We will have speakers present on current Brachypodium research involving interactions with deer and native plants, future work on Brachypodium which may include growth rate and photosynthesis, and updates on field work. More details to follow.

The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History, in collaboration with the Chautauqua County Forest Pest Task Force, is hosting an evening event aimed at educating municipal officials, private landowners, and interested citizens who want to learn more about invasive forest pests. This event will feature keynote speaker Mark Whitmore, an entomologist at Cornell University and a leading expert on the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid – an invasive insect that is devastating eastern hemlock stands around the nation. Also presenting is Emily Thiel, an invasive species specialist from the WNY Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (WNY PRISM). Emily will discuss various invasive forest pests, shrubs and plants, as well as the ways in which WNY PRISM can assist municipalities and private landowners in addressing invasive species, and what we all can do to protect Chautauqua County’s forests from these threats. The event is free and open to the public, and will include complimentary refreshments for attendees in between speakers.

• 5pm: Opening remarks from County Executive George Borello and representatives from the Chautauqua County Forest Pest Task Force and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute

• 5:15pm: Mark Whitmore, Forest Entomologist with the Department of Natural Resources and Professor at Cornell University will discuss the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid.

• 6pm – 6:45pm: Refreshments and Networking.

• 6:45pm: Emily Thiel, Education & Outreach Program Manager for the WNY Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management will present on various invasive forest pests and their management.

Please contact Jonathan Townsend at 716-665-2473 ext 231 or [email protected] for more information. The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History is located at 311 Curtis Street in Jamestown.

iMapInvasives, NY’s centralized invasive species database, has many new features with the latest release, “iMap3”. Join us for a hands-on training to learn about the online system, the mobile app and the web map services. Bring laptops/smartphones. RSVP requested, but not required.

1. iMap3 – online [view invasives data; enter invasives data (presence/not-detected/treatment; set-up email alerts; on your phone or tablet or computer, with connectivity]
2. iMap Mobile app [download; set preferences; upload “fake species” record; after the set-up, the app can be used in the field without connectivity; connectivity is required to upload the data to iMap]
3. iMap WMS – examples of using the WMS for local applications; and WMS “cheat sheet”

RSVP: [email protected] 

The WNYGIS User Group and Feedmore WNY are hosting a fall GIS Day learning event.

Presentations and networking from 1 pm to 4 pm as follows:
Catherine Schick, Lauren Picone, Ashley Yeardon,FeedMore WNY, Feedmore WNYs routing and logistics; Meg Wilkinson,NYSDEC, iMap 3 - Invasive species mapping; Raj Patil, Lucity Optimizing Infrastructure Management Through Geospatial Solutions
Tickets can be found here: https://wnygis-day2019.bpt.me/

At this meeting, we’ll learn about progress made on regional initiatives of interest, including Black & Oatka Creek activities, water quality improvement projects, municipal engagement in watershed protection and flood resiliency, and much more. Our action planning discussion will be focused on identifying coastal and aquatic habitat restoration opportunities for the Lake Ontario shoreline and tributaries, that are local priorities for implementation funding.
Questions can be directed to Shannon Dougherty [email protected] or by calling (716) 851-7070.

At this meeting, we’ll learn about progress made on regional initiatives of interest, including Cattaraugus Creek activities, Lake Erie beach projects, water quality monitoring, municipal engagement in watershed protection, and much more. Our action planning discussion will be focused on identifying coastal and aquatic habitat restoration opportunities for the Lake Erie shoreline and tributaries, that are local priorities for implementation funding.
Questions can be directed to Shannon Dougherty [email protected] or by calling (716) 851-7070.

Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper will be continuing its Ellicott Creek Reforestation project. Sessions are 10:00am – 1:00pm and the other one from 1:00pm – 4:00pm. Please register in advance.

Please join the Great Lakes Hydrilla Collaborative for the next webinar in the Great Lakes Hydrilla Collaborative’s technical webinar series. Jennifer Dunn, Biologist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Great Lakes Programs, and Mike Adam, Senior Biologist with the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, will be presenting two case studies of recent hydrilla detections and rapid response efforts. Jennifer will present on the recent hydrilla discovery in Orchard Park, New York and the rapid response efforts that occurred to address this discovery. Mike will provide an overview of the County’s response to the recently documented hydrilla infestation in Libertyville, Illinois, along with background on the Illinois Hydrilla Rapid Response Plan. We will have an approximately 40-minute panel presentation followed by a Q&A session.

Please send an email to [email protected] to register for the webinar. A webinar link and conference call number will be provided several days prior to the event.

If you cannot attend, a recording of the webinar will be made available on http://hydrillacollaborative.com/.