In this issue:
Join us on September 14 - 16, 2025 for the 3rd biennial New York State Invasive Species Expo.
This is a fully featured conference all about invasive species that combines indoor and outdoor space within the unique historical architecture of beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park.
The Expo will feature classic presentations and creative use of outdoor space to offer an interactive, hands-on experience featuring:
- Unique presentations
- Interactive demonstrations
- Hands-on workshops
- Classic presentations
- Small-group discussions
- Field trips and outdoor activities
The Expo will be open to the public with no cost for general attendance.
Registration and call for abstracts coming soon!
Visit the Expo webpage to learn more.
This winter, outdoor recreation enthusiasts can take steps to prevent the spread of invasive species! Invasive plants such as Japanese stilt grass, swallow-wort, and garlic mustard can spread when their seeds attach to clothing, vehicles, animal fur, or gear. Some invasive insects, like emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle, can be transported in firewood. These harmful species outcompete native plants and wildlife, impact recreation, and damage New York’s economies and ecosystems. Follow these guidelines to avoid giving invasive species a ride!
Play, Clean, Go: Before leaving your recreation area, brush seeds and burs off your clothing and gear, clean the bottom of your boots with a handheld boot brush or boot brush station, and remove seeds and burs from pets’ fur.
Use local firewood: Building a campfire? Be sure to follow New York State’s Firewood Regulation! Keep untreated, NY-grown firewood within a 50-mile radius of its source or origin and avoid bringing untreated firewood into NY from another state. Heat-treated firewood can be transported anywhere in NY, but it must have a receipt or label that says “New York Approved Heat-Treated Firewood/Pest Free.”
Report sightings of invasive species: If you find an invasive species this season, report it to iMapInvasives, New York’s invasive species database. Visit DEC’s Invasive Species page to learn more about invasive species to look out for.
On your outdoor adventures this winter, remember to check boots and clothing for burs or seeds and remove them before leaving the recreation site.
Mohonk Preserve Fights Spotted Lanternfly
Mohonk Preserve Inc, in New Paltz NY, were awarded Invasive Species Grant Program funding in 2024 to provide early detection, rapid response, and controls for Spotted lanternfly, which was first discovered on Mohonk Preserve lands in October, 2023. Spotted lanternfly (SLF) is a planthopper native to Asia that feeds on native, ornamental, and crop trees including maples, apples, grapes, cherries, and hops.
In the second half of 2024, Mohonk set traps and captured an estimated 1500 SLF. From December to March, egg mass surveys will be conducted. In addition, drone surveys are planned for 2025 to identify locations of Ailanthus, the host tree for SLF and an invasive species itself.
The project also engages community science volunteers in field activities and increases public awareness of SLF and Ailanthus through event programming, media communications, and signage.
Spotted lanternfly trap
Peconic Land Trust Remediates Former Duck Farm
In 2024, Peconic Land Trust was awarded DEC Invasive Species Grant Program funding to remove invasive plant species on the Broad Cove Preserve meadow, located in Suffolk County on Long Island.
The Trust originally purchased Broad Cove Preserve property, a 100-acre former duck farm, in 2021. One of the primary management plan goals is removing and containing invasive plant species to improve the overall ecological health of the property. Following the ISGP award, the Trust hired Spadefoot Design and Construction to help with the removal and local containment of several invasive species found in a 4.5-acre portion of a 15-acre meadow. This included the removal of autumn olive, multiflora rose, and turf grasses.
Work began in mid-October 2024 with complete land clearing, chopping, and mulching of the plant material which was left on-site for ecological benefits. The meadow’s planting occurred in mid-November 2024, and they had much needed rain shortly thereafter. The Trust planted 90 flats of native grasses, including big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Andropogon scoparium), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). Additionally, the Trust seeded the meadow with a mix of the four species.
The Peconic Land Trust staff will begin the monitoring and maintenance phase of the project in Spring and Summer 2025.
Broad Cove Preserve meadow after mowing
New York's eight Partnerships for Regional Invasive Species Management, or PRISMs, are our on the ground partners for local invasive species management and education. You can connect with your local PRISM to learn about events, trainings, and volunteer opportunities near you.
Adirondack PRISM (APIPP)
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Protecting Hemlocks from Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) is an invasive forest pest that has been threatening forests in the southeastern region of the Adirondacks for several years. “Protecting Hemlocks from Hemlock Woolly Adelgid” is a webinar for anyone who is interested in learning about the important ecological role hemlocks play and what efforts are underway to protect them from HWA.
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APIPP Terrestrial Partner Meeting: 10:00-11:30am Wednesday, Feb. 12
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APIPP Aquatic Partner Meeting: 10:00-11:30am Thursday, Feb. 13
Join the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program and partners working throughout the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain Basin to discuss the state of programs, goals, challenges, and opportunities to collaborate on in 2025. These events will be round robins of partner updates. We look forward to starting the new year strong as we collectively work to prevent the spread and introduction of invasive species in the Adirondacks.
SLELO PRISM
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Aid hemlock woolly adelgid early detection efforts. Participate in SLELO PRISM’s annual #VirtualHikeChallenge and win prizes by helping to look for HWA when you hit the trails this winter. View a map of suggested trails to survey and sign up to participate. If you like a more hands-on approach, you can join guided HWA survey trainings now through February 2025. Participants will learn how to survey for and report HWA to the iMapInvasives mobile app. Get a full schedule and register to join.
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The eight New York PRISMs
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