New York Invasive Species Awareness Week! (June 3rd-June 9th)
Invasive Species Awareness Week 2024 in the Finger Lakes
Join us in celebrating NY Invasive Species Awareness Week!
Invasive Species Awareness Week is back and better than ever! See our lineup of events below to find out what is going on in your area and how you can participate! Email gallo@hws.edu with any questions.
Monday, June 3
Title: Invasive Species Outreach at the Geneva Welcome Center
Description: Come meet with conservation experts and learn about invasive species outside of the Geneva Welcome Center! Discover practical ways to prevent the spread of invasive species, from recognizing common culprits to adopting sustainable practices. Gain valuable insights from our knowledgeable volunteers and pick up informative materials. All are welcome. Outside if weather cooperates, inside lobby/community room area if not.
Registration: No registration required.
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: Geneva welcome center.
Contact: Emily DeBolt, director@senecalake.org
Title: PRISM Macrophyte Survey Program Training—Virtual
Description: Help safeguard our waters! Participate in our annual Macrophyte Survey Program and join Early Detection efforts for aquatic invasive species. Volunteers will learn how to perform rake toss surveys and identify macrophytes (aquatic plants) in their local water bodies. Participation is flexible, and every survey helps! Training and survey tools provided. See you on the water!
Registration: Register for the MSP here: https://forms.gle/9Z19SsWpiUHMCp27A
Time: 6 – 7:30 pm
Location: Virtual
Contact: Amy Slentz aslentz@hws.edu
Title: Invasive Species Educational Tabling with FORCES at Watkins Glen State Park
Description: Join Finger Lake’s FORCES (Friends of Recreation Conservation and Environmental Stewardship) Staff at Watkins Glen State Park for New York State Invasive Species Awareness Week! Our tabling event will provide valuable information on the threats invasive species pose to our ecosystem and how you can help prevent their spread. Learn about local invasive plants and pests, participate in interactive displays, and pick up educational materials. See you there!
Registration: No registration/ Drop by
Time: 11am – 3pm
Location: Watkins Glen Main Entrance off N. Franklin St. next to the Visitor Center and Gift Shop
Contact: Carlin Shew (FORCES Program Specialist): carlin.shew@parks.ny.gov
Tuesday, June 4
Title: Invasive Species Outreach at the Geneva Welcome Center
Description: Come meet with conservation experts and learn about invasive species outside of the Geneva Welcome Center! Discover practical ways to prevent the spread of invasive species, from recognizing common culprits to adopting sustainable practices. Gain valuable insights from our knowledgeable volunteers and pick up informative materials. All are welcome. Outside if weather cooperates, inside lobby/community room area if not.
Registration: No registration required.
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: Geneva welcome center.
Contact: Emily DeBolt, director@senecalake.org
Title: Trail Masters Training
Description: We are actively looking for volunteers to join the FL PRISM Trail Survey for 2023! Similar to our Macrophyte Survey, you can join the effort to fight our terrestrial invasive species by becoming a “Trail Master”. This hour long training will teach you how to identify common invasive plant species. As a Trail Master, you will then go out and survey a trail of your choosing for these species once a month. Help us find invasive species before they get out of control, be more active this summer, and help your environment.
Registration: https://hws.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJErc-yrqz4pHdNeDWTvatkSXUyKdSIH5Rht)
Time: 6:00 – 7:00pm
Location: Zoom
Contact: caceci@hws.edu
Wednesday, June 5
Title: Invasive Species Grid Mapping
Description: Join our reoccurring volunteer group MARSH! for invasive plant species grid mapping at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. Volunteers will learn old and new invasive species identification and put it into practice as we collect data and frolic through one of our grassland habitats. Lunch will be provided and additional information will be sent to those who register prior to the event.
Registration: Volunteers will be required to register with Cassidy Attanasio via email at Cassidy_attanasio@fws.gov or call/text 680-241-0442
Time: Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 9am-1pm
Location: Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Visitor Center Parking Lot, 3395 US Route 20 East, Seneca Falls, NY 13148
Contact/Email: Cassidy Attanasio, Cassidy_attanasio@fws.gov
Title: Invasive Species Pull
Description: The Livingston County Environmental Management Council, in partnership with SUNY Geneseo’s Office of Sustainability and the Roemer Auditorium is sponsoring an invasive species pull to improve native habitat.
Registration: None required
Time: 5pm
Location: Roemer Auditorium, Red Jacket Dr, Geneseo, NY 14454
Contact/Email: munderhill@co.livingston.ny.us
Title: Invasive Species Outreach at the Geneva Welcome Center
Description: Come meet with conservation experts and learn about invasive species outside of the Geneva Welcome Center! Discover practical ways to prevent the spread of invasive species, from recognizing common culprits to adopting sustainable practices. Gain valuable insights from our knowledgeable volunteers and pick up informative materials. All are welcome. Outside if weather cooperates, inside lobby/community room area if not.
