Report an Invasive Species
wnyprism@buffalostate.edu
(716) 878.4708
Groups across western New York are hosting activities during New York State’s 4th Annual Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW), July 9 – 15, 2017. Some of the greatest harm to our environment is caused by invasive plants and animals – organisms that have been accidentally or intentionally introduced to new areas and spread uncontrollably. ISAW promotes opportunities for citizens to learn about invasive species, about ways to prevent their spread, and about ways to manage infestations. Everyone is encouraged to participate in Awareness Week activities, to learn about important steps to take to protect our local terrestrial and aquatic natural resources. This year’s theme is “Invasive Species Reality Check: Where We Are & Where We Need to Go.” A lot of progress has been made over the past few years, but we still need your help to stop the spread!
WNY PRISM is starting off ISAW a bit early this year with an Aquatic Invasive Species Management Workshop being held in Hamburg on Thursday, July 6th. Join WNY PRISM and our Partners for this event, as well as the many other events planned throughout the week. We’ll finish up our celebration of ISAW with a documentary screening of Making Waves: Battle for The Great Lakes.
For more information on ISAW and events happening throughout the state, visit www.stoptheinvasionny.com, or for a more local view, visit our events calendar.
Western New York – Invasive Species Awareness Week (ISAW 2017) Events
Aquatic Invasive Species Management Workshop
Join WNY PRISM, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Buffalo District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and NYS Parks for an Aquatic Invasive Species Management Workshop. This free workshop will include information on aquatic invasive species (threats, ecology, identification), invasive species management methods including surveys, control, and prevention, and will include an update and overview of the Tonawanda Creek/Erie Canal Hydrilla Control Demonstration Project. In addition, we will provide an introduction to iMapInvasives, an online invasive species mapping tool and database, as well as have an optional iMap field session after the workshop. We hope to see you there!
Where: Seaway Trail Visitor Center, 4968 Lakeshore Rd., Hamburg, NY 14075
When: Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (noon)*
*optional iMapInvasives field session will begin at noon
For more information and to register for this event, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aquatic-invasive-species-workshop-tickets-35206136502
Monday, July 10, 2017
Aquatic Invasive Species Display at Ellicott Creek Park
Date/Time: Monday, July 10, 2017; 8:30am – 4:30pm
Location: Ellicott Creek Park, Tonawanda, NY 14120, USA
WNY PRISM is partnering with the US Army Corps of Engineers – Buffalo District, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and NYS DEC to conduct a pre-treatment survey for the Tonawanda Creek/Erie Canal Hydrilla Demonstration Project. While the Crews are in the water, the rest of us will be at an information table at the nearby park. We’ll be sharing information to anyone interested in aquatic invasive species and discussing the demonstration project.
Alien Invasions: A Brief Environmental History of Forest Pests
Date/Time: Monday, July 10, 2017; 10:30am – 11:30am
Location: 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427
Have you ever seen a dead or dying tree along the roadside, in a park, or even in your own backyard? Aliens may have invaded that tree! Find out more during a 20-minute environmental story about invasive species in our parks and forests. Then enjoy a 30-minute guided walk on the Humphrey Nature Center grounds to see tree species that are vulnerable to invasive insects, such as the emerald ash borer. This event is suitable for all audiences, and there will be an activity for younger school-aged children during the presentation. For more information, please contact Jim Kernan (kernan@geneseo.edu, SUNY Geneseo Department of Geography).
This event will take place at the Humphrey Nature Center at Letchworth State Park in Castile, NY.
Tuesday, July 11, 2017
Yellow Flag Iris Removal/Volunteer Workday
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 11, 2017; 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Furman Preserve of The Nature Sanctuary Society of WNY
The Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York will be working with volunteers to remove Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus) from Furman Preserve. Yellow flag iris is an invasive species, a non-native species that can cause significant harm to the environment. This invasive species currently has a small foothold in the preserve, and it is very important for us to remove the species before it becomes a larger problem.
Volunteers will assist the Nature Sanctuary Society of Western New York with the manual removal of yellow flag iris. Yellow flag iris grows in water, so rubber boots are recommended. Rubber gloves or gardening gloves are also advised, as some people may experience some minor skin irritation from contact with the plants roots (rhizomes). All other tools will be provided. Please bring water and lunch.
After the work is done, we’ll visit the unique fen habitat the Furman Preserve protects, and discuss its formation and specialized plants.
For more information, to sign-up and get directions, please contact Jacqueline Courtney Swift: jcourtneyswift@aol.com or (716) 532-6022. Registration is limited.
Noontime Seminar: Invasive Species – How to Choose Your Battles
Date/Time: Tuesday, July 11, 2017; 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Location: Webcast (Listen in from your computer)
Dr. Stuart Findlay is a Senior Scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY. He received his PhD from the University of Georgia. Dr. Findlay has conducted research on a wide variety of aquatic ecosystems including streams, lakes, large rivers and wetlands with a specific focus on the Hudson River. In the Hudson he helped implement the Hudson River Environmental Observing System, a network of real-time water quality sensors. He currently serves on several Advisory Committees including the Hudson River Estuary Management Committee for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the EPA’s Long Island Sound Science and Technical Advisory Committee. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the Society of Freshwater Science and he is the Editor-in-Chief for Aquatic Sciences. He has a strong interest in extending his own research to practitioners and multiple stake-holders and frequently participates in workshops addressing specific real-world problems.
A link to the live web cast will be posted here as we get closer to the event.
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
iMapInvasives Training Workshop
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 12, 2017; 10:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1101 Casey Road, Basom, NY 14013
This free workshop offers a great opportunity for teaching the public how to use iMapInvasives. IMapInvasives is an incredibly helpful tool for tracking and identifying invasive species within our area, which leads to better management practices and a healthier environment overall.
Pre-registration is required by June 30th, 2017. To register, please contact Eli Polzer at eli_polzer@fws.gov; (585) 948-5445 extension 7056. Also, see the flier attachment for a complete look at the workshop’s schedule and for additional information.
Forests In Danger: The Invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 12, 2017; 10:30am – 11:30pm
Location: 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427
How can the iconic eastern hemlock forests be in danger? Join us for the short film “The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid: A Film About the Loss of an Ecosystem” and find out about this invasive pest. After the film screening, take a walk with us and help inspect hemlocks near the Humphrey Nature Center for signs of this unwanted invader. This event is suitable for all audiences. For more information, please contact Suann Yang (yang@geneseo.edu, SUNY Geneseo Biology Department).
This event will take place at the Humphrey Nature Center at Letchworth State Park in Castile, NY.
Hike and Strike @ Whirlpool State Park
Date/Time: Wednesday, July 12, 2017; 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Whirlpool State Park – Natural History Room, Robert Moses State Parkway, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
Come learn about invasive species and work alongside the Niagara Region FORCES Invasive Species Management Steward and the NYS Parks Invasive Species Strike Team as they hike, identify and control shrubby invasives along the rim trail downstream of the majestic Niagara Falls. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Meg Janis meg.janis@parks.ny.gov
Thursday, July 13, 2017
Honeysuckle Harvest
Date/Time: Thursday, July 13, 2017; 10:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Kenneglenn Scenic and Nature Preserve, 11663 Old Strykersville Rd, East Aurora, NY 14052, USA
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 (a plant that typically bears clusters of small pink or white flowers) 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.
Registration is free! Please register before the 11th of July. You can register by following this link: https://2017honeysuckleharvest.eventbrite.com.
For more information visit: https://wnylc.org/get-involved/events/
Knotweed Knock Out
Date/Time: Thursday, July 13, 2017; 10:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Beaver Island State Park, 2136 Oakfield Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072, USA
Come help NYS Parks Invasive Species Strike Team control japanese knotweed around the historic River Lea House. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Meg Janis meg.janis@parks.ny.gov
Friday, July 14, 2017
Franklin Gulf Volunteer Workday
Date/Time: Friday, July 14, 2017; 9:00am – 12:00pm
Location: Franklin Gulf County Park, North Collins, NY 14111, USA
Come join our efforts at Franklin Gulf to manage invasive plants such as japanese barberry, multi-flora rose and honeysuckle. Invasive species are non-native species that compete against the natives in an ecosystem. They can do great harm to the environment’s health overall. By helping us remove these invasive pests, you will be helping us fight the battle to save our local ecosystem!
For more information and to register, contact Nick Ransbury, WNY PRISM Education and Outreach Assistant at wnyprism@buffalostate.edu
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Project Wild America: Jamestown Farmers Market Display
Date/Time: Saturday, July 15, 2017; 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location: Cherry St. (between 2nd & 3rd Streets), Jamestown, NY 14701
The Project Wild America Youth Ambassadors will be at the Jamestown Farmers Market! Come visit their table to learn about invasive species impacting our region’s agricultural and natural areas as well as what each of us can do to help reduce the impacts of these species. Students will have materials available as well as activities for market goers to have some fun as they learn about these various species.
Hike and Strike @ Letchworth State Park
Date/Time: Saturday, July 15, 2017; 1:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Letchworth State Park, Humphrey Nature Center, 1 Letchworth State Park, Castile, NY 14427
Come learn about invasive species and work alongside the FORCES and the SUNY Geneseo Invasive Species Steward as they hike, identify and control invasives along a trail. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Meg Janis meg.janis@parks.ny.gov
Making Waves: Battle for Great Lakes Documentary & Panel
Date/Time: Saturday, July 15, 2017; 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: SUNY Buffalo State, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo NY 14222
A documentary will be screened on Buffalo State’s campus focusing on aquatic invasive species that are taking over the Great Lakes, as well as the efforts that are being conducted in order to manage them. The film’s run time is 110 mins. After the screening, a discussion panel will follow for the remaining hour as well as some refreshments. Some of the panelists included are Alexander Karatayev, Director Great Lakes Center, and Andrea Locke, Coordinator for the WNY Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management.
If you’re interested in attending this free screening and panel discussion, please contact wnyprism@buffalostate.edu for more information and to register.