Overview
In 2013, the Finger Lakes Institute (FLI) at Hobart and William Smith Colleges secured funding through the NYS Environmental Protection Fund with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to host the Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (FL-PRISM). The FLI, having a history of coordinated research, education, and outreach programming, provides the capacity and expertise to combat invasive species in the Finger Lakes Region. The FL-PRISM allows for sharing, supporting, and leveraging of resources to mobilize a highly-visible program that builds community awareness and participation.
Vision:
Within five years, the FL-PRISM is recognized as the primary organization for IS detection, prevention, control, and education and outreach within the 17-county region of the Finger Lakes. The FL-PRISM will work collaboratively with its partners and the public to
provide education and mitigate the impacts of IS within our region.
Mission:
To reduce the introduction, spread, and impact of invasive species within the Finger Lakes PRISM region through coordinated education, detection, prevention, and control measures.
We are part of a network of 8 regional PRISMs created by New York State through its Environmental Protection Fund, covering a 17-county area (see below).
PRISMs are intended to coordinate invasive species management including; coordinating partner efforts, recruiting and training citizen volunteers, identifying and delivering education and outreach, establishing early detection monitoring networks and implementing direct eradication and control efforts.
Activities of the FL-PRISM are shaped by its 5-year strategic plan, published in 2016, with 7 high priority goals:
- Prevention
- Coordination/Partnership
- Early Detection (ED)/Rapid Response (RR) Assessment
- Education and Outreach
- Information Management and Communication
- Invasive Species Control Measures and Restoration
- Legislation and Support: Federal, state, and local governments support