Registration: No registration required.
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: Geneva welcome center.
Contact: Emily DeBolt, director@senecalake.org
Title: European Frogbit Community Pull
Description: In 2023, a new aquatic invasive species emerged in Honeoye Inlet—European frogbit! The Muller Field Station, NYSDEC, FL PRISM, and Honeoye Lake Watershed Task Force will rally the local community to join survey and management efforts during NYISAW. Managing small infestations at an early stage means increased likelihood of eradication, and that helps to keep our natural habitats healthy and balanced. Honeoye Inlet needs your help!
Registration: If interested in participating, email Chelsea Gendreau (chelsea.gendreau@flcc.edu)
Time: Starts at 10 am, pull events can last up to 3+ hours
Location: Muller Field Station
Contact: Amy Slentz aslentz@hws.edu, Chelsea Gendreau chelsea.gendreau@flcc.edu, Maura Sullivan Maura.Sullivan@flcc.edu
Title: Survival of the Slimy: Protecting Our Salamanders from the Invasive Disease Bsal
Description: Salamanders are one of the most important organisms that call New York home, playing significant roles in the food web, nutrient cycling, and more. Unfortunately, American salamanders face a new threat – Bsal (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans). Bsal is a fungal disease that has had extraordinary impacts on salamanders and Europe and if it arrived in North America would have as large of an impact on our ecosystems as the chestnut blight or white nose syndrome. Learn how Bsal could affect our salamander populations, why this matters, and tools and strategies we can use to protect our salamanders and prevent Bsal’s introduction to North America.
Time: 1pm-2pm
Location: Virtual
Contact: gallo@hws.edu
Title: Get a Hand on Invasive Species
Description: Learn how to identify and remove a variety of invasive species such as buckthorn, multiflora rose, honeysuckle, and slender false brome
Registration: Email or call event host – see contact.
Time: 9-12pm
Location: Indian Fort Nature Preserve: 3432 Jones Bridge Road, Geneseo, NY 14454
Contact: landsteward@geneseevalleyconservancy.org or (585)243-2190
Thursday, June 6
Title: Connections with Evan Dawson Guest Appearance
Description: Join us for an enlightening radio program on invasive species, airing this week! Discover how non-native plants and animals are impacting our local ecosystems, economy, and even human health. Our expert guests will share insights on identifying invasive species, their effects on the environment, and effective strategies for prevention and control. Whether you’re a seasoned environmentalist or just curious about the natural world, this program will provide valuable knowledge and practical tips to help you protect our biodiversity. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and make a difference—tune in and become part of the solution!
Registration: No registration required.
Time: 12pm-1pm
Location: Radio, tune into WXXI 105.9 FM, WXXI 1370 AM, or WEOS 89.5 FM, or as a podcast
Contact: gallo@hws.edu
Title: PRISM Macrophyte Survey Program Training with Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association
Description: Help safeguard our waters! Participate in our annual Macrophyte Survey Program and join Early Detection efforts for aquatic invasive species. Volunteers will learn how to perform rake toss surveys and identify macrophytes (aquatic plants) in their local water bodies. Participation is flexible, and every survey helps! Training and survey tools provided. See you on the water!
Registration: Register for the MSP here: https://forms.gle/9Z19SsWpiUHMCp27A
Time: 4 – 5:30 pm
Location: Hotel Canandaigua, walk over to the Canandaigua Outlet
Contact: Amy Slentz aslentz@hws.edu
Title: Invasive Species Outreach at the Geneva Welcome Center
Description: Come meet with conservation experts and learn about invasive species outside of the Geneva Welcome Center! Discover practical ways to prevent the spread of invasive species, from recognizing common culprits to adopting sustainable practices. Gain valuable insights from our knowledgeable volunteers and pick up informative materials. All are welcome. Outside if weather cooperates, inside lobby/community room area if not.
Registration: No registration required.
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: Geneva welcome center.
Contact: Emily DeBolt, director@senecalake.org
Title: Help Save our Native Plants
Description: Native plants are suffering from invasive species that crowd them out and offer little or no nourishment to our native animals. We will focus our awareness on Ten Nasty Invaders, learning how to identify them and what tools and strategies we can use to manage: honeysuckle, privet, buckthorn, multiflora rose, oriental bittersweet, Japanese knotweed, autumn olive, Japanese barberry, swallowwort, and parsnip. After an introduction to the ten invasive species, we will hike around the East Ithaca Nature Preserve and the adjacent Pine Tree Wildlife Preserve to see what the combination of invasive pests and white-tailed deer are doing to our natural areas. We will also practice some invasive removal, focusing on the different tools and techniques for getting rid of them.
