Finger Lakes PRISM Annual Report for 2016-2017

Read the full report here: 2016_2017AnnualReport_07_19_17

Partners,

The Finger Lakes-PRISM saw much growth over the 2016-2017 fiscal year. We trained 110 people in the iMapInvasives mapping system which saw 7,874 observations input into the mapping system for the region. We continued to engage partners to pilot bootbrush stations on their trails and properties; sponsored two AIS billboards across the Finger Lakes which saw 7.06M impressions over the course of their contract; Hydrilla verticillata was confirmed in Tioga and Cayuga Counties; and a host of other invasive species-related projects and programs were undertaken for this season.

Highlights from the 2016-2017 include:

• $1,019,369 in funding awarded to the Finger Lakes Institute in 2016-2017 and $1,224,251 in new funding requests in 2017 for invasive species work from state and federal sources
• 68 programs with nearly 5100 community members engaged on invasive species
• Watercraft steward program inspected 28,283 boats, engaged 62,331 people across 125 days with the highest launch seeing an average 90 boats per day
• 17 unique events in honor of NY Invasive Species Awareness Week
• Water chestnut project removed 179 acres of water chestnut across the region
• Giant hogweed program controlled 5 acres and surveyed 96 acres in Monroe and Wayne Counties
• Hydrilla verticillata control project in Tinker Nature Park, Monroe County ($19,865)
• 20 partners spent $316,389 on invasive species work
• 20 partners reached 2,450 community members with invasive species outreach
• 24 partners calculated 28,161 hours of staff time spent on invasive species work
• 22 partners calculated 4,778 hours of volunteer time for work on invasive species

The Finger Lakes PRISM continues to expand its partnership to engage in invasive species management. We will align with local, state, and national invasive species programs and goals, and are on a strong path to reaching our 5-year strategic plan goals. Collectively, we have many things for which to be proud in our Finger Lakes PRISM region. We have an incredibly strong partnership and advocates working together in our region to forward natural resource conservation and stewardship. I look forward to continuing to work with you all in the 2017-2018 year!

In service,

Hilary R. Mosher, Coordinator, Finger Lakes-PRISM