5th Annual Invasive Species Awareness Week

New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW) is a statewide campaign held the week of July 8-14 which aims to promote the knowledge and understanding of invasive species and the harm they can cause by engaging citizens in a wide range of activities across the state and empowering them to take action. Our theme this year is, “What YOU can do to stop the spread,” and events such as interpretative hikes, Ask-an-Expert displays, and volunteer plant pulls and native plantings explore this theme throughout the week.

More information about ISAW, including a full calendar of events, can be found here while local ISAW events can also be found directly from WNY PRISM. Be sure to check back as more events are being added!

If you would like to host or add an event to this calendar or are interested in exhibiting an invasive species display during this week, please contact us at wnyprism@buffalostate.edu no later than June 25.
Put “NYISAW Event Submission” in the subject of your email and include the following information:

Event Title
Event Description, RSVP if requested, who to contact for more information, and any other relevant info
Event Date and Start Time/End Time
Event Location, Address, including Town/City and Zip Code

Western New York –Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW 2018) Events

Water Chestnut/Jumping Worm Mapping Challenge Webinar
Presented by New York iMap Invasives

Throughout ISAW, a mapping challenge featuring jumping worm (Amynthas spp. and Metaphire spp.) and water chestnut (trapa natans) will take place. Using the iMapInvasives database, participants with the most reports of these species (either presence or absence) will compete for prizes and bragging rights. A recorded webinar, found here, will teach participants how to identify and report these invaders with the iMapInvasives database.
Visit NY iMapInvasives’ website to request an iMap account

Sunday, July, 8

Identify that Invasive!
Presented by New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Where: De Veaux State Park, 3180 De Veaux Woods Dr E, Niagara Falls, NY 14305
When: July 8, 10:00 am-11:30 am

Join us at De Veaux Woods State Park to learn to ID common Invasive Species and the impact on your community. We’ll discuss current projects and what YOU can do to help stop their spread!! Please register by calling (716) 282-5154.

WNY PRISM at the Alfred Farmer’s Market
Presented by WNY PRISM
Where: Alfred Village Bandstand, Saxon Dr & S Main St, Alfred, NY 14802
When: July 8, 11:00 am-3:00 pm

Join WNY PRISM at the Alfred Farmer’s Market for their opening weekend and Market Sprouts event. Learn about invasive species, how they impact you, and what YOU can do to stop the spread.

Monday, July, 9

Invasive Species Informational Table
Presented by New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Where: Letchworth State Park, Humphrey Nature Center, 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427
When: July 9, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Join us at the Humphrey Nature Center to learn about invasive species, how they impact you, and what YOU can do to stop the spread.

Vernal Pool Restoration Tour
Hosted by Tifft Nature Preserve
Where: Tifft Nature Preserve, 1200 Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo, NY 14203
When: July 9, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm

Join us for a guided hike led by Zachary Goodrich, Preserve Steward of Tifft Nature Preserve, who will discuss the ongoing invasive species management at the preserve as well as current efforts to restore native flora to the area. This hike will provide you a sneak peek of the restoration area before its opening to the public this fall. Meet at the Tifft Nature Preserve Visitor Center.
Please register here.
Questions can be directed to wnyprism@buffalostate.edu

Invasive Species Plant Pull
Presented by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Where: 1086 South Park Ave, Buffalo, NY 14220
When: July 9, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm

Please join Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper at an invasive species plant pull at the Buffalo River Restoration Site. All volunteers are welcome to join and celebrate Invasive Species Awareness Week!
Please contact Robbyn Drake at rdrake@bnwaterkeeper.org to sign up.

Tuesday, July, 10

Chautauqua Creek Oxbow Forest Preserve Workday
Hosted by Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy
Where: Chautauqua Creek Oxbow Forest Preserve, 8198 Lyons Rd, Sherman, NY 14781
When: July 10, 10:00 am-12:00 pm

Join the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and WNY PRISM for ISAW 2018. This event will include a short tour of the site followed by a volunteer workday to remove the invasive species within the rain garden on site. Anyone can participate. No experience is necessary; we provide on-the-job training. Please bring tools and work gloves if possible as only a short supply will be available.