Registration: No registration required
Time: Thursday, June 6, 2024, 5:30pm
Location: East Ithaca Nature Preserve at the Shirley Raffensperger gazebo, near the junction of Joanne Drive and Park Lane, Ithaca, NY 14850 https://maps.app.goo.gl/rmqXa5Zo4EnZjKf36
Contact: Town of Ithaca Conservation Board – conservationboard@townithacany.gov
Friday, June 7
Title: Invasive Species Outreach at the Geneva Welcome Center
Description: Come meet with conservation experts and learn about invasive species outside of the Geneva Welcome Center! Discover practical ways to prevent the spread of invasive species, from recognizing common culprits to adopting sustainable practices. Gain valuable insights from our knowledgeable volunteers and pick up informative materials. All are welcome. Outside if weather cooperates, inside lobby/community room area if not.
Registration: No registration required.
Time: 11am-3pm
Location: Geneva welcome center.
Contact: Emily DeBolt, director@senecalake.org
Title: Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Hike
Description: Join us on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 4pm at Sweedler/Thayer Nature Preserve for Hike & Seek: Hunt for the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. This family-friendly event combines a guided hike with an important mission to identify and document the invasive insect the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) threatening our hemlock trees – one of the most important tree species in our local forests. Enjoy the beautiful trails, learn about local ecology, and contribute to vital conservation efforts. Help us protect our forests!
Registration: No registration required.
Time: 4pm
Location: Sweedler/Thayer Nature Preserve, 2-6 Townline Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
Contact: gallo@hws.edu
Saturday, June 8
Title: Guided Paddle Through the Unique Plant Community at Myers Point on Cayuga Lake
Description: Come learn about the unique plant community near Myers Point on Cayuga Lake! All are welcome to register for this FREE community event with staff from the Finger Lakes-PRISM and the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network for NYS Invasive Species Awareness Week. During the paddle, you will learn how to sample, identify, and record species you find, explore the underwater biodiversity of Cayuga Lake, and learn about how invasive species impact ecosystems, economy, human health, and recreation. Kayaking gear including boats, paddles, and life jackets will be generously provided by Paddle-n-More. Bring an eagerness to learn about Cayuga Lake, its plant community, and ways to help prevent the spread of invasive species! The guided paddle will be dependent on weather and lake conditions.
Registration: https://book.peek.com/s/2864890c-14fa-416d-b92e-361fd9629504/bdq6Z
Time: 9:30 – 11 AM
Location: Myer’s Park in Lansing
Contact: Josh Neff, neff@hws.edu or Liz Kreitinger, steward@cayugalake.org
Title: Aquatic Invasive Species and Stewardship
Description: Come meet with conservation experts and learn about aquatic invasive species at the Fairport Public Library. Learn which species are threatening our waterbodies and how to identify them. Also learn how our watercraft steward program and volunteer programs provide valuable data that is used to analyze trends in invasive species detection and their spread. All are welcome!
Registration: No registration required
Time: 2pm
Location: Fairport Public Library
Contact: Caitlin Crilly Caitlin.Crilly@fairportlibrary.org
Title: What’s So Bad About Invasive Species?
Description: How much do you know about invasive species and how they impact our natural world? Join us to learn more on Saturday, June 8th at 2:00pm for an educational hike through the pines! With CNC volunteer naturalist Judy, participants will learn how to identify invasive and native species and dive into some of the benefits and detriments they bring to our environment. Additional activities will include scavenger hunts, plant pulls, and more!
Registration: rmsc.org/cumming-nature-center/programs-and-events/ This program is included in our $3 admission price!
Time: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Location: RMSC Cumming Nature Center, 6472 Gulick Road, Naples, NY 14512
Event contact and email address: Abby Merz amerz@rmsc.org and Lann Dolen adolen@rmsc.org
Sunday, June 9
Title: Species of Concern: Four Case Studies of Invasive Species That Are Headed for the Adirondacks
Description: Invasive species are constantly on the move and keeping them from entering the Adirondacks is important to protecting the forests and waterways of the region. In this webinar, the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program takes an in-depth look at four invasive species—spotted lanternfly, small carpetgrass, hydrilla, and quagga mussel—whose presence have been confirmed in areas near the Adirondack region. “Species of Concern: Four Case Studies of Invasive Species That Are Headed for the Adirondacks” features two experts who have seen the negative impacts of the four species firsthand. Webinar participants learned how to identify the species, the negative impacts of the species, and steps everyone can take to keep the species from spreading.
Registration: N/A
Time: N/A
Location: Virtual—find the recorded webinar on APIPP’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1xR3aAk7hdXPT9ea07CIPQ
Contact: Amy Slentz aslentz@hws.edu
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