Invasive Species Awareness Week Recap

New York State’s 2nd Annual Invasive Species Awareness Week

2015 NYS ISAW – Community First Detector Training at SUNY Fredonia – Epicormic Branching: photo credit WNY PRISM

WNY PRISM would like to thank our Partners and participants in the 2nd Annual New York Invasive Species Awareness Week. WNY hosted successful programs including the Community First Detector Invasive Pest Detection Workshop presented by the National Plant Diagnostic Network. This one day program featured speakers Rachel LaMorte McCarthy (NDPN & CCE), who covered pests and pathogens including spotted lanternfly, and oak wilt. Mark Whitmore (Cornell University) presented on hemlock woolly adelgid and thousand cankers disease. Dana Seymour from the USDA APHIS PPQ presented information on the emerald ash borer and Asian longhorned beetle and LeRoy Whilby joined us from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and presented on collaborating agencies and their roles. Each program participant was provided with field ID kits and collection supplies, and will submit at least two samples or negative responses from surveys. For more information on the National Pest Diagnostic Network head here: www.npdn.org

2015 NYS ISAW Native Planting and Habitat Tour – native wetland planting at Tifft Nature Preserve: photo credit WNY PRISM

WNY PRISM hosted the Native Planting and Habitat Restoration Tour with our Partners at Tifft Nature Preserve, Erie County, and Buffalo Niagara RiverKeeper. Over 15 participants toured 5 different sites to learn about invasive species management techniques, identification of invasive species and restoration initiatives in these areas. Site tours were given by teams of staff from multiple partnering agencies at RiverBend, Tifft Nature Preserve, Seneca Bluffs, Oxbow Wetland and Times Beach Nature Preserve. Participants were each provided with a copy of Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper’s Guide to Native Plants for Your Garden.

WNY PRISM also partnered with the Western New York Land Conservancy. Fifteen volunteers joined together for the Kenneglenn Scenic and Nature Preserve Volunteer Work Day. Volunteers learned how to identify invasive honeysuckles and manually removed approximately ¼ of an acre of the invasive plant using weed wrenches, loppers and hand pulling. Volunteers were treated with invasive species cupcakes after a hard day in the field.

Overall, 50 people attended these workshops and events and over 5,400 individuals were directly contacted by email, newsletter, and social media. This doesn’t include those who were reached through WNY PRISM and DEC press releases, mainstream media or each of you sharing our events. Program participants reported that their knowledge of invasive species, impacts, identification, and management of invasive species increased. All evaluation responders felt confident in taking action to combat invasive species on their own properties or through education efforts and made valuable commentary to contribute to future programs and events. It’s not too early to start brainstorming ideas for next year’s Invasive Species Awareness Week. WNY PRISM is happy to partner with you for future programs and events.

2015 Native Planting & Habitat Tour – Buffalo Niagara RiverKeeper RiverBend Site. photo credit: WNY PRISM

Your support and commitment to invasive species education and management in Western New York is central to our Partnership. Please make sure to visit our calendar of events to keep up to date on events in your area. As always, please let us know of any events you may be planning. It is through our continued Partnership that we are able to respond and act together to decrease the impact of invasive species throughout WNY.

Thank you again for making ISAW a success, and here’s looking forward to next year!