Spring 2026 Partner Meeting

WNY PRISM Spring Partner Meeting

Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM

SUNY Fredonia Science Center

Kelly Family Auditorium (Room 105), Science Drive, Fredonia, NY 14063

Optional: Guided tour of Royal Fern Nursery after the meeting

Photo Credit: Royal Fern Nursery

Event Overview

Join WNY PRISM and regional partners for our Spring Partner Meeting. This gathering provides an opportunity to connect, share updates, and learn about invasive species management efforts and ecological restoration initiatives across western New York.

On the Program

Welcome

Andrea Locke, Coordinator, WNY PRISM

Partner Updates

Hear from partners about recent accomplishments, upcoming projects for the 2026 field season and more!

Guest Speakers

Twan Leenders, Director of Conservation, Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy

After starry stonewort was detected in Chautauqua Lake in 2023 through the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy’s Aquatic Invasive Species early detection and rapid response program, a series of collaborative pilot removal and habitat restoration efforts were launched—work that continues to evolve in 2026. In this presentation, Twan Leenders, CWC Director of Conservation, will share lessons from tackling this exceptionally challenging invader and highlight other ongoing initiatives aimed at protecting and restoring the ecological health of the region’s watersheds.

Dr. Jonathan Townsend, Royal Fern Nursery LLC

Join Dr. Jonathan Townsend from Royal Fern Nursery LLC for a presentation about the importance of native plants. He will discuss what native plants are and the many benefits they provide to human and natural environments. The program will also cover general guidelines on gardening with native plants from the residential to restoration scale, including basic plant lists for different growing conditions.

Wrap Up

Andrea Locke, Coordinator, WNY PRISM

Logistics

Registration

To help us get a headcount and ensure the room is set up properly, registration is greatly appreciated. Please register for the Spring Partner Meeting here.

Parking

Parking is available in the lot behind the SUNY Fredonia Science Center. This lot is labelled 16 on the SUNY Fredonia Campus Parking Map. Parking passes are not required.

Optional Tour Details

Location: Royal Fern Nursery, 8888 Glasgow Road, Fredonia, NY 14063

If you plan to attend the tour, you are invited to bring your lunch and gather at Royal Fern Nursery’s Botany Barn — a great chance to connect with fellow partners before the tour begins!

Tour start time: 12:45 PM
Location: Botany Barn, then onto the trails
What to expect: Wet and potentially muddy conditions
What to bring/wear: Appropriate outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear

Please note that the tour includes uneven and potentially slippery surfaces, so participants should use caution.

Photo Credit: Royal Fern Nursery