Invasive Species News

This Month's Topics:

• Now Hiring Boat Stewards for the 2021 Boating Season
• Call for Volunteers: Help Track Spotted Lanternfly in NY
• No New Trees Infected with Oak Wilt in 2020
• Check Out DEC's New Guide to Water Gardening
• USDA AgDiscovery Program for Middle and High Schoolers
• DEC's Annual Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale Now Open
• Upcoming Learning Opportunities

Now Hiring Boat Stewards for the 2021 Boating Season

New York State’s Watercraft Inspection Steward Programs have begun recruiting stewards for the 2021 boating season. If you like working outdoors, interacting with the public, and want to help protect New York’s waters from aquatic invasive species, please check out the SLELO PRISM website for a listing of positions across New York State.

Call for Volunteers: Help Track Spotted Lanternfly in NY

Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is an invasive pest from Asia that feeds on a variety of plants including grapes, hops, and maple trees, posing a severe threat to New York forests and agriculture. SLF has been found in several locations in NY but has not yet spread to much of the state. One potential pathway for the spread of SLF is its preferred host plant, tree-of-heaven (TOH), which is already found in many locations across NY.

NY iMapInvasives is seeking volunteers like you to look for SLF and TOH in your area. You can help protect New York's agriculture and forests by knowing what to look for and how to report it to New York’s official invasive species database, iMapInvasives.

Attend iMap's upcoming webinar and visit their website to learn more about SLF, TOH, and how you can participate in this effort. You can also sign up for a grid square on the map to look for these species out in the field and report to iMapInvasives.

Webinar: Identifying and Reporting Spotted Lanternfly and Tree-of-heaven with NY iMapInvasives - Tuesday, February 23 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

• Presenters: Thom Allgaier and Michael Giambalvo, Department of Agriculture and Markets; and Jennifer Dean, Michell O'Neill & Meg Wilkinson, NY Natural Heritage Program. 
• Register online.

Top photo: Keep an eye out for SLF egg sacs this winter. (photo by US Department of Agriculture)

Bottom photo: Sign up for a grid square on the map to survey for spotted lanternfly and tree-of-heaven.

No New Trees Infected with Oak Wilt in 2020

Here’s some good news from 2020—last year, there were no new oak wilt infected-trees found in all of New York State! Thank you to everybody who reported suspicious oaks. Your "eyes on the ground" help us catch infections early, and your cooperation with state regulations help prevent the spread of this tree disease in the first place! This news wouldn't be possible without you.

You can learn about oak wilt disease on DEC's website.

It's Never Too Early to Plan for Spring: Check Out DEC's New Guide to Water Gardening

Already thinking of spring? There’s no time like the present to start planning your water garden. Whether you’re a backyard pond enthusiast or just now starting to think about building a water garden, our Guide to Water Gardening in New York State (PDF) is here to help. This guide includes visuals of some amazing recommended species to choose from and tips on avoiding harmful aquatic species. Why wait for the weather to warm and waters to thaw? Start planning today!

If you’re planting a new water garden or maintaining an existing one, remember some of these easy tips:

• Place your garden upland and away from waterbodies to prevent storms or flooding from washing away any plants or animals.
• Before planting, always rinse off any dirt or debris—including potential eggs, animals, or unwanted plant parts and seeds—preferably in a sunny location away from water.
• Choose native and non-invasive plants to create your aquatic garden.

Photo: Native groundnut (photo by Adam Peterson)

USDA AgDiscovery Program for Middle and High Schoolers

AgDiscovery is a unique opportunity for middle and high school students to explore agricultural sciences and gain knowledge about careers in animal and plant disciplines, wildlife management, veterinary medicine, biotechnology, entomology, food safety, food production, agribusiness, forestry, and much more! Students chosen to participate in this two to four-week summer outreach program will gain experience through hands-on labs, workshops, and field trips, and will also participate in character and team-building activities among other events.

Learn more about AgDiscovery on the US Department of Agriculture website or check out this YouTube video. Program costs are covered by USDA for all “accepted applicants," and applications are due by March 25, 2021. Visit the USDA program webpage  to find the online application portal.  

DEC's Annual Tree and Shrub Seedling Sale Now Open

DEC's Colonel William F. Fox Memorial Saratoga Tree Nursery has announced its annual spring seedling sale, which is open to the public and runs until May 12. Each year, the tree nursery sells dozens of low-cost, New York-grown tree and shrub species for conservation plantings across the state.

The tree nursery has more than 50 conifer and hardwood species available in bundles of 25 or more, plus several mixed-species packets for those looking for a variety. For more information, including how to order, visit the Spring Seedling Sale webpage on DEC's website. Some species sell out early, so we encourage you to place orders by phone for the most up-to-date availability information.

Know a teacher or youth club leader who may be interested in free trees to plant with their class? We are now accepting applications for the tree nursery's School Seedling Program. From now until March 31, schools and youth education organizations across New York State may apply to receive up to 50 free tree or shrub seedlings to plant with students.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

Identifying and Reporting Spotted Lanternfly and Tree of Heaven (iMapInvasives) - Tuesday, February 23 from 1 p.m. -2:30 p.m. - We need help from citizen scientists throughout New York State to keep a lookout for the highly invasive spotted lanternfly and its favored host, tree-of-heaven. Join this webinar to learn identification tricks and reporting protocol. Please register in advance online.

Take Action Against Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (Part 1) – Impacts, ID, & Citizen Science (Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program) – Thursday, February 25 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Learn all about this damaging invasive insect, understand how to identify HWA in the field, and gain the skills you need to take action to protect local forests. Part 2 of this Citizen Science Training will be held on Wednesday, March 3rd from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Participants have the option to join live via Zoom or watch recorded webinars to custom fit scheduling needs. Please register in advance online.