Calendar of Events

Presented by: Ken Donnelly, Beyond Attitude Consulting

In 2018 the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources hired the consulting team of Azentive and Beyond Attitude Consulting to evaluate Aquatic Invasive Species(AIS) pathways. The work included identifying human behaviours that could reduce the spread of AIS through those pathways. An extensive literature review was conducted, and an expert panel was convened to identify and rank behaviours that could reduce the risks of AIS spread by people. Through targeted surveys and engagement with stakeholders, the factors that are important to a successful program to change behaviours in Minnesota were identified. The factors include existing attitudes and awareness about the risk of invasive species, the likelihood of adoption of preventive behaviours, barriers that may prevent some people from taking action and what might motivate them to take those actions. The results will inform the development of behaviour change programs across Minnesota.

Please register in advance.

Join experts from Audubon Connecticut and Audubon New York to learn about:

• Why healthy wetland ecosystems are critical for resident and migratory species.
• The secret behind "secretive marsh birds" and other wetland wildlife.
• How our work on-the-ground improves water quality and restores habitat.

REGISTER HERE.

Join the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) to learn how you can help protect local ecosystems while enjoying the great outdoors this fall. This workshop will cover best practices for hikers, campers and mountain bikers to be responsible stewards of the lands they love, while also being on the lookout for top invasive species out on the trail. Please register in advance.

The pandemic prevents us from holding our 20th in-person festival, so instead we are holding a 20-day-long celebration: the 20-2020 Festival. We invite you to get outside, learn more about our long-term festival partners, and partake in online versions of “festival favorites.” There’s something for everyone!

Several 20-day challenges are available to participate in, including Get Outdoors Challenge, Sustainability Challenge, and 20 Partners in 20 Days. 

More information and registration for challenges available HERE.

Hypena opulenta, the biocontrol used forswallow-wort, was released at several locations in the Thousand Islands Regionthis year.  This webcast will focus on the initial results of thesereleases. 

A  Zoom link and additional details are forthcoming.

To join the ELOSC list-serve:

1. Email: cce-jc-swallowwortcollab-l-request@cornell.edu

2. Enter the word “join” (without the quotes) in the “Subject”line and leave the body of the e-mail blank

3. Send

How do you get started incorporating native plants into your yard?  One easy way is to collect native seeds and overwinter them to start your own plants.  Join Angela Monaghan, Rutgers Master Gardener Coordinator for Middlesex County to learn the ins and outs of native seed collection and sowing seeds for next year's garden.Please register in advance.

The DEC is considering changes to the entire series of pesticide regulations contained in Parts 320 through 329.

DEC will facilitate a discussion of potential changes to the regulations, including a brief summary of the revisions to the Federal Certification of Pesticide Applicators rule that was finalized by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), effective March 6, 2017, and the revised certification and training plans submitted to EPA on March 3, 2020. In addition, DEC will discuss potential changes to current pesticide regulations concerning pesticide applicator certification & training, business registrations and commercial permits, pesticide use, aquatic pesticides, and the registration of minimum risk pesticides. These webinars will also include information on a proposed rule which will limit the sale, use, and possession of pesticide products containing the active ingredient Chlorpyrifos.

DEC encourages stakeholders to take this opportunity to hear about the potential revisions, express views, provide input, and participate in a collaborative effort to develop a comprehensive set of regulations.

You are required to pre-register. Click on one of the links below to pre-register for the online webinar using Webex.

September 22 

Fact sheets, slide presentations, and a comment form (PDF - 36 KB) will be available on DEC's website for those who are interested in participating in the process. In addition to participating in one of the webinars, stakeholder input for pesticides regulations should also be submitted by email to pestregs@dec.ny.gov. You may also provide input regarding aquatic pesticides regulations to AQpestregs@dec.ny.gov.

A virtual workshop hosted by Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve. Discover plants that can attract birds and beneficial insects to your yard, while also adding beauty.  

Register HERE.

Hosted by NE Regional Invasive Species and Climate Change network. 

Join presenters Tony D'Amato and Amanda Mahaffey for a presentation on ash tree conservation efforts.

REGISTER HERE 
 
The invasive emerald ash borer (EAB) has spread extensively over the past two decades, threatening the cultural and ecological values of ash species across over two-thirds of the US and large portions of Canada. In response to this novel threat, communities of foresters, tribal members, forest health specialists, and scientists have developed in various regions to honor and better understand the cultural and ecological role of ash species in our forests, as well as to develop ecologically-sound adaptation strategies. This webinar will highlight outgrowths of these efforts in the northeastern US and Lake States, particularly in relation to forests with significant black ash and white ash components.

Join the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program (APIPP) to learn how you can help prevent the spread of invasive species this hunting season. This workshop will cover best prevention practices for sportsmen and sportswomen planning to boat, hike and camp while also teaching how to be on the lookout for top invasive forest pests. Helping report target species is the number one way to deploy rapid response teams that protect Adirondack trees from emerging invasive species.
Please register in advance.

JoinFinger Lakes ReLeaf for a webinar on the outbreak of gypsy moth this year featuring speakers fromDEC's Invasive Species and Forest Health group. They will also discuss thebiology and physiology of stress responses in trees with Finger Lakes CommunityCollege professor Shawn Kenaley, and what you can for your trees with ArboristNoreen Riordan. Full agenda will be emailed to registrants a few days beforethe event.

Thiswebinar is approved for the following continuing education credits: CNLP (1.25credits), DEC Pesticide applicator category 10, 2, 3a, 25, and 9 (0.75credits), SAF (2 credits), ISA credits pending.

Registration for this webinar is required, click here to register in WebEx.

Contact: Christina McLaughlin at urbanforestry@dec.ny.gov for questions.   

This webinar will be presented by Shana Bird, Dawes Arboretum.

Please register in advance.

Prairie was once a dominant grassland ecosystem, coveringmillions of hectares in the United States. Today, this unique habitat is amongthe most critically endangered biomes in North America. While eastern deciduousforest was the historical cover throughout most of Ohio, small pockets of theoriginal prairie peninsula habitat existed in the state.  Restoring thediversity of these former ecosystems is a worthwhile goal that supports thesensitive wildlife that depend on them. Several studies on mine lands havesupported the survival of native species following reclamation efforts and haveled to insight on how this approach can be applied to rehabilitate otherchallenging landscapes, including urban areas, rural agricultural land, utilityright-of-ways and roadsides post-construction. A five year study is underway atThe Dawes Arboretum in Newark, Ohio to explore the practice of using nativespecies in seed mixes to restore diversity on electric utility linerights-of-way. Many perennial species in the native seed mix will mature slowlyand therefore were not expected to be present in the initial years ofevaluation. However, in 2019 (year 3 of the study), 84% of the species in thenative seed mix (22 of 26 species) were recorded as successfully establishedwithin the study plots. Biological surveys indicate a variety of insectsutilize the plots, including 33 butterfly species, 16 beneficial insectfamilies, and 14 bee taxa (either genera or families). Preliminary resultssupport the use of native seed mixes to enhance species diversity withinchallenging landscapes, while also restoring an imperiled ecosystem. Thereforethe application of native seed mixes should be strongly considered as analternative post-construction ecological restoration method that createsregionally native habitat, increases native biodiversity, as well as ecosystemfunction, more so than the conventional non-native seeding options onceconsidered the only standard practice. 

The Department of the Interior has released the draft of its strategic plan for invasive species management. The draft Plan is now available for public review. Join one of the upcoming teleconference listening sessions to provide input.
RSVP by Monday, September 21; 5:00 PM.
Register HERE.
Written comments will be accepted until Friday, October 9; 11:59 PM.

Press release HERE.
Draft Plan HERE.

Description:The Department of the Interior has released the draft of its strategic plan for invasive species management. The draft Plan is now available for public review. Join one of the upcoming teleconference listening sessions to provide input.
RSVP by Monday, September 21; 5:00 PM.
Register HERE.
Written comments will be accepted until Friday, October 9; 11:59 PM.

Press release HERE.
Draft Plan HERE.  

Part 1 of a 3 part series hosted by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Dutchess Land Conservancy. 

Sessions will be held on September 30, October 7, and October 14. RSVP required, free and open to all. 

Learn how to improve wildlife habitat, reduce conflicts between people and wildlife, set wildlife management goals, and promote wise wildlife stewardship now and for future generations  

Session 1 will cover:
+Wildlife: An ecological perspective
+Management plans: why and how to develop one
+Using trail cameras to identify wildlife 

Register HERE. Additional information found through registration page.