provide a more comprehensive picture of the wildlife landscape in the state.

Through a $148,600 state grant, DEC will spend the next year locating private forests that are home to as many as 90 rare or threatened animals and plants. Once they have identified the species of greatest conservation need, the state will make a pitch to property owners to help. Some state and federal funding will be available to private landowners who embrace management plans to benefit at-risk species.

The demographics of private forest owners have changed with time; many are now more concerned about their local ecology. The DEC is hoping this change in attitude will translate into willing participants for the plan.