Please register here.
Questions can be directed to wnyprism@buffalostate.edu.

Invasive Species Volunteer Survey and Data Entry
Presented by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Where: 47 Ensign St, Buffalo, NY 14210
When: July 10, 4:00 pm-6:00 pm

For those with iMap Invasives database or Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF) training, join Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper in surveying at Buffalo River Sites. This event will take place at the Toe of Katherine Street Peninsula.
Please contact Robbyn Drake at rdrake@bnwaterkeeper.org to sign up.

Kayak Tour: Ellicott Creek Ecology
Presented by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Where: East Hill Foundation, 17 Island St, North Tonawanda, NY 14120
When: July 10, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Join Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper during Invasive Species Awareness Week for a kayak tour. Learn about the organisms found in our regions creeks and about their relations to one another and to their physical surroundings.
Physical Intensity: Low to Moderate
Please register here or by contacting Liz Robbe at erobbe@bnwaterkeeper.org.

Wednesday, July, 11

Invasive Species Plant Pull
Presented by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Where: 1339 South Park Ave
When: July 11, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

An Introduction to Chautauqua Lake’s Invasive Aquatic Plants
Presented by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Where: James Prendergast Library, 509 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701
When: July 11, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm

Join Roger Tory Peterson Institute’s Elyse Henshaw for an introduction to the invasive aquatic plants that exist within Chautauqua Lake, Chautauqua County, and the surrounding region, and what can be done to prevent their spread.
Questions can be directed to Elyse Henshaw at ehenshaw@rtpi.org or by calling (716) 665-2473 ext. 231

iMapInvasives App Training
Presented by New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Where: De Veaux Woods State Park, 3180 De Veaux Woods Dr E, Niagara Falls, NY 14305
When: July 11, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm

One of the first steps to understanding the impact or potential impact of invasive species is to know where it occurs. Awareness is our best tool for preventing the spread of invasive species. Join us for a free iMapInvasives Mobile App Training during New York’s 5th annual Invasive Species Awareness Week. Learn how to identify invasive species and how YOU can help stop the spread by sharing your observations through the iMapInvasives App.

Please register by June 27th by contacting Kristin King (OPRHP) at Kristin.King@parks.ny.gov or by calling (716) 299-0813.

Thursday, July, 12

Honeysuckle Harvest
Hosted by Kenneglenn Scenic and Nature Preserve and the Western New York Land Conservancy
Where: Kenneglenn Scenic and Nature Preserve, 11663 Old Strykersville Rd, East Aurora, NY 14052
When: July 12, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

In honor of Invasive Species Awareness Week, the Western New York Land Conservancy is partnering with the Western New York Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) to remove invasives from the Kenneglenn Nature Preserve in Wales. Participants will be removing valerian and woody invasives like honeysuckle. Please bring gloves if you have them. Tools will be supplied.
Lunch will be provided – please alert us to any special dietary needs when you register. Please register here.

Invasive Species Volunteer Survey and Data Entry
Presented by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Where: NYSDEC Ohio Street Boat Launch, 421 Ohio St, Buffalo, NY 14204
When: July 12, 12:00 pm-2:00 pm

Description:For those with iMap Invasives database or Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework (PAMF) training, join Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper in surveying at Buffalo River Sites. This event will take place at the NYSDEC Ohio Street Boat Launch.
Please contact Robbyn Drake at rdrake@bnwaterkeeper.org to sign up.

Alien Invaders
Presentedby New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Where: Evangola State Park, 10191 Old Lake Shore Rd, Irving, NY 14081
When: July 12, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm

Join us at Evangola State Park to celebrate Invasive Species Awareness Week by learning who is invading our state parks and what YOU can do to stop the spread of invasive species. Please register by calling (716) 549-1050.

For more information, visit our website.

Reinstein Woods: Invasive Plants Workday
Hosted by Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
Where: Evangola State Park, 10191 Old Lake Shore Rd, Irving, NY 14081
When: July 12, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm

Help remove invasive plants from Reinstein Woods and learn alternative native species to plant instead. For adults and children ages 12 and older. Please register by calling (716) 683-5959.

For more information, visit our website.

Friday, July, 13

Join us at the Humphrey Nature Center to learn about invasive species, how they impact you, and what YOU can do to stop the spread.

Saturday, July, 14

Invasive Species Carnival
Presented by New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Where: Four Mile Creek State Park, 1055 Lake Rd, Youngstown, NY 14174
When: Saturday, July 14, 9:30 am-11:00 am

Join us at our pop-up Invasive Species Carnival during New York’s 5th Annual Invasive Species Awareness Week. Come play some of your favorite carnival games, win prizes, and learn what YOU can do to stop the spread of invasive species! Questions can be directed to Angelina Weibel at Angelina.Weibel@parks.ny.gov.

Chautauqua Lake’s Invasive Aquatic Plants; Citizen Scientist Field Training
Hosted by the Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Where: Roger Tory Peterson Institute, 311 Curtis St, Jamestown, NY 14701
When: July 14, 10:00 am-4:00 pm

Are you interested in becoming a better steward of Chautauqua Lake and getting out on the water for a fun and informative day? Please consider attending this day-long training session during which attendees will have the opportunity to:
• Gain knowledge of the various invasive aquatic plants impacting Chautauqua Lake and other water bodies within Chautauqua County and the surrounding region;
• Gain familiarity with iMapInvasives, the statewide reporting database for invasive species;
• Learn how to operate a hand-held GPS unit and
• Utilize newly learned identification skills on the water.

Kayaks will be provided, at no charge, by Evergreen Outfitters. A brief kayak safety lesson will be included.
Please RSVP for this event by the end of the day Tuesday, July, 10 by emailing Elyse Henshaw at ehenshaw@rtpi.org or by calling (716) 665-2473 ext. 231. Please include your name, phone number, and whether you need a kayak or would prefer to bring your own. If you do need a kayak, please also provide your height and weight so you can be properly fit for a boat and personal floatation device by Evergreen Outfitters. Class size is limited to 15 and lunch is BYO.

Invasive Species Plant Pull
Presented by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper
Where: 1086 South Park Ave
When: Saturday, July 14, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

Invasive Species Carnival
Presented by New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Where: Beaver Island State Park
When: Saturday, July 14, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm

Join us at our pop-up Invasive Species Carnival by the beach during New York’s 5th Annual Invasive Species Awareness Week. Come play some of your favorite carnival games, win prizes, and learn what YOU can do to stop the spread of invasive species! Questions can be directed to Angelina Weibel at Angelina.Weibel@parks.ny.gov.

Buffalo Science Festival
Hosted by Science Demands Action
Where: Canalside, 44 Prime St, Buffalo, NY 14202
When: Saturday, July 14, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm

Join WNY PRISM and over 30 WNY organizations at the Buffalo Science Festival hosted by Science Demands Action. The theme for the festival will be “How can Science help you? How can you help science?” There will be demonstrations, hands-on activities, and informational displays addressing these questions.

Reinstein Woods: Aliens!
Presented by Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
Where: Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve, 93 Honorine Drive, Depew, NY 14043
When: Saturday, July 14, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm

Are there visitors from outer space in Reinstein Woods? No, just plants and animals that have been introduced from other parts of the world. Join a guided tour to meet some of these alien invaders. Please register by calling (716) 683-5959. For more information, visit our website.

Sunday, July, 15

Invasive Species Carnival
Presented by New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Where: Buffalo Harbor State Park, 1111 Fuhrmann Blvd. Buffalo, NY 14203
When: Saturday, July 14, 12:00 pm-3:00 pm

Join us at our pop-up Invasive Species Carnival by the playground during New York’s 5th Annual Invasive Species Awareness Week. Come play some of your favorite carnival games, win prizes, and learn what YOU can do to stop the spread of invasive species! Questions can be directed to Angelina Weibel at Angelina.Weibel@parks.ny.gov.