New York Invasive Species Awareness Week 2026

New York Invasive Species Awareness Week 2026

Monday, June 8 – Sunday, June 14, 2026

WNY PRISM is celebrating New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (NYISAW) with several events and opportunities to learn about invasive species and steps all of us can take to protect our local aquatic and terrestrial resources. Check out what we have planned below – we hope you can join us! 

NYISAW is an annual event that promotes opportunities for community members to learn about invasive species, how they threaten our environment, economy, and health, and ways to manage these species through education, prevention and removal.

For questions about any of the events below, please email wnyprism@buffalostate.edu or call (716) 878-4708.

To find out about events happening across the state, please visit the official New York Invasive Species Awareness Week 2026 page. 

Saturday, June 6

Trail Survey Training

9:30 AM – 12:00 PM; Letchworth State Park

Leading up to NYISAW, WNY PRISM will be hosting our annual Trail Survey Training! If you enjoy hiking in western New York and want to turn your time on the trails into meaningful conservation work, then this is for you! Join WNY PRISM’s Trail Survey Program and help map invasive species while spending time outdoors. Your observations will contribute to regional data that supports invasive species management and the protection of native ecosystems.

Register here: bit.ly/2026TrailSurveyTraining

Monday, June 8 – Sunday, June 14

Trail Survey Challenge: Put Your Training into Action!

After attending our Trail Survey Training at Letchworth State Park — or if you joined a previous year’s training — we invite you to take the next step during New York Invasive Species Awareness Week by participating in our Trail Survey Challenge!

This is your chance to turn your hiking time into meaningful conservation action. Grab your gear, choose your favorite trail and start surveying for invasive species. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just getting started, every observation you collect helps protect western New York’s natural ecosystems.

How it works:

• Visit any trail in western New York during NYISAW
• Survey for and document invasive species
• Submit your observations using the methods covered in training
• Help build valuable data that informs real conservation efforts

Why participate?
Your efforts contribute directly to regional invasive species management, support native biodiversity, and help conservation professionals prioritize their work. Plus, it’s a great excuse to get outside and explore!

Let’s make an impact — one trail at a time.

Tuesday, June 9

Walk and Talk

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM; Akron Falls Park

Join WNY PRISM and Erie County Parks, Recreation & Forestry to learn about invasive species and see firsthand how our partnership works to protect native landscapes throughout the park.

Register here: bit.ly/2026WalkAndTalkSeries

Thursday, June 11

Green Drinks: NYISAW Edition

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM; duende at Silo City

Celebrate New York Invasive Species Awareness Week with a casual social gathering! Meet local environmental folks, connect with your community and learn how we can protect WNY’s ecosystems — together.

This event is hosted by WNY PRISM and Buffalo Green Drinks.

Saturday, June 13

Letchworth Stewardship Day

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM; Letchworth State Park

Help protect our lands from invasive species! Join WNY PRISM and the Friends of Letchworth State Park for our 9th Annual Letchworth Stewardship Day where we we’ll work together to remove slender false brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum), an invasive grass, from the park.

Registration is required.

Register here: bit.ly/2026VolunteerWorkdays

Sunday, June 14

Alfred Community Farmers Market

11:00 AM – 2:00 PM; Alfred Village Bandstand

As we wrap up New York Invasive Species Awareness Week (#NYISAW), WNY PRISM will be tabling at the Alfred Community Farmers Market in Allegany County. Stop by to learn about invasive species, including key species to watch for, how to get involved, and simple steps you can take to prevent their spread. We’ll also have a hands-on demo showing how invasive species move and what you can do to stop them. Kids’ activities will be available too — come say hello